Freight routing

[Lewisham2221]

Over the past couple of months I seem to have noticed an increased amount of freight traffic over the lines through Stoke-on-Trent.

Firstly, does anybody know if this is an actual increase in traffic or have I, for whatever reason, just noticed this level of traffic until now?

Secondly, if it is an actual increase in traffic, does it have anything to do with the closure of the line between Crewe and Cheadle Hulme?

 

[David]

Some of it will be the Intermodal flows to/from Trafford Park, but as for the rest of it, no idea....

 

[clagmonster]

Yes, many flow will be diverted services from Crewe-Cheadle, for example Trafford Park intermodals. Also, I suppose it is possible that some WCML traffic could run via Stocke now Longport-Crewe is electrified, however I see that as unlikeley as Norton Bridge-Crew is 4-track throughout. I don't know of any new services to anywhere in the Stoke area.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Yeah cheers guys. It is mainly intermodal stuff I've seen so it makes sense really.

 

[Guinness]

Early morning Intermodal comes through even when the Wilmslow Line is open. Problem is with the Colwich Line is the 2 tracking from Hixon Lines - Cheadle Hulme means more freight would slow up XC and WC and Northern already do that mainly near Adlington on the southbound line.