Lydd Aggregate Train Trial 10/02/15

[Lew]

Hi there,

Thought i'd share some photos of the trail we did with a DB 66, 9 KAE's at the new Lydd loading pad. After running around in the loop at Lydd station and positioning to the loading pad.

The trial was a complete success and more trains and now planned for the not to far away future!

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4wYJyYklgQ

Many Thanks,

L.

 

[yorksrob]

There looks to be some rather new trackwork on the branch, which is good news !

 

[Tubeboy]

Great news!

 

[dysonsphere]

Nive vid, just how long does it take to load the full rake with 1 machine like the one there using there

 

[aylesbury]

Were does the agregate come from is it from the beach or other source?

 

[sbt]

Were does the agregate come from is it from the beach or other source?

There is an active gravel working nearby. You can see it on Google Maps.

 

[Lew]

Hi Chaps,

The aggregate is coming from the very field the shovel is working from, they dug up that stockpile about 3 years ago but then NR put the line upgrade back so the trials never happened.

If you look here: https://goo.gl/maps/H8InR you can see the stockpile in the top centerish by the line (note, no loading pad yet) and the actual hole they dug with the grassed over ramp.

Each wagon took 75t and it was approx 10 minutes a wagon to fill. We only loaded 8 out of the 9 due to problems at Cliffe, the next train will be 18 wagons (max for the loop).

 

[DarloRich]

Does that line usually only see a sporadic flask train?

 

[Lew]

Yes, the odd Pathfinder but thats it.

They've been operating flasks on a Tuesday and Thursday just recently, but now back to one a week on a Thurday, todays arriving 1000 as 675Q and departed 1648 as 684Y

 

[DarloRich]

They've been operating on a Tuesday and Thursday just recently, but now back to one a week on a Thurday, todays arriving 1000 as 675Q and departed 1648 as 684Y

thanks! should be easy to find a path for the aggregates train then!

 

[Lew]

thanks! should be easy to find a path for the aggregates train then!

Yep quite easy, whilst loading the line is under token and cannot be entered from Appledore until the train is clear. DBS/NR are not allowed down the line if there is a flask present/due.

 

[D1009]

There looks to be some rather new trackwork on the branch, which is good news !

Are those traditional looking level crossing gates actually new?

 

[Lew]

Yep, brand new!

 

[DelW]

After running around in the loop at Lydd station and positioning to the loading pad.

Thanks, Lew, very interesting posts. Was the loop you're referring to put in specially for this traffic? From memory of a rail tour on the branch a few years ago, the only loop was at the flask loading point and that was quite short.

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks, Lew, very interesting posts. Was the loop you're referring to put in specially for this traffic? From memory of a rail tour on the branch a few years ago, the only loop was at the flask loading point and that was quite short.

it is a new loop for freight traffic irc

 

[sprinterguy]

They've been operating flasks on a Tuesday and Thursday just recently, but now back to one a week on a Thurday, todays arriving 1000 as 675Q and departed 1648 as 684Y

Actual headcodes 6O62 and 6M95 respectively, for what it’s worth.

Seems that DB Schenker are getting quite good at sending out appropriately corporate liveried locos for first time trials (they did similar with the reconnection of Sunderland’s South Dock branch recently).

 

[yorksrob]

Thanks, Lew, very interesting posts. Was the loop you're referring to put in specially for this traffic? From memory of a rail tour on the branch a few years ago, the only loop was at the flask loading point and that was quite short.

The loop in question was at Lydd Town station by the down platform (demolished on closure) and was removed a few years back. I think a new loop may have been built for this train?

 

[Lew]

The loop in question was at Lydd Town station by the down platform (demolished on closure) and was removed a few years back. I think a new loop may have been built for this train?

Yes correct, was put back in and all the bridges on the line strengthened to take the new trains.

On the subject of Corporate livery, a new liveried loco was requested on the job as a DBS Photographer was on hand also to snap away.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Where is the flow destined, please ?

 

[Lew]

Brett Aggregates, Cliffe.

 

[fergusjbend]

What route does it take to Cliffe? Unless it detours via Tonbridge and Grove Park, it must involve at least one reversal.

Also, when does it run?

Fergus

 

[yorksrob]

Yes correct, was put back in and all the bridges on the line strengthened to take the new trains.

Ah, thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Lew]

What route does it take to Cliffe? Unless it detours via Tonbridge and Grove Park, it must involve at least one reversal.

Also, when does it run?

Fergus

Yep, Tonbridge, Grovepark, Sidcup, Dartford, Gravesend, Hoo Jcn, Cliffe.

As of yet, nothing.. waiting on NR now.