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Rail Freight Flows and News UK

Freightmaster

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Apologies if this appears elsewhere, but does anyone know why certain MGR workings from The North East (mainly to Drax) are running with 42 wagons rather than the usual 22? There's usually a dead loco in tow, too.
As I understand it, it's being done to reduce the number of trains (and most importantly in the
current emergency situation, traincrew) required to deliver the contracted tonnage at a time when
there a loads of spare locos available due to virus related traffic falls in other sectors, particularly construction.


MARK
 
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OGLO

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As I understand it, it's being done to reduce the number of trains (and most importantly in the
current emergency situation, traincrew) required to deliver the contracted tonnage at a time when
there a loads of spare locos available due to virus related traffic falls in other sectors, particularly construction.


MARK
Thanks. It's notable that it's not every train, and the wagons appear to be a fairly scruffy "scratch" set , some bearing the remains of National Power livery. I live next to the line south of Eaglescliffe South, so get the chance to watch closely.
 

Meerkat

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Is length less of an issue at the moment as the reduced services mean they can run straight through without needing loops?
 

hwl

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Is length less of an issue at the moment as the reduced services mean they can run straight through without needing loops?
With fewer trains being a bit slower isn't an issue either.

Might longer trains be easier given the current Drax access issues (landslip)?

Energy use is down about 15% currently but Drax still seems to run flat out, but it isn't too windy.
 

Freightmaster

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Thanks. It's notable that it's not every train, and the wagons appear to be a fairly scruffy "scratch" set , some bearing the remains of National Power livery.
For clarification, those are coal trains from Redcar to/from Scunthorpe steel works, operated by DB,
not MGR (i.e. biomass) trains to Drax, which are operated by GBRf and I am pretty sure are still running
at their normal length with one loco.



MARK
 

Greybeard33

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For clarification, those are coal trains from Redcar to/from Scunthorpe steel works, operated by DB,
not MGR (i.e. biomass) trains to Drax, which are operated by GBRf and I am pretty sure are still running
at their normal length with one loco.



MARK
GBRf operates the biomass trains from Liverpool Biomass Terminal to Drax Aes. But DB Cargo operates the biomass trains from Immingham Biomass Terminal to Drax Power Station. This diversity of routes and operators gives Drax some protection against supply chain disruption.
 

OGLO

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Thanks for the clarification and correction, folks.

Just for the record, trains pass Eaglescliffe with coal (not just biomass) for Drax. I can see into the wagons from my upstairs window!
 

Freightmaster

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Just for the record, trains pass Eaglescliffe with coal (not just biomass) for Drax. I can see into the wagons from my upstairs window!
That's an interesting development - as far as I was aware, there haven't been coal trains from Tyne Dock
to Drax for many years; in fact I wasn't aware of coal trains running to Drax from anywhere for a couple
of months now, following the cessation of the weekly service from Killoch.

So it would be extremely useful to me if you could let me know which specific train(s) from Tyne Dock (time
passing Eaglescliffe will do) that you are seeing loaded with coal, so I can try and get hold of a TOPS consist.


TIA,


MARK
 

Greybeard33

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That's an interesting development - as far as I was aware, there haven't been coal trains from Tyne Dock
to Drax for many years; in fact I wasn't aware of coal trains running to Drax from anywhere for a couple
of months now, following the cessation of the weekly service from Killoch.

So it would be extremely useful to me if you could let me know which specific train(s) from Tyne Dock (time
passing Eaglescliffe will do) that you are seeing loaded with coal, so I can try and get hold of a TOPS consist.


TIA,


MARK
RTT shows two GBRf trains from Tyne Coal Terminal to Drax this morning, operated with 66713 and 66026 respectively - see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48523/2020-04-11/detailed and https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48519/2020-04-11/detailed.
 

OGLO

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Meanwhile, any idea what the name "Forest City" refers to? Not Nottingham, probably.

(I am a Nottingham Youth)
 

SteveHFC

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RTT shows two GBRf trains from Tyne Coal Terminal to Drax this morning, operated with 66713 and 66026 respectively - see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48523/2020-04-11/detailed and https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48519/2020-04-11/detailed.
There are no coal trains running into Drax at the moment, those that are in the system are all cancelled off on a weekly basis. How do I know? I've been the one doing the Drax plan at Network Rail while the Restriction of Use is in place (as I've mentioned on another thread elsewhere). All that is going into Drax at the moment are DBC Biomass from either Hull or Immingham, or GBRf Biomass from either Tyne or Liverpool, and a couple of FLHH trains from the Peak Forest.
 

Freightmaster

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RTT shows two GBRf trains from Tyne Coal Terminal to Drax this morning, operated with 66713 and 66026 respectively - see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48523/2020-04-11/detailed and https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H48519/2020-04-11/detailed.
Those are biomass trains. They are formed of bogie hoppers with retractable covers, so you
would not be able to see the contents of the hoppers when they passed your house.

But in an earlier post, you mentioned that you have been seeing trains loaded with coal bound
for Drax (these would utilise open bogie hoppers); I'm just interested to know which services
they were - have you been seeing them passing Eaglescliffe at a particular time of day?


MARK
 

Greybeard33

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Those are biomass trains. They are formed of bogie hoppers with retractable covers, so you
would not be able to see the contents of the hoppers when they passed your house.

But in an earlier post, you mentioned that you have been seeing trains loaded with coal bound
for Drax (these would utilise open bogie hoppers); I'm just interested to know which services
they were - have you been seeing them passing Eaglescliffe at a particular time of day?


MARK
Thanks for the correction.

It was @OGLO, not myself, who reported seeing coal trains passing Eaglescliffe, in post #187.
 

pmb

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News on WNXX (subscription section): the contract for the Preston/Lindsey workings with Colas has been extended for a further five years. The workings are likely to use Class 56's.
 

ExRes

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What traction is typically used on DRS nuclear trains these days? Is it still generally pairs of class 37s? According to Ian Walmseley, 2 class 88s are also used.
Does the traction vary by route, for example Berkeley/Bridgewater to Crewe trains always using class 37s?

Just to prove there's always an exception to the rule, WNXX has a photo (subscription section) of 88009 hauling one FNA on 6M69 Sizewell to Willesden Brent on 14th April
 

BRX

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In the last couple of weeks a flow of steel from Margam to Dollands Moor and on through the tunnel has (re) started.

This used to run regularly until about 5 years ago. When that stopped, what i understood to be a replacement started running from Margam to Thamseport (I gathered the steel was transferred to road there, for onwards transport to the continent). I'm not quite clear whether the new service through the tunnel replaces that, or is in addition. Either way, nice to see something additional running through the tunnel for once.
As an update to this, it would appear that the new service trough the tunnel is in addition to to the one running to/from Thamesport, as I've seen both operate this week.
 

Chingy

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As an update to this, it would appear that the new service trough the tunnel is in addition to to the one running to/from Thamesport, as I've seen both operate this week.

Think one of them is heading along the GWML towards South Wales as we speak now.
 

ExRes

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Interesting comment by a contributor to WNXX today, he's heard that the route learning being carried out by 56103 this week and last is for an aggregate flow from Carlisle Kingmoor VQ to Able Seaton Port Hartlepool, although this would be a 'new' flow it is probably a redirection of the Boston one, anyone heard anything on this possibility?
 

furnessvale

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Final consent has at last been given for the new strategic railfreight depot at Four Ashes north of Wolverhampton.

 

BRX

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This is from the current RFG newsletter. I'm not entirely clear what is "new" here - a service has been running on this route for some time, so is this essentially an increase in frequency?

Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 21.19.25.jpg
 

Freightmaster

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This is from the current RFG newsletter. I'm not entirely clear what is "new" here - a service has been running on this route for some time, so is this essentially an increase in frequency?
Nope!

Typical press release 'spin' making an existing (albeit repurposed) train service out to be a "new flow" :rolleyes:





MARK
 

stantheman

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I noted the Seaton to Sellafield flasks is booked today to run via WCML and run round at Carnforth . I would thought it would run under the WCML at Carlisle and then via Maryport . What is it’s normal route .
 

Freightmaster

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I noted the Seaton to Sellafield flasks is booked today to run via WCML and run round at Carnforth . I would thought it would run under the WCML at Carlisle and then via Maryport . What is it’s normal route.
It is currently diverted to run via Carforth due to a damaged bridge on the Cumbrian Coast line north of Sellafield;
as you correctly assumed, it normally runs via the Petteril Bridge to Bog Junction chord at Carlisle (the only train
booked to do so), but that chord (and the loop from Upperby) are out of use at present:


1588691190805.png





MARK
 
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It is currently diverted to run via Carforth due to a damaged bridge on the Cumbrian Coast line north of Sellafield;
as you correctly assumed, it normally runs via the Petteril Bridge to Bog Junction chord at Carlisle (the only train
booked to do so), but that chord (and the loop from Upperby) are out of use at present:


View attachment 77466





MARK

I have just read that Network Rail says the bridge works and rock armour replacement at Parton will be completed by the end of May, enabling the line to reopen. However the line will shut between Millom & Sellafield for 9 days in June to allow renewal of track around Eskmeals.
 

Peter Bonner

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I noted the Seaton to Sellafield flasks is booked today to run via WCML and run round at Carnforth . I would thought it would run under the WCML at Carlisle and then via Maryport . What is it’s normal route .
Cumbrian coast line is closed until summer between Whitehaven and Workington due to storm damage to the sea wall this winter.
 

pmb

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I have just updated the title of the thread to 'Rail Freight Flows and News UK' to better reflect the thread content.
 

Freightmaster

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