Sunderland Port - New Rail Business?

[GrandCentral]

This Tweet by the Port Of Sunderland Twitter page caught my eye yesterday.

https://twitter.com/PortSunderland/status/1147058097841758208

Port Director Matthew Hunt recently gave a presentation at the Railfutures conference in the birthplace of railway, Darlington. Watch this space for some exciting announcements
@PortSunderland around #Rail.

It sounds like some new business might be on the way for the rail link to the port? It's been dormant since the scrap metal trains were withdrawn. Has anyone heard anything?

It would be great to see trains running into the port again as it's been a real missed opportunity over the last few years.

 

[EC123]

Apologies for thread bumping. But did anything ever materialise from this? Noticed a bit of work going on around Ryhope grange of late.

 

[MonsooN]

I don't know anything about the railway but judging by Sunderland Council's history of vision (i.e. lack of one) over the years, I'd say that if there was a way to mess this opportunity up, they'll find it!

 

[MonsooN]

In a serious note though, the branch to the port comes off the Durham coast line so there are East links to Newcastle (and the Port of Tyne) Seaham and the port there and then down to Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough. Sunderland is right in the middle of the Tyne and Wear conurbation and within easy reach of Teesside too so there are plenty of opportunities to be had if the branch was connected again.

 

[edwin_m]

In a serious note though, the branch to the port comes off the Durham coast line so there are East links to Newcastle (and the Port of Tyne) Seaham and the port there and then down to Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough. Sunderland is right in the middle of the Tyne and Wear conurbation and within easy reach of Teesside too so there are plenty of opportunities to be had if the branch was connected again.

Sunderland is near the edge of the Tyne and Wear county, which roughly aligns with the conurbation. It's sort of in the middle of the Tees-Tyne area. However I don't think that's particularly relevant to the port - unless it's a big bulk flow rail is probably uncompetitive for anything within about 4hr road journey from a port.

 

[WestRiding]

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/port-of-sunderland-lines-back-in-use-after-20-years

The transport secretary has visited the north east to see a locomotive run along the rail line to the Port of Sunderland, for the first time in 20 years.

The use of the lines for a light engine rail trial yesterday followed £600,000 work by Network Rail to reinstate the former line into the Port during December 2014 and January 2015.

During the work, the port saw almost half a mile of rail lines reconnected by Network Rail, a boost to its cargo handling capabilities. Port of Sunderland already handles more than 700,000 tonnes of cargo each year.

Port director Matthew Hunt said that the trial with DB Schenker Rail UK, using a 22 metre long Class 66 locomotive, was a significant momen...

 

[Halifaxlad]

Port of Sunderland lines back in use after 20 years

The transport secretary has visited the north east to see a locomotive run along the rail line to the Port of Sunderland, for the first time in 20 years.

www.railtechnologymagazine.com

Interesting, but it does say "It is expected that the Port will use the lines over the coming months as a means of supporting the increasing number of cargo handling projects it is managing." can anyone confirm if this line is indeed being used and where the traffic is flowing?

 

[thenorthern]

Are there any proposals to electrify the line to Sunderland Ports? A couple of years ago there were proposals to change the electrification voltage of the line from the 1.5kV in use for the metro to 25kV that is used on the main line. Having a rail link to the port compatible electric trains would be a good unique selling point for a port.

Continuation of Network Rail’s electrification provides an opportunity for diesel-only routes in the area to be electrified, and conversion of the Sunderland-Pelaw section to the national standard of 25kv AC. A new Metro fleet that could operate at different electrification standards would be able to provide a wide range of local rail links sustainably and efficiently, with the same high service standard throughout.

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/media/21032/SP-66-Metro-Futures/pdf/SP.66_Metro_Futures.pdf?m=636808441056200000

 

[moggie]

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/port-of-sunderland-lines-back-in-use-after-20-years

Two things to note; the mugshot in picture of the then Transport SoS.
The date of the article.

 

[edwin_m]

A couple of years ago there were "plans" to change the Durham Coast Line electrification into Sunderland from the 1.5 kV DC that is currently in place for the Metro trains to the standard 25 kV AC that is common for the mainline and the new metro trains were going to be capable of both voltages.

Is this still the case as if the line was going to become 25 kV AC it would make sense to do an electrification infill from Pelaw Metro Junction to High Level Bridge so that electric trains could then use the port. Sure it would cost a lot but at the same time it would be a unique selling point being able to have electric trains serving the port.

You'd also need several miles more electrification at the Sunderland end to cover the main line from where Metro branches off as far as the junction to the harbour branch, and the branch itself. Unlikely to be worthwhile for harbour traffic but might just be possible if 25kV conversion and electrification down the coast went ahead (any harbour freight would most likely go that way anyway) alongside a different attitude to rail freight decarbonization.

 

[thenorthern]

You'd also need several miles more electrification at the Sunderland end to cover the main line from where Metro branches off as far as the junction to the harbour branch, and the branch itself. Unlikely to be worthwhile for harbour traffic but might just be possible if 25kV conversion and electrification down the coast went ahead (any harbour freight would most likely go that way anyway) alongside a different attitude to rail freight decarbonization.

I was thinking more about it being a unique selling point being able to take electric trains to a port. From memory with the other major ports Felixstowe is not electrified, Southampton port is not electrified plus the electrification in Southampton is the wrong sort anyway and Immingham is not electrified. With the advent of Electro-Diesels that shouldn't matter anyway.

 

[Mollman]

I was thinking more about it being a unique selling point being able to take electric trains to a port. From memory with the other major ports Felixstowe is not electrified, Southampton port is not electrified plus the electrification in Southampton is the wrong sort anyway and Immingham is not electrified. With the advent of Electro-Diesels that shouldn't matter anyway.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be a high priority. Tilbury was the only port on an electrified line but was replaced by London Gateway which isn't despite being located close to the LTS route.

 

[GrandCentral]

A 950 Network Rail Train was doing track inspection works here at the end of July and there are rumours that Nissan are going to use the port for cars export. Anyone heard anything?

 

[Dr Hoo]

A 950 Network Rail Train was doing track inspection works here at the end of July and there are rumours that Nissan are going to use the port for cars export. Anyone heard anything?

Sounds a bit unlikely. Where would Nissan load their cars to rail?

 

[SeanG]

The new road link from Wessington Way to the port would be used for any goods from Washington to be shipped out. After all, that is what the road was built for.