going by photos it was 37669+37516 on the front and 37685 on the rear.Train worked to Inverness yesterday with (thanks JTC)
37516
37669
37685
950246
950664
950734
950654
950581
950984
950514
950629
950588
950534
950187
950862
950548
950736
is this only short-term (IE only a few weeks) or long-term?According to well placed Feight sources on another forum WCR are operating this on behalf of Colas which makes a lot of since as Colas regulary hire drivers from WCR. And Colas operate all the other timbet trains.
It must be a trial. I cannot see the economics working out long term with 3 locos on 14 wagons!is this only short-term (IE only a few weeks) or long-term?
yeah, particularly as WCRC only have 7 operational 37s.It must be a trial. I cannot see the economics working out long term with 3 locos on 14 wagons!
is this only short-term (IE only a few weeks) or long-term?
Bosses at Norbord are looking to the Highlands’ rail lines to support the expansion of its plant near Inverness.
The Canadian firm is investing more than £125 million in the Morayhill plant, safeguarding 130 workers and 300 further Highland jobs, mainly in forestry.
It is the world’s largest producer of oriented strand board (OSB), which is used in construction and furniture manufacturing as a replacement for plywood.
Site improvements are due to get underway in the coming months following approval by Highland councillors of a plan to increase the height of two towers at the Moray Firth site.
The increase in production means a rise in HGV movements to and from the factory from around 340 each day to 378.
Highlands and Island MSP John Finne has written to Norbord asking that it commit to moving materials by rail in an effort to ease traffic flow on the roads network in and around Inverness.
The company already makes use of Highland rail links, with boards loaded onto rail containers on site and transferred to Inverness Railway station before being transported onto rail carriages on the southbound line in the marshalling yard.
Norbord officials have also been in touch with officials from Network Rail, investigating opportunities for a rail connection on the Inverness to Aberdeen rail line.
A series of trials have been undertaken to support the concept.
A spokesman for Norbord said: “We would support the development of the rail infrastructure in Inverness.”
Mr Finnie said: ““I have visited the Norbord plant and recognise the significant contribution its work contributes to the Highland economy.
“Given the climate emergency we face, an increase in HGV traffic will concerning to many.
“With the site’s immediate proximity to the Aberdeen to Inverness line, I’ve written to the company asking them to examine opportunities to convey material to the site by rail.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: “We are committed to encouraging more businesses to transport their products by rail and we are working with Norbord and the rail freight industry to explore options at this location.”
ah right, thanks.6 week trial apparently. 2 loaded trains to Inverness per week.
Sorry to ask the daft question but are there any photos of the move mentioned above? My twitter feed is normally full of photos of any unusual or one-off moves like this but I haven't seen any of this. Cheers!
I will see your Flickr images and raise you a YouTube video from a Scot-Rail member of the timber train at Georgemas Junction itself.A Flickr user that lives along the Far North Line has posted some images of the empty train arriving at Georgemas and the loading: https://www.flickr.com/photos/171108264@N04/
I will see your Flickr images and raise you a YouTube video from a Scot-Rail member of the timber train at Georgemas Junction itself.
I do like the sound of Class 37s in the morning!!
No, a qualified driver can drive passenger or freight trains all on the same license.Obviously WCR are using the same locomotives for these trains as on their passenger trains, but is special training needed for their drivers to move onto freight? I was thinking about the same concept as when a tractor driver has to take a trailer test even though he can drive a tractor already.
Pulling people or logs makes no difference to operating your locomotive safely.Obviously WCR are using the same locomotives for these trains as on their passenger trains, but is special training needed for their drivers to move onto freight? I was thinking about the same concept as when a tractor driver has to take a trailer test even though he can drive a tractor already.
It'll feel different - twin piped passenger stock brakes will recharge much faster than single piped freight stock. Also the freight is likely to be heavier and thus handle differentlyPulling people or logs makes no difference to operating your locomotive safely.
It must be a trial. I cannot see the economics working out long term with 3 locos on 14 wagons!
I was surprised at how little timber was actually loaded onto each BTA type stanchioned bogie wagon compared to the amount carried on the wagons used on the Carlisle etc to Chirk trains , which are currently
suspended.
Possibly these wagons could not have instead been used for this trial due axle loading etc restrictions between Georgemas Jn and Inverness ?
I guess one timber lorry could do two round trips in 24 hrs between Caithness / Flow Country forests and Inverness.
I believe the coaches carry armed police in case the train is attacked.Slightly off topic - can anyone explain the working shown in photos in the flickr link above which consisted of 66s top-and-tailing two MK2 brake coaches and a nuclear flask? I'm familiar with DRS' flask workings but never seen it with coaches?
There could be any number of reasons for the wagon choice.I was surprised at how little timber was actually loaded onto each BTA type stanchioned bogie wagon compared to the amount carried on the wagons used on the Carlisle etc to Chirk trains , which are currently
suspended.
Possibly these wagons could not have instead been used for this trial due axle loading etc restrictions between Georgemas Jn and Inverness ?
I guess one timber lorry could do two round trips in 24 hrs between Caithness / Flow Country forests and Inverness.
Slightly off topic - can anyone explain the working shown in photos in the flickr link above which consisted of 66s top-and-tailing two MK2 brake coaches and a nuclear flask? I'm familiar with DRS' flask workings but never seen it with coaches?