Rail Freight Flows and News UK

[Class15]

ROG's 37510 this morning rescued a stalled GBRf 66-hauled freight at Mitre Bridge (west London).
Wonderful trackside photo taken by loco crew and posted on LinkedIn here:

When another operators freight service became stalled in the Mitre Bridge… | Iain Fitzpatrick MSc, BEng(Hons), ACSM, HND, DipCSM | 13 comments

When another operators freight service became stalled in the Mitre Bridge area of London this morning, Rail Operations Group (ROG) was on hand to provide… | 13 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

Did any forum reader see the ensemble?

It was on Tuesday morning. I’m led to believe unfortunately that the 37 only helped the 66 over the incline and was detached subsequently.

 

[Sun Chariot]

It was on Tuesday morning. I’m led to believe unfortunately that the 37 only helped the 66 over the incline and was detached subsequently.

Thanks. I've edited my precious post. Yes, I failed to spot L.I. post showed "2d ago"!

 

[tumbledown]

Tunstead to Weaste and return running today.

 

[JKF]

First proper GBRF steel run into Portbury today using the new KEA steel carrier wagons. Biffa-liveried 66783 providing the traction with 19 KEAs in tow.

Service was the 6C92 - 0824 Margam Tc GBRF to Portbury Auto Terminal GBF.





Photo shows 66783 approaching Clifton Bridge Tunnel No.1 in the Avon Gorge at the head of a rake of empty KEA steel carriers. Brunel’s suspension bridge is visible on the right of the picture.

 

[Adrian Barr]

First proper GBRF steel run into Portbury today using the new KEA steel carrier wagons.

It finally happened! A dramatic view of the gorge, I like it.

After previous discussion of loading methods at Portbury (posts #1646 to #1648), I found this photo of the loading pad: https://www.flickr.com/photos/74165767@N05/53885536660/ (Photo: Driver 59)

In the background (zoom in) are a couple of heavy duty forklifts - too far away to make out attachments, but they must be using magnets to drop the slabs into KEAs; plus you couldn't stack slabs right on top of each other (which they do on a wagon) if you had to pull the fork lift tines out from between them.

 

[furnessvale]

It finally happened! A dramatic view of the gorge, I like it.

After previous discussion of loading methods at Portbury (posts #1646 to #1648), I found this photo of the loading pad: https://www.flickr.com/photos/74165767@N05/53885536660/ (Photo: Driver 59)

In the background (zoom in) are a couple of heavy duty forklifts - too far away to make out attachments, but they must be using magnets to drop the slabs into KEAs; plus you couldn't stack slabs right on top of each other (which they do on a wagon) if you had to pull the fork lift tines out from between them.

Depending how thick the slabs are, there are scissor type grabs that can grip the edge of slabs or billets to lift.

 

[Steveswan10]

Hi does anyone no if the Baglan-Chirk Log train has finished or is it just suspended as haven't sent it run since before Christmas

 

[Western 52]

Hi does anyone no if the Baglan-Chirk Log train has finished or is it just suspended as haven't sent it run since before Christmas

I'd noticed that too. The sidings at Briton Ferry are very rusty.

 

[Freightmaster]

Hi does anyone no if the Baglan-Chirk Log train has finished or is it just suspended as haven't sent it run since before Christmas

That flow has finished I'm afraid, with the wagons being used on the Aberystwyth to Chirk flow.



MARK

 

[geordieblue]

That flow has finished I'm afraid, with the wagons being used on the Aberystwyth to Chirk flow.



MARK

Any idea why? It was a pretty regular runner IIRC

On a more positive note - there appears to be a movement from Avonmouth to Cardiff Pengam sidings this evening, with a subsequent path to Colnbrook tomorrow. Down as ‘aggregates’ on RTT. Wagon positioning move or start of a new flow? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R57930/2025-03-06/detailed

 

[Steveswan10]

That flow has finished I'm afraid, with the wagons being used on the Aberystwyth to Chirk flow.



MARK

Ahh okay, shame as on most days the Marches are now down to 1 return daytime (Margam-Dee Marsh-Steels) and as and when it runs the Stone trains to and from Moreton On Lugg and then occasionally others (6V71-Warrington to Margam wagon transfer, occasional East Usk/Port Talbot to Basford Hall Stone workings and any diversions from the Gloucester-South Wales flows)

 

[Adrian Barr]

Ahh okay, shame as on most days the Marches are now down to 1 return daytime (Margam-Dee Marsh-Steels) and as and when it runs the Stone trains to and from Moreton On Lugg and then occasionally others (6V71-Warrington to Margam wagon transfer, occasional East Usk/Port Talbot to Basford Hall Stone workings and any diversions from the Gloucester-South Wales flows)

The aggregate loaded at Port Talbot was processed blast furnace slag; I don't think any has been loaded since July 2024 (and is unlikely to recommence given the closure of the blast furnaces).
https://www.tarmac.com/products/aggregates/slag-aggregates/

Current Freightliner stone workings at East Usk are associated with traffic loaded at Moreton-On-Lugg or Machen (typically stabling of the empty sets). I think the Machen to Uskmouth flow may have finished now (?) but the empties off the Machen to Lawley Street flow work back to East Usk.

Flows noted running from Moreton-On-Lugg (for Tarmac) so far this year are to Elstow, Radlett, Hothfield (via Wembley), Hayes, Kennett and a special to Chesterton on 15th Jan. Of those, I think all except the Hothfield and Hayes are normally routed via the Marches and Basford Hall.

 

[high camera]

Stockport Greek street bridge replacement is due to start at Easter with a total closure of the line into Stockport. What is going to happen to the freight workings during this work please ?

 

[Class15]

Stockport Greek street bridge replacement is due to start at Easter with a total closure of the line into Stockport. What is going to happen to the freight workings during this work please ?

Anything coming up from Crewe that goes via Stockport (probably not much!) will just be diverted round Heald Green. Coming from Tunstead might be more challenging.

 

[Trainman40083]

Stockport Greek street bridge replacement is due to start at Easter with a total closure of the line into Stockport. What is going to happen to the freight workings during this work please ?

How long is the expected closure?

 

[5562]

Well, the Greek Street roundabout is closed to traffic for 3 months according to a sign I saw this afternoon.

 

[tumbledown]

How long is the expected closure?

Actually, the road is closing for a year I think, the railway for most of August, if I interpret the video correctly.

Greek Street bridge replacement Stockport

Thanks for the link. Fascinating stuff to the layman

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Adrian Barr]

How long is the expected closure?

Actually, the road is closing for a year I think, the railway for most of August, if I interpret the video correctly.

Stockport closed over Easter bank holiday and for 21 days in August, some more detail here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/runni...s/north-west/greek-street-bridge-replacement/

What is going to happen to the freight workings during this work please ?

I had a look at schedules for Easter Monday. Drax and Knowsley workings are planned to divert from Northenden via Hazel Grove High Level, Hope Valley and Sheffield.

Realtime Trains search for Liverpool Biomass Terminal on 21/04/25:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

Realtime Trains search for Knowsley on 21/04/25:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

Folly Lane (binliner) traffic to Bredbury is running round at Basford Hall and then via Warrington Bank Quay, Chat Moss, Manchester Victoria, Phillips Park, Ashburys, Guide Bridge.
Folly Lane (binliner) traffic to Brindle Heath is running round at Basford Hall then via Sandbach, Styal, Manchester Piccadilly, Salford Crescent

Realtime Trains search for Folly Lane on 21/04/25:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

Trains to or from Tunstead that normally run via Guide Bridge and Stockport can run via Hazel Grove High Level, Northenden Jn, Northwich, Middlewich, Sandbach

Realtime Trains search for Middlewich on 21/04/25:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

How many of these will actually run on the day remains to be seen, but interesting to see the diversionary routes - I wasn't aware of the Stockport closure until it was mentioned in this thread

 

[tumbledown]

What is going to happen to the freight workings during this work please ?

The change is already happening - comparing last Monday's traffic through say Denton with this coming Monday's, most have disappeared.

 

[Freightmaster]

comparing last Monday's traffic through say Denton with this coming Monday's, most have disappeared.

That's because Denton station isn't a timing point for freight services (RTT 'infills' the passing times on the day).


If you want to see all trains for a future date, you need to use Denton Jn or Denton Station Jn instead.



MARK

 

[tumbledown]

Oops. That's useful, thanks.
Though it does list 3 services at Denton (two have to stop for staff).
Is there any way to know which are timing points? The Working Timetable?
Otherwise future lookups are going to be hit-and-miss.

 

[Freightmaster]

Is there any way to know which are timing points?

The method I use is to look at a schedule for a train at least two days in the future on RTT,
which will only show 'mandatory' timing points.

As an example, here is this afternoon's 4S44 Daventry to Coatbridge:

Realtime Trains | 4S44 1202 Daventry Int Rft Recep Fl to Coatbridge (Drs) | 08/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S44 1202 departure from Daventry Int Rft Recep Fl to Coatbridge (Drs) on 08/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

...and here is the same train on a Saturday at the end of April:

Realtime Trains | 4S44 1202 Daventry Int Rft Recep Fl to Coatbridge (Drs) | 26/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S44 1202 departure from Daventry Int Rft Recep Fl to Coatbridge (Drs) on 26/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Spot the difference!




MARK

 

[Adrian Barr]

Depending how thick the slabs are, there are scissor type grabs that can grip the edge of slabs or billets to lift.

A recent photo from Portbury shows a reach stacker in use, which appears to have a magnet attachment (resembling a big yellow block).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/54369888932/ (Photo: robmcrorie)

I also found an interesting little Hyster brochure showing attachments for handling steel:
https://www.hyster.com/globalassets...7hgc5wp001_e_en_us_v2r0_100422_steelebook.pdf

SLAB HANDLING ATTACHMENTS
• Slab magnets are used for stacking ambient temperature slabs in a storage yard and dropping them into place. Unlike clamps, magnets are well-suited for loading rail cars with side walls, and they avoid the extra step of placing spacers between loads, expediting processes and enabling real productivity gains.
• Slab tongs, on the other hand, are typically used to grab and transport hot slabs around the yard and to load flat rail cars without walls. They enable more precise handling than forks.

This view of 6B92 gives a good view of the varying slab widths loaded into the KEAs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/58449051@N08/54367569879/ (Photo: Nigel Power)

On a more positive note - there appears to be a movement from Avonmouth to Cardiff Pengam sidings this evening, with a subsequent path to Colnbrook tomorrow. Down as ‘aggregates’ on RTT. Wagon positioning move or start of a new flow?

I think it's an occasional working for Aggregate Industries (a bit like their workings from Coton Hill at Shrewsbury).

The hopper set worked 6Z48 Bardon - Colnbrook (05/03), 6B77 empties to Avonmouth (06/03), 6C77 loaded to Pengam (06/03), forward as 6A28 to Colnbrook (07/03) then 6M54 empties back to Bardon Hill (07/03).

There's a photo of a similar working (running as 4B77 to Avonmouth) in October: https://www.flickr.com/photos/93293618@N05/54119933919/ (Photo: FEWS FOTS)

 

[JKF]

The Margam-Portbury train ran today but only as far as Bristol East depot, presumably it’ll run up to Portbury on Monday morning. I was hoping the train scheduled for Saturday might present an opportunity to take some nice pics in the gorge,

 

[Peter0124]

Oops. That's useful, thanks.
Though it does list 3 services at Denton (two have to stop for staff).
Is there any way to know which are timing points? The Working Timetable?
Otherwise future lookups are going to be hit-and-miss.

The times in bold on RTT are timing points I think

 

[LibertyLane]

This was shared earlier. According to this, the Portbury to Margam slabs should run for three years until end of 2027! And shows a photo of the magnetic loader in action. Confirms the photo by robmcrorie that @Adrian Barr shared above. Hopefully we'll get some great colourful locos down there over the next few years.

And it'll be interesting to see how this flow interacts with the Portishead line renewal work.

GB Railfreight starts new freight service to Wales

GB Railfreight has begun operating a new freight service for Tata Steel UK. The service will run from the Port of Bristol at Portbury to the steelworks at Port Talbot. GBRf will move the imported steel slabs until the end of 2027, when a new three million tonne-per-year Electric Arc…

www.railadvent.co.uk

This was shared earlier. According to this, the Portbury to Margam slabs should run for three years until end of 2027! And shows a photo of the magnetic loader in action. Confirms the photo by robmcrorie that @Adrian Barr shared above. Hopefully we'll get some great colourful locos down there over the next few years.

And it'll be interesting to see how this flow interacts with the Portishead line renewal work.

GB Railfreight starts new freight service to Wales

GB Railfreight has begun operating a new freight service for Tata Steel UK. The service will run from the Port of Bristol at Portbury to the steelworks at Port Talbot. GBRf will move the imported steel slabs until the end of 2027, when a new three million tonne-per-year Electric Arc…

www.railadvent.co.uk

To add to this, a great close up photo by GBRf of the Hyster loading a slab using the magnetic attachment, on the news section of their website.

GB Railfreight starts new service for Port Talbot steelworks - GBRf

GBRf has started a new service for Tata Steel UK, moving imported steel slab from the Port of Bristol at Portbury to the giant steelworks at Port Talbot.

www.gbrailfreight.com

 

[Adrian Barr]

To add to this, a great close up photo by GBRf of the Hyster loading a slab using the magnetic attachment, on the news section of their website.

That's a good picture of the loading process, stepladder included! Seeing it more clearly in that photo reveals there are two magnets suspended from a lifting beam, which probably has the battery pack built into it.

A bit of googling reveals these are known as "electromagnetic spreader beams" and the company providing the one used at Portbury is Magbat Europe. There's a 'case study' on their website with some close-up photos of the spreader beam with the magnets: https://www.magbat-europe.com/achie...ery-powered-electro-permanent-lifting-magnet/

I think this was mentioned already, but the KEAs now sport cut out squares in the sides and various white line markings, plus a yellow marking on the central strengthening rib on the side of the wagon. I think all this must be to help the loader centre the slabs within the wagon - from the GBRF shot it appears the cab of the reach stacker is not high enough to give a clear view down into the wagon.

VTG 3211 in the consist of 6C92 empties to Portbury:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisperkins/54363892060/ (Photo: Chris Perkins)

Dramatic image of 6B92 Portbury - Margam in the Avon Gorge under Clifton Suspension Bridge:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/54369559499/ (Photo: robmcrorie)

 

[j37401]

The Novelis Ditton Foundry Lane - Dollands Moor channel tunnel aluminium ingot traffic due to go over to road/ship at the end of the month due due cost increases and low demand. 2025 hasn't been great for rail freight so far.

 

[BRX]

The Novelis Ditton Foundry Lane - Dollands Moor channel tunnel aluminium ingot traffic due to go over to road/ship at the end of the month due due cost increases and low demand. 2025 hasn't been great for rail freight so far.

Well, that's depressing news. Another of the few remaining Channel Tunnel flows gone.

At about the same time, supposedly the new Paris<>Daventry intermodal will start, although I heavily moderate any optimism about whether that will be successful in the long term. At least the Toyota train from Toton seems to be working.

 

[Oxfordblues]

The Novelis Ditton Foundry Lane - Dollands Moor channel tunnel aluminium ingot traffic due to go over to road/ship at the end of the month due due cost increases and low demand. 2025 hasn't been great for rail freight so far.

The loss of one of the few remaining flows is a major blow for rail freight through the Channel Tunnel. 25+ years ago I was involved with the Channel Tunnel route clearance project for swap-body trains (up to 35 per day, we were told). I needn't have bothered in retrospect. All that money wasted on a fleet of Class 92s and expensive track-lowering I console myself that the infrastructure is still there and governments want to encourage more international rail freight, so there might be a bright future, but of course it's always the future! The economics are not helped by the fact that a truck can be driven from Ditton to Dover without once encountering a toll-booth. If hauliers had to pay the true cost of using the roads we might have a "level playing-field" but there are no tolls and fuel-duty has been frozen for 14 years costing the Treasury billions in potential revenue.