Rail freight

An enforcing regulator that is independent of the government will be needed to protect the interest of sectors such as open access and freight, says one industry source. Colas Rail 70813 passes Plawsworth (near Durham) on the Wast Coast Main Line on September 17 with the 1541 Jarrow Prax to Lindsey Oil Refinery Colas empty bogie tanks. PAUL BIGGS.

News

Drivers' jobs safe after refinery owners enter administration

The government has stepped in to help the refinery, a move which has protected jobs at Colas.

Colas Rail 8 Jul

Freightliner 70011 negotiates Eastleigh station with the 0641 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton Maritime on April 30, as GB Railfreight 66728 Institution of Railway Operators works the 1147 Southampton Western Docks to East Midlands Gateway. The two companies hold the biggest share of UK freight operations, with intermodal a growth area. MARK PIKE.

News

Year-on-year freight growth driven by increases in top three flows

Latest Office of Rail and Road statistics show growth in three areas has driven an overall increase in freight traffic.

Rail freight 4 Jul

News

DRS told to improve on nuclear material handling shortcomings

Nuclear regulator issues improvement notice on Direct Rail Services after identifying several shortcomings.

Direct Rail Services 3 Jul

News

Freightliner extends Breedon Group deal with five-year contract

Freightliner has announced two new five-year heavy haul rail contracts with Breedon Group.

Freight 1 Jul

A mechanical axle end generator, one of the pieces of equipment fitted to a vehicle to make it an iWagon. VTG RAIL.

News

More than 80 retrofitted iWagons to be in service by end of 2025

Dozens of wagons are being retrofitted with more brand new wagons on order.

Rail freight 26 Jun

GB Railfreight 60087 joins the Settle and Carlisle at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station on June 19 with the 1510 Horton Quarry to Tuebrook service. PHIL METCALFE.

News

Quarry's S&C rail link reinstated after 60 years

Heidelberg Materials reinstalls rail link to Horton Quarry in Yorkshire which was previously taken up in 1965.

Rail freight 26 Jun

DB Cargo 66090 west of Calvert on East West Rail with 1104 Didcot-Northampton Gateway intermodal service, the first freight flow on the route. PHIL MARSH.

News

East West Rail working timetable drawn up as first freight train uses route

First freight service along East West Rail coincides with opening of Northampton Gateway terminal.

East West Rail 19 Jun

News

Calls for Government to focus more on small-scale projects and rolling stock plan

Mixed response to Spending Review includes calls for support for projects that could help freight.

Government 18 Jun

Freightliner 66605 at Newport Docks with a train of aggregates containing a high PSV rating which was brought form Hafod Quarry by road. FREIGHTLINER.

News

Freightliner and Tarmac launch "unusual" road-to-rail aggregates flow

New aggregates flow starts at quarry without rail connection and benefits from Network Rail discount scheme.

Freightliner 13 Jun

DB Cargo 66181, in red livery, passes Barrow upon Soar on the Midland Main Line on September 6 2024, with the 1055 East Midlands Gateway-Felixstowe North intermodal. The unit has been identified as one of those next in line for conversion. PAUL BIGGS.

News

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

Operator has asked for volunteers to transfer to rival.

DB Cargo UK 27 May

The first Teesport-Manchester intermodal service awaits departure on February 3 behind DRS’ 68033. SIMON RICHMOND/DRS.

News

DRS and port operator review intermodal flow after trial "successfully demonstrates route"

A 12-week trial ended last month with both train and port operators reviewing its success.

Direct Rail Services 12 May

Freightliner 66623 at Weaste after bringing a cement train from Tunstead. FREIGHTLINER.

News

Freightliner starts running Peak District to Manchester cement flow for Tarmac

Tarmac says new service will "meet demand from city centre projects".

Freightliner 25 Apr

News

Freight paths exist on East West Rail, Rail Minister confirms

Lord Hendy responds to question asking about pathing for freight on the route

East West Rail 23 Apr

Three freight trains wait to depart Cemex's terminal at Dove Holes Quarry near Buxton. DAVID STUBBINGS.

News

Cemex: aggregates firm outlines plan to increase rail freight use by 50%

Aggregates company ran approximately 1,500 trains from Dove Holes Quarry in Derbyshire in 2024.

Rail freight 22 Apr

News

British Steel: scale of impact Scunthorpe closure would have on freight train drivers revealed

DB Cargo UK currently operates around 70 trains a week carrying raw materials between Immingham and Scunthorpe.

DB Cargo UK 17 Apr

Freightliner 59102 arrives at Exeter Riverside on March 28 with the final loaded stone train, the 0524 from Westbury Tarmac Sidings to Exeter Riverside Hanson Sidings. DAVID HUNT.

News

Network Rail seeking new Exeter Riverside custom after final stone train uses yard

Heidelberg Materials uses yard for final time in late March.

Network Rail 15 Apr

The final rake of O&K hopper wagons leaves Merehead on April 3. TOTAL COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

News

Mendip Rail sees off final rake of old hopper wagons - outlines benefits from replacement fleet

Final 29 wagons depart Somerset after more than 35 years of service

Rail freight 14 Apr

KEA wagons are transported by GB Railfreight 66772 as the 1243 Cardiff Tidal to Exeter Riverside on March 25. RUSSELL AYRE.

News

Wagons used for Port Talbot steel flow temporarily withdrawn after "safety issues" found

Flow temporarily switches from GBRf to DB Cargo UK while wagons are checked.

Rail freight 10 Apr

56301 passes March, working the 1108 Chaddesden-Kings Lynn TC empty boxes turn on March 28. KEITH PARTLOW.

News

DCRail finalises purchase of Class 56 after fault-free running

The Class 56 has been sold to the freight operator by the Class 56 Group.

DCRail 10 Apr

H Davis is set to win a £100 million wagon order from Iarnród Éireann for the supply of up to 400 railway wagons. The current vacuum-braked wagon fleet, mainly dating from the 1970s, will be replaced with modern airbrakes wagons and will allow IÉ to expand rail freight. On March 15, IÉ released Class 201, 220 River Blackwater, into traffic in a revised original IÉ orange livery, to mark the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the class into services. It is seen passing Islandbridge Junction with the Dublin North Wall to Ballina IWT. STEPHEN WHITE.

News

British firm on the brink of £100 million wagon contract

Mansfield-based firm set to provide Irish operator with 400 wagons.

Ireland 3 Apr

Rail freight

Drivers' jobs safe after refinery owners enter administration

Year-on-year freight growth driven by increases in top three flows

DRS told to improve on nuclear material handling shortcomings

Freightliner extends Breedon Group deal with five-year contract

More than 80 retrofitted iWagons to be in service by end of 2025

Quarry's S&C rail link reinstated after 60 years

East West Rail working timetable drawn up as first freight train uses route

Calls for Government to focus more on small-scale projects and rolling stock plan

Freightliner and Tarmac launch "unusual" road-to-rail aggregates flow

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

DRS and port operator review intermodal flow after trial "successfully demonstrates route"

Freightliner starts running Peak District to Manchester cement flow for Tarmac

Freight paths exist on East West Rail, Rail Minister confirms

Cemex: aggregates firm outlines plan to increase rail freight use by 50%

British Steel: scale of impact Scunthorpe closure would have on freight train drivers revealed

Network Rail seeking new Exeter Riverside custom after final stone train uses yard

Mendip Rail sees off final rake of old hopper wagons - outlines benefits from replacement fleet

Wagons used for Port Talbot steel flow temporarily withdrawn after "safety issues" found

DCRail finalises purchase of Class 56 after fault-free running

British firm on the brink of £100 million wagon contract

Most read

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

16 DB Cargo UK drivers switching to rival

Rail freight

Drivers' jobs safe after refinery owners enter administration

Year-on-year freight growth driven by increases in top three flows

DRS told to improve on nuclear material handling shortcomings

Freightliner extends Breedon Group deal with five-year contract

More than 80 retrofitted iWagons to be in service by end of 2025

Quarry's S&C rail link reinstated after 60 years

East West Rail working timetable drawn up as first freight train uses route

Calls for Government to focus more on small-scale projects and rolling stock plan

Freightliner and Tarmac launch "unusual" road-to-rail aggregates flow

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

DRS and port operator review intermodal flow after trial "successfully demonstrates route"

Freightliner starts running Peak District to Manchester cement flow for Tarmac

Freight paths exist on East West Rail, Rail Minister confirms

Cemex: aggregates firm outlines plan to increase rail freight use by 50%

British Steel: scale of impact Scunthorpe closure would have on freight train drivers revealed

Network Rail seeking new Exeter Riverside custom after final stone train uses yard

Mendip Rail sees off final rake of old hopper wagons - outlines benefits from replacement fleet

Wagons used for Port Talbot steel flow temporarily withdrawn after "safety issues" found

DCRail finalises purchase of Class 56 after fault-free running

British firm on the brink of £100 million wagon contract

Most read

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

16 DB Cargo UK drivers switching to rival

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

UK "fails to provide trains people want or like"

DB Cargo sells three more Class 90s for reuse

Further MML electrification and York capacity projects paused

FirstGroup confirms Class 222s for Euston-Stirling Lumo route

All three West Coast Main Line open access bid rejected