hunterston - Fiddlers Ferry coal train routeing question.

[Busterfridge]

While travelling home from Manchester on Wednesday to west Cumbria, we were passed by a 'shed' trailing coal hoppers near foxfield, normally the only freight traffic up on the cumbrian coast are flasks, does anyone know why it came down the coast and not over shap, I assumed it might have something to do with weight, does anyone the real reason?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H31183/2014/11/05/advanced



--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
sorry link failed, its a hunterston - fiddlers ferry coal train

 

[Freightmaster]

does anyone know why it came down the coast and not over shap, I assumed it might have something to do with weight, does anyone the real reason ?

There are simply no daytime paths for slow, loaded trains over Shap these days.

The train in question (6M11 Hunterston to Fiddlers Ferry) more usually
runs via the S+C and Blackburn, but the section of line from Clitheroe
to Blackburn is badly affected by leaf fall, which has caused this particular
to come to grief in previous years, so it looks like FHH are playing it safe
this year!

MARK

 

[DarloRich]

There are simply no daytime paths for slow, loaded trains over Shap these days.

The train in question (6M11 Hunterston to Fiddlers Ferry) more usually
runs via the S+C and Blackburn, but the section of line from Clitheroe
to Blackburn is badly affected by leaf fall, which has caused this particular
to come to grief in previous years, so it looks like FHH are playing it safe
this year!

MARK

I have heard tell that it may well use that route full time after autumn - nothing official of course just idle chat

 

[Freightmaster]

I have heard tell that it may well use that route full time after autumn - nothing official of course just idle chat

The rumour is correct - it's easier to run it year round than faff around
refreshing route knowledge / requesting paths for a two month diversion
each Autumn.

MARK

 

[Busterfridge]

I hope that's right ! it will give me a lot more photo opportunities !!