Freight during a storm closure - what happens?

[Meerkat]

When the WCML is shut all day by NR what happens to the freight? I am assuming Tesco rely on their trains to keep their system flowing.
Does it just go on trucks or do the responsible truck companies not go over the hills in a storm?

My concern is whether the railway just becomes too unreliable for freight users.

 

[Bletchleyite]

When the WCML is shut all day by NR what happens to the freight? I am assuming Tesco rely on their trains to keep their system flowing.
Does it just go on trucks or do the responsible truck companies not go over the hills in a storm?

My concern is whether the railway just becomes too unreliable for freight users.

It's not safe for high sided road vehicles in a red storm warning, either. It's a flaw in just-in-time logistics - the effect will be fairly empty shelves for a few days while the system catches up.

 

[The Planner]

When the WCML is shut all day by NR what happens to the freight? I am assuming Tesco rely on their trains to keep their system flowing.
Does it just go on trucks or do the responsible truck companies not go over the hills in a storm?

My concern is whether the railway just becomes too unreliable for freight users.

You might be able to divert on a VSTP basis, but if the ECML is affected then it could just get cancelled.

 

[hozza94]

I recall the term of "just-in-time logistics" is essentially having smaller warehouses and stores, and which the transportation (freight trains and HGV) are acting as storage capacity in the system?

 

[Bow Fell]

MFSDD (Management of Freight Services During Disruption) similar to CSL2/CSL3 for TOC’s will be declared which is basically an industry guideline to set out the agreed protocol not just for how services are managed on the railway itself but liaising with the relevant FOC’s and onward customer flows.

 

[Meerkat]

Do the freights get any priority to get through before the full passenger service recommences?

I am wondering whether the lines should be left open for freight - with no passenger trains they could trundle along at a much slower speed, and a stranded freight only needs the driver to be looked out for.
Though is this one bad enough that a container train could get flipped over? That would be somewhat inconvenient!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I recall the term of "just-in-time logistics" is essentially having smaller warehouses and stores, and which the transportation (freight trains and HGV) are acting as storage capacity in the system?

That and the suppliers are feeding in at the rate of consumption rather than in bulk to be stored.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It's a flaw in just-in-time logistics - the effect will be fairly empty shelves for a few days while the system catches up.

Sometimes happens with general stores located on islands. If the ferry is off due to a storm, time sensitive and/or perishable items such as newspapers and fresh produce will simply "disappear".

 

[Class15]

A few weeks ago there was severe flooding at Stamford blocking a major freight route from Felixstowe to the West Midlands. GB Railfreight did not throw in the towel, instead putting in VSTP paths via London. Was very impressed by the efficiency in getting the goods to their destination.

 

[Bald Rick]

A few weeks ago there was severe flooding at Stamford blocking a major freight route from Felixstowe to the West Midlands. GB Railfreight did not throw in the towel, instead putting in VSTP paths via London. Was very impressed by the efficiency in getting the goods to their destination.

That is absolutely routine, and quite normal.

Whats different here is that all Anglo-Scots routes are affected. You can‘t divert.

 

[Class15]

That is absolutely routine, and quite normal.

Whats different here is that all Anglo-Scots routes are affected. You can‘t divert.

Yes you are absolutely correct, but given potential issues with driver route knowledge etc, it would be easy to see the services simply being cancelled. If I remember rightly Freightliner simply cancelled their services that time.

Regarding Anglo-Scottish, they probably just need to be held at a yard like Kingmoor or Mossend until the line is clear.