Rail Freight Flows and News UK

[scuzzlebutt]

DB were route learning for this last week - there are also schedules in for next week between Toton and Handsworth EMR. I’d assume this is the FOCs trying to get back into the scrap market before the Port Talbot electric arc furnace comes online - that will require huge quantities of scrap. Good news for railfreight though

That schedule is bullet proof with 3 hours at Arpley to soak up any delays at Liverpool Docks as it can sometimes get trapped in by Biomass services. Good on DB

 

[j37401]

That schedule is bullet proof with 3 hours at Arpley to soak up any delays at Liverpool Docks as it can sometimes get trapped in by Biomass services. Good on DB

Not any more. The track layout has been altered slightly at the biomass terminal meaning a train can shunt in & out or EMR and a biomass train can load at the same time.

 

[matt99001]

Any more newly introduced freight schedules that are up and coming? I've heard Freightliner are looking at Okehampton Quarry for October(ish) and scrap metal movements to TATA Steel in Wales.

 

[Freightmaster]

Any more newly introduced freight schedules that are up and coming?

Stone traffic to Sizewell from October/November.

 

[class 9]

Any more newly introduced freight schedules that are up and coming? I've heard Freightliner are looking at Okehampton Quarry for October(ish) and scrap metal movements to TATA Steel in Wales.

Freightliner are Intermodal only now.

 

[matt99001]

Ok, I might have read it a while ago when it was still under Freightliner.

I heard NR have declined a GWR request for running a very early/late train from Okehampton Station for this reason.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Sep 2026 ==

Does anyone know what happened to 6M53 (China Clay Cornwall to Stoke)? looks like it started on a schedule, then a VSTP one was created and a new path formed. Then it stopped at Bristol Parkway.

Guessing it didn't make its way to Cliffe Vale?

 

[ABB125]

Here's a shot of 66025 on DB's Handsworth scrap metal route learner - with the new HS2 viaduct in the background.

 

[Tobytrain10]

I created a thread about it, then discovered this thread again that i forgot about, there is another oil path being reinstated from Humber to Kingsbury from next week, 6M57

 

[172007]

Query, the current DB route learner this week, Toton to EMR Handsworth (Birmingham) has me puzzled.

I assume its to restart the scrap metal trains out of there / Queens Head sdgs opposite to the new eletric arc furnace in Port Talbot. The part that puzzles me is why Margam Drivers who already sign the route to Round Oak steel terminal (Past Stourbridge) appear to be not learning through to Handsworth / Tyeseley.
Just seems stange that East Midlands drivers are route learning.

 

[AndrewE]

Query, the current DB route learner this week, Toton to EMR Handsworth (Birmingham) has me puzzled.

I assume its to restart the scrap metal trains out of there / Queens Head sdgs opposite to the new eletric arc furnace in Port Talbot. The part that puzzles me is why Margam Drivers who already sign the route to Round Oak steel terminal (Past Stourbridge) appear to be not learning through to Handsworth / Tyeseley.
Just seems stange that East Midlands drivers are route learning.

Maybe they are being bussed in to Toton, rather than bringing a light engine all the way from S Wales for no benefit?

 

[Freightmaster]

Query, the current DB route learner this week, Toton to EMR Handsworth (Birmingham) has me puzzled.

I assume its to restart the scrap metal trains out of there / Queens Head sdgs opposite to the new eletric arc furnace in Port Talbot.

As far as I am aware, the Port Talbot furnace won't be operational until 2028,
so until then any workings from Handsworth will presumably run to Liverpool.

 

[geordieblue]

As far as I am aware, the Port Talbot furnace won't be operational until 2028,
so until then any workings from Handsworth will presumably run to Liverpool.

Also worth saying that the Port Talbot scrap is planned to go in containers, for ease of unloading, so presumably the loading points may change/new loading points be developed before the EAF comes online

 

[Amos390]

Just saw this schedule, I suspect it’ll just be a DCR 60 but what will it be hauling, it’s a 6Z code so evidently it’s got a decent load, but it’s going into Rectory Jn which doesn’t take on freights really, could it be scrap/donor locos? It’s 6Z60 Shirebrook Davis & Sons -> Rectory Jn (Colwick Colas) on the 07th this month

 

[furnessvale]

Also worth saying that the Port Talbot scrap is planned to go in containers, for ease of unloading, so presumably the loading points may change/new loading points be developed before the EAF comes online

If it is planned to use containers, every loading point need not be rail connected. More intensive use of any container terminals not currently working to capacity could be on the cards.

 

[Adrian Barr]

Also worth saying that the Port Talbot scrap is planned to go in containers, for ease of unloading, so presumably the loading points may change/new loading points be developed before the EAF comes online

If it is planned to use containers, every loading point need not be rail connected. More intensive use of any container terminals not currently working to capacity could be on the cards.

The type of containers proposed for use at Port Talbot are specialised bulk containers, so I'd be surprised if they run to regular container terminals where all of the traffic would have to come in and out by road. See this post - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/the-new-era-of-steelmaking-in-port-talbot.285614/post-7271297

Containers that are or were used for bulk products are often loaded without being removed from the train (e.g. ash and gypsum at Drax, lime at Hardendale). I'm not sure if this will also be done with scrap metal to Port Talbot - a couple of issues would be the possibility for bits of scrap to end up on the intermodal wagons during loading, and the rougher handling that occurs during scrap loading which could potentially damage things like twistlocks. It's possible that scrap terminals loading these containers might work more like refuse transfer stations (where the containers are removed from the train for loading on site) but this would require more room for manoeuvre than is available at a typical scrapyard.

If the loading points require container handling equipment, it's possible that there might be locations which act as regional hubs which load scrap on site, but also receive traffic by lorry in containers from other scrapyards for loading to the train, as suggested above. Treating an open-top container on an intermodal wagon the same as if it was a box wagon, with no change to loading methods or terminals, would require less equipment and no change to terminal operations. But on the other hand, swapping empty containers for loaded ones could reduce the time a train spends in the terminal and make the operation more efficient - loading a scrap train can take several hours. It also depends on whether the current scrap loading points would have the capacity to feed Port Talbot with sufficient volumes in their current configuration. It will be interesting to see what changes come about...

 

[Amlag]

An update on the progress at Port Talbot in installing the EAF etc, incl construction of the facilities to transport the scrap from the RAIL delivery (sidings) yard, states that 70,000 tons of scrap steel will be required each week, most will come by RAIL, that I suspect equates to about 7-10 loaded trains a day from several loading points, hopefully including somewhere in the Devon & Cornwall rail freight ‘desert’.

 

[BRX]

Containers that are or were used for bulk products are often loaded without being removed from the train (e.g. ash and gypsum at Drax, lime at Hardendale). I'm not sure if this will also be done with scrap metal to Port Talbot -

In the video in the other thread you link to, they appear to talk specifically about a wagon type where the container is lifted up and the contents tipped out - it seems they are procuring them specifically.

 

[Adrian Barr]

In the video in the other thread you link to, they appear to talk specifically about a wagon type where the container is lifted up and the contents tipped out - it seems they are procuring them specifically.

For offloading at Port Talbot they will definitely be removed from the train, like the lime containers were. From what I remember of the video, the idea is that the whole container (or rotainer as they call it) can be rotated upside down, by the reach stacker or similar equipment, to empty it in one go instead of using a magnet or grab. My question is what happens when the scrap is loaded - the ash, lime and gypsum flows using containers are or were all loaded with the container still on the wagon, but lifted off the wagon for discharge at the other end.

 

[172007]

For offloading at Port Talbot they will definitely be removed from the train, like the lime containers were. From what I remember of the video, the idea is that the whole container (or rotainer as they call it) can be rotated upside down, by the reach stacker or similar equipment, to empty it in one go instead of using a magnet or grab. My question is what happens when the scrap is loaded - the ash, lime and gypsum flows using containers are or were all loaded with the container still on the wagon, but lifted off the wagon for discharge at the other end.

Queens head sidings in handsworth does have a concrete pad that would probably be compatable with placing scrap in containers, storing and using a reach stacker/lifter to load then onto trains. I am not sure other scrap yards will have the room or a suatable surface to do this easily looking at a few on google. It will costs a few bob too to handle containers as i guess none have reach lifters and also the room to stack containers.

I am guessing over time it may end up with loose scrap going to Port Talbot and then transfered to a container due to costs and convenience. Like many things, looks good on paper but......

 

[zwk500]

Queens head sidings in handsworth does have a concrete pad that would probably be compatable with placing scrap in containers, storing and using a reach stacker/lifter to load then onto trains. I am not sure other scrap yards will have the room or a suatable surface to do this easily. It will costs a few bob too to handle containers.

I am guessing over time it may end up with loose scrap going to Port Talbot and then transfered to a container due to costs and convenience. Like many things, looks good on paper but......

Weren't containers being talked about for use in the Severn Tunnel to stop the risk of scrap metal causing sparks or damage to the OLE? Less relevant for trains from the Birmingham direction (which is probably most of them) but it may be that at least some scrap ends up conveyed by container from e.g. London to facilitate transit of the Severn Tunnel.

 

[BRX]

On the subject of steel (not scrap though) does anyone know if anything is actually happening with Peel Ports' supposed expansion of rail connected facilities as announced about a year ago?

https://www.peelports.com/news-articles/peel-ports-group-to-invest-100m-to-expand-national-steel-and-metals-multimodal-hub/

The UK’s second largest port operator is progressing with £32m to add a further 140,000 sq ft of storage at its Port of Liverpool steel and metals terminals. Overall across the Ports of Liverpool and London Medway, warehousing will be increased by 50 percent from the current 1 million sq ft to create an additional 500,000 sq ft of capacity.


Further plans include creating a second automated terminal in Liverpool dedicated to steel coils, as well as a new automated terminal for the Port of London Medway in Sheerness.


These will be developed to include rail connectivity by a new inland rail terminal in the Midlands.

Of interest here was the possibility of rail freight returning to Sheerness/Medway.

 

[172007]

Weren't containers being talked about for use in the Severn Tunnel to stop the risk of scrap metal causing sparks or damage to the OLE? Less relevant for trains from the Birmingham direction (which is probably most of them) but it may be that at least some scrap ends up conveyed by container from e.g. London to facilitate transit of the Severn Tunnel.

Pass, never heard. That said, the way scrap is loaded there is always a chance some moves and a piece springs up. I have wached the magnetic claws when loading being used to tamp the load down. Always wondered why they never squashed the metal into cubes like they do cars tbh. May be it is graded the other end.

 

[northstaffsman]

Approval given to remove a 23.5 million tonnes ash mountain from Drax power station. One condition is that 65 percent is moved by rail.

 

[Magdalia]

Stone traffic to Sizewell from October/November.

Sizewell has already started see here:

First freight train arrives for Sizewell C build

The trains are planned to bring 100,000 tonnes of material to the site before the end of the year.

www.bbc.co.uk

The first train conveying materials to be used for the construction of a new nuclear power station has arrived at the site.

Sizewell C is being built on the Suffolk coast and is expected to cost £38bn.

The train arrived at 01:30 BST on Tuesday, and bosses at the project said it brought the equivalent of 50 HGVs' worth of construction material.

 

[Class15]

Sizewell has already started see here:

First freight train arrives for Sizewell C build

The trains are planned to bring 100,000 tonnes of material to the site before the end of the year.

www.bbc.co.uk

Not regularly I don’t think?

 

[Magdalia]

Not regularly I don’t think?

Running for three days this week already, according to RTT.

 

[Freightmaster]

Running for three days this week already, according to RTT.

One week only for now - more trains should run in October.


There is quite a bit if detail on deliveries by rail on the Sizewell C 'works tracker' website:

Sizewell C related Traffic Management, Road Closures & Rail Movements - Sizewell C Works Tracker

Please see below for the current and up and coming train movements, road closures and traffic management in relation to the Sizewell C project: See below for current and up and coming freight train movements, road closures and traffic management […]

www.szcworkstracker.co.uk

 

[Trainman40083]

Approval given to remove a 23.5 million tonnes ash mountain from Drax power station. One condition is that 65 percent is moved by rail.

Is that the kind of stuff they use for cement at Hope?

 

[Rail Ranger]

Hope is or has been using ash from Ratcliffe and Fiddlers Ferry.

 

[Freightmaster]

Hope is or has been using ash from Ratcliffe and Fiddlers Ferry.

Flyash trains also run from Drax to Hope:

6M21 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H55457/2026-09-07/detailed