Brandon Freight Terminal - in use

[eastdyke]

During my great bus tour of East Anglia yesterday (Ely derailment) I did manage to spend a little time on the train.

I was pleased to notice that aggregate was being unloaded at Brandon Freight Terminal, the first time that I have seen the siding in use for some time. An EWS branded DBS '66' was the loco involved, along with new looking wagons.

Is this part of a new regular flow or a one-off'?

Cheers!

 

[bnsf734]

There is a photo in the new issue of Rail magazine out yesterday about this new flow. According to the caption of the photo it is aggregate being delivered from Peak Forest for the construction of runways at RAF Marham for the introduction of F35A Lightning II aircraft. The first train ran on July 19, no idea on the length of the contract.

 

[Gbrf1996]

Arrived Monday morning and was due to go back that afternoon but the Ely West derailment put paid to that. ..

 

[eastdyke]

Thanks both.

It will therefore be of limited duration, all good to see nonetheless. I think that the works at Marham are for a new hanger, a replacement taxiway, runway resurfacing and new VTO pads.

Much of the aggregate for the taxiway is recycled, limiting the quantity of 'new' materials.

The derailment at Ely has really highlighted what an important section of the railway Ely-Peterborough is. Without huge investment involving difficult terrain it will continue to be a route critical to network capacity, both passenger and freight. And with all those crossings too :cry:

Cheers!

 

[jamesontheroad]

Just rolled through Brandon this morning (actually my old home station, from distant childhood). The area east of the station has now been cleared somewhat, and there appear to be some new aggregate storage bays constructed out of old sleepers. Also a shiny new logo of the freight company on the track side (Brook?)

Is the siding to be south of the railway, serving the concrete factory, still intact?

 

[nottsnurse]

There is a photo in the new issue of Rail magazine out yesterday about this new flow. According to the caption of the photo it is aggregate being delivered from Peak Forest for the construction of runways at RAF Marham for the introduction of F35A Lightning II aircraft. The first train ran on July 19, no idea on the length of the contract.

Just a small point. The RAF and FAA are due to receive the F35B (STOVL capable model) not the F35A (conventional take-off model). Hence the need for strengthening of runways, taxiways and construction of type-specific VL pads. The F35B is quite the little concrete destroying machine, even unarmed.