Class 56 on containers?

[alex17595]

I was working last night between Stafford and crewe and I (think) I saw a 56 hauling containers southbound.
It was dark so I could only really see the headlight and one of the tankers that goes in a frame.
possiby between 0000-0230 on Wednesday night.

So my question is did this run? or am I seeing things?

 

[Beveridges]

I've looked on Real Time Trains, the only Class 56 working between Stafford and Crewe at around that time would have been the Chirk Colas Rail - Carlisle which will be empty log-carrying wagons. This ran via Stafford (23:59) and Crewe (00:28) last night. I cannot see any other workings that are usually 56-hauled at around that time at Stafford.

However, this is a northbound working which does not match your description which states a southbound working with Containers.

DCR & Colas are the only two FOC's with 56's currently. I don't think DCR / Colas Rail run any regular Container trains so it would have either been on hire or rescuing a failed train for a 56 to be seen on a container train.

 

[alex17595]

Im not really sure what it was, I did see the log train going northbound.
I could have been something else, but it was not a 66/70/90 which were going passt all night.

 

[bronzeonion]

Could have been a 47? Mind you who has 47's hauling a container train these days? Possibly DRS?

 

[Beveridges]

Possibility of a 47 or 57 as there are booked DRS Intermodals between 00:00 - 02:30 in that area.

 

[alex17595]

Probably one of them then. Can't tell the different in the pitch black!

 

[Beveridges]

That section of the WCML is so busy for freight at night, shame its not like that in the day as well.

 

[8A Rail]

Network Rail's 57306??? Poss to Ironbridge PS? Just a thought.

 

[Crawley Ben]

Network Rail's 57306??? Poss to Ironbridge PS? Just a thought.

Correct - picture on wnxx on latest news section.

Ben

 

[RichmondCommu]

Correct - picture on wnxx on latest news section.

Ben

But in that case why would it be hauling containers?

 

[Boothby97]

But in that case why would it be hauling containers?

Photo shows containers. Another one (not mine), http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/d1021/12993276355/
Have also looked through some TOPS lists - none of the DRS 47/57s were out on Intermodal working, and there weren't any DC Rail/Colas 56s (other than the Chirk-Carlisle empty logs) out in that area.

 

[Crawley Ben]

But in that case why would it be hauling containers?

Shortage of available traction for the usual operator maybe? I'm sure someone on here will know the real answer....

Ben

 

[DarloRich]

The NR 57 has been on hire to GBRF to cover for a 66. I assume that the missing 66 should have worked the Seaforth - Ironbridge train but was u/s or needed elsewhere. Therefore the 57 went onto the Ironbridge train and worked an out and back run. The 57 then went back south on a cartic train from Arpley to Tonbridge. I dont know how it got north.

The service with the containers seems to be some sort of containerised coal service to Ironbridge from Seaforth docks

Could be wrong as this is put together through supposition and no "official" sources

 

[Freightmaster]

The service with the containers seems to be some sort of containerised coal service to Ironbridge from Seaforth docks

Almost - it's containerised biomass (Ironbridge cannot burn coal now, AFAIK).

MARK

 

[DarloRich]

Almost - it's containerised biomass (Ironbridge cannot burn coal now, AFAIK).

MARK

I didn't know it was bio mass only now - interesting!

 

[Beveridges]

I've done a quick search on TRUST and cannot find any workings going to/from Ironbridge that ran through Stafford/Crewe anywhere near the times the OP is talking about...

(00:00-02:30 on Wednesday night)

Plus, this working will not have any of those "Tankers that go into a frame" that the OP mentioned he saw.

What he saw is still a mystery as far as I'm concerned.

 

[alex17595]

I've done a quick search on TRUST and cannot find any workings going to/from Ironbridge that ran through Stafford/Crewe anywhere near the times the OP is talking about...

(00:00-02:30 on Wednesday night)

Plus, this working will not have any of those "Tankers that go into a frame" that the OP mentioned he saw.

What he saw is still a mystery as far as I'm concerned.

I think I was tired and saw something else!

Just for clarifiation, the tankers were similar to this;