Coal From Hunterston To Drax

[RichmondCommu]

G'day everyone,

I've recently read that imported coal is still being transported from Hunterston to both Fiddlers Ferry and Drax Power Stations. Fiddlers Ferry bound coal traffic runs straight down the WCML presumably because its the more direct route however the daily service to Drax runs via Hexham. Given that the most obvious route from Hunterston to Drax is via the S & C why on earth does the train run via Hexham? From what I've read the S & C no longer see's any coal traffic so the reason can't be due to a lack of capacity.

Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Richmond Commuter!

 

[Freightmaster]

Given that the most obvious route from Hunterston to Drax is via the S & C why on earth does the train run via Hexham?

I understand the routing is due to the Drax traffic being operated by GBRf,
who prefer the trains to run via the ECML for crewing reasons.

MARK

 

[RichmondCommu]

I understand the routing is due to the Drax traffic being operated by GBRf,
who prefer the trains to run via the ECML for crewing reasons.

MARK

Ah I wondered if that might be the case. Given that GBRf will be soon be hauling trains from the quarry near Helwith Bridge on the S & C, with regard to crewing reasons I wonder if their stance might change?

 

[Freightmaster]

Ah I wondered if that might be the case. Given that GBRf will be soon be hauling trains from the quarry near Helwith Bridge on the S & C, with regard to crewing reasons I wonder if their stance might change?

Can't see it making a difference - they already work gypsum trains
from Drax to Newbiggin on the S+C.

MARK

 

[RoundNewcastle]

G'day everyone,

I've recently read that imported coal is still being transported from Hunterston to both Fiddlers Ferry and Drax Power Stations. Fiddlers Ferry bound coal traffic runs straight down the WCML presumably because its the more direct route however the daily service to Drax runs via Hexham. Given that the most obvious route from Hunterston to Drax is via the S & C why on earth does the train run via Hexham? From what I've read the S & C no longer see's any coal traffic so the reason can't be due to a lack of capacity.

Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Richmond Commuter!

FreightMaster is right, Its mainly because GBRF have a big presence on Tyneside with the Gypsum from Newbiggin and the very regular coals from Tyne Dock and have a crew base somewhere round here, forgot where it is though.

 

[class 9]

Tyne Dock