First freight trains on HS1

[deltic]

Extract from Railway Gazette

First freight on High Speed 1

27 May 2011

UK: Containers being moved from Hams Hall near Birmingham to Novara in Italy formed DB Schenker Rail's first loaded freight service over High Speed 1 during the early hours of May 27. DB Schenker is to undertake five loaded trials on the high speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel before the end of June, and said the first was 'an outstanding success'.

Work to introduce freight services on HS1 is being supported by the European Commission's Marco Polo programme.

'The connection we provide to mainland Europe is open to freight and passenger operators', said Nicola Shaw, Chief Executive of high speed line infrastructure concessionaire HS1 Ltd. 'We are delighted to be working with DB Schenker Rail and other freight operators. These successful trials pave the way for the introduction of regular freight services to and from the UK and into Europe.'

 

[33056]

Was 92009 with 66152 DIT on 4O57 1540 Hams hall to Dollands Moor, second train tonight with same locos on 4O85 1818 Trafford Park to Dollands Moor (traffic for Rheinhausen in Germany)

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Do any freight services work directly through the tunnel, or does the stop at Dollands Moor see the trains remarshalled? I take it the 92s get swapped for something French on the other side?

 

[33056]

The trains themselves stay as a block train unless anything needs removing due to a defect or other problem - also, the headcodes used through the tunnel are different so they will always change even if the consist doesn't.

The locos might well be changed, as diesels are not allowed in the tunnel and I think that the 92s work in pairs; they work through to Frethun Yard a short distance from the French Portal near Calais but no further into France.

 

[OxtedL]

Do equivalent French locos visit Dollands?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there a requirement for a stop at Dollands Moor anyway for customs purposes - or can the load get sealed at origin and run through non-stop?

If there is always a few hours stopped in Dollands Moor or Frethun for HMRC's purposes there seems little to be gained by running via HS1?

 

[33056]

Do equivalent French locos visit Dollands?

No, though French BB22200 electrics were used for a time when the tunnel first opened until the 92s were delivered / accepted.

 

[OxtedL]

Merci beaucoup. I suspected it was the case, but you never know (particularly in situations like the Channel Tunnel where things could get political...)

 

[RichmondCommu]

The trains themselves stay as a block train unless anything needs removing due to a defect or other problem - also, the headcodes used through the tunnel are different so they will always change even if the consist doesn't.

The locos might well be changed, as diesels are not allowed in the tunnel and I think that the 92s work in pairs; they work through to Frethun Yard a short distance from the French Portal near Calais but no further into France.

Unfortunately they are then forced to switch to SNCF Fret which is not the most reliable of organisations. It is their inefficiency which prevents more freight passing through the tunnel in my opinion.

 

[33056]

I stand to be corrected, but I think most of the DBS flows are handled by ECR in France these days. Not sure who deals with Colas and GBRf / Europorte traffic, France is not my strong point...

 

[pablo]

I don't suppose using HS1 is all about speed. Where is the next upstream river crossing?

 

[Eagle]

I don't suppose using HS1 is all about speed. Where is the next upstream river crossing?

East London Line. (Not counting Tube and DLR of course.)

Never mind that, where's the next upstream CHANNEL crossing?

 

[pablo]

and which way is upstream in the Channel?

 

[OxtedL]

Try not to take it too seriously. :roll:

It would depend what the tides were doing. But regardless, THERE ISN'T ANOTHER ONE, which was the point being made...

 

[WestCountry]

and which way is upstream in the Channel?

Eastwards, I think.

 

[Eagle]

Eastwards, certainly. Before the Ice Age the Channel was the estuary of the Rhine from the point where the Thames joined it.

Back on topic now.