Freight Disruption Logistics Question

[TheBigD]

I've noticed recently that following a lengthy delay like a loco failure* or some such that some container trains to Felixstowe now get turned around short for their back workings, similar to what happens to passenger trains trains during disruption. Appears to be a new development (or perhaps I didn't notice before). Before it seemed that they ran through to Felixstowe regardless of the delay.

So my question is what happens to the containers returned to the terminal? Are they unloaded and rescheduled on to a different service, are they left on the train and the containers for the next day's service rescheduled? What happens if the next day's run is already full etc etc?

Just curious about the logistics involved.

* For example, when 4L04 failed near Whittlesea a few weeks ago and stopped the job for around 5 hours, it was terminated at Ely, and its return working from Felixstowe started from Ely. I could name a few more examples.

 

[furnessvale]

I could only see that being viable if it was one of those trains which run lightly loaded. Unloading a train for onward delivery by road from a remote location would be a nighmare, and I cannot see the point in returning a full train which would simply have to turn round and take the boxes back again.

 

[GB]

There are not many options for a train that has failed enroute. Sometimes they divert to Harwich and come out again the next day or as in the case of 4L04 turned around and sent back to origin. sometimes the train will be pushed through to empty but not reload. As regards to containers, if it is sent back to where it came from then any urgent boxes will be sent via road or another train if available and any spaces filled where possible. The same for containers that should have been on its back working. Sometimes there are no container changes/swaps and you have lost a complete cycle.

 

[TheBigD]

Thanks for the replies. As I say, I was just curious about the logistics of it.