Freight on Marches

[Gareth Marston]

Is it my perception or has there been an increase in freight traffic along the Marches route the last few weeks? It may be existing services have been re timed and I know see more of them on my travels. Southbound 0719 ex Shrewsbury or 0938 Northbound generally 1509 ex Newport.

Generally I tend to see Freightliner services rather than EWS and have seen a number of Freightliner drivers "riding the cushions" from South Wales to Crewe.

 

[CheshirePaul]

I have noticed more going through Nantwich over the last few weeks, most were Freightliner 66's. I have been told that it was because Shrewsbury to Wrexham was closed due to the floods so they went on the Marches line all the way to Crewe then via Chester.