Hellifield WCRC - Rolling Stock Additions

[Iskra]

Passing today, beyond the usual old parcels stock there are some more recent additions. Can anyone explain where the 4-wheel MR truck has come from please? I’m guessing it’s not a genuine MR truck, just an old BR one re-painted? Any reason why it’s there?

Also, there are a number of loaded lumber wagons present in the WCRC sidings. I’ve never seen any of those there before, how come they are there please?

 

[Townsend Hook]

There’s a new flow of timber traffic from Hellifield to Chirk, operated by Colas Rail, which gets loaded in the WCRC yard.

 

[Ken H]

There’s a new flow of timber traffic from Hellifield to Chirk, operated by Colas Rail, which gets loaded in the WCRC yard.

where are they chopping down trees for that?

 

[55018ballymoss]

There’s a new flow of timber traffic from Hellifield to Chirk, operated by Colas Rail, which gets loaded in the WCRC yard.

i would have thought the access road to Hellifield station was not suitable for HGV access?

 

[Townsend Hook]

i would have thought the access road to Hellifield station was not suitable for HGV access?

I’m not massively familiar with the area myself, but according to Google Maps there’s another road access into the yard, at the Carlisle end, off Waterside Lane. Looks to be a much easier way to bring lorries in and out than from the station end.

 

[55018ballymoss]

I’m not massively familiar with the area myself, but according to Google Maps there’s another road access into the yard, at the Carlisle end, off Waterside Lane. Looks to be a much easier way to bring lorries in and out than from the station end.

Fair enough.
So this log train runs instead of the Carlisle to Chirk service, or do both run now?

 

[Townsend Hook]

The Carlisle trains are still running.
I don’t know if the Hellifield flow is a permanent thing, or if it’s just a trial or a short-term operation, someone else might know more.

 

[Ken H]

I’m not massively familiar with the area myself, but according to Google Maps there’s another road access into the yard, at the Carlisle end, off Waterside Lane. Looks to be a much easier way to bring lorries in and out than from the station end.

You are spot on. Dont know when it was built but it has a refuge for right turners off the A65 and is a wide straightish road. Goes nowhere tho. The A65 end was blocked with concrete blocks a while back but they have gone now so anyone can drive down.

 

[class 9]

where are they chopping down trees for that?

I would have thought Forest of Bowland area.

 

[D6130]

I’m not massively familiar with the area myself, but according to Google Maps there’s another road access into the yard, at the Carlisle end, off Waterside Lane. Looks to be a much easier way to bring lorries in and out than from the station end.

Yes, it was built about twenty years ago for access to West Coast's aborted museum, car park and picnic area, which was cancelled when Craven District Council's planning department discovered that the new shed had been built outwith the requirements of its planning permission....mainly due to the fact that there was insufficient space between the upright girders of the end doors and the cab windows of locos and units entering or leaving the shed - this being not long after the unfortunate death of a St Blazey driver in Cornwall in similar circumstances, with all the attendant bad publicity. The council ordered West Coast to demolish the shed and rebuild, but their 'charismatic' boss refused and just abandoned the whole project....leaving the villagers' hopes of a tourism boost in tatters. Since then the uncompleted shed and sidings have just been used for storing old derelict parcels and mail vehicles as 'christmas trees' for runnable coaches based at Carnforth. However, three or four weeks ago there was a big shunt-around to clear the open air sidings ready for the timber traffic - the loading of which must be earning West Coast a penny or two.

 

[randyrippley]

where are they chopping down trees for that?

Possibly the Northwest Water property in Bowland
They've had a project for several years to clear-fell the non-native plantations and replant with native species.
Generally a good idea but bad news for the goshawks, eagle owls and crossbills

 

[Razorblades]

Possibly the Northwest Water property in Bowland
They've had a project for several years to clear-fell the non-native plantations and replant with native species.
Generally a good idea but bad news for the goshawks, eagle owls and crossbills

Sorry for this wee ramble OT, but I reckon you're right about this type of plantation and goshawks; I was delighted to see one above the very similar Border-country Riccarton forest at the end of July.