Is there such a thing as a Mixed Freight Anymore

[button_boxer]

I have always wondered whether there could be an opportunity for cargosprinter traffic in the UK. So many old goods yards have had shopping complexes built on them, and yet each one of those stores has supplies delivered in a massively inappropriate lorry. By definition, many must still have a convenient rail connection possible, and a cargosprinter would be an ideal delivery method

Not necessarily by definition, considering that the shopping centre is probably in the middle of the site surrounded by car parks...

 

[Shimbleshanks]

As far as I can find out, they built two of the Japanses ones- hasn't exactly taken off.

And I belive that an aussie firm did take delivery of a CargoSprinter set for use on intermodal, but it didn't last long in service. Pretty sure they're only used elsewhere, as in britain, as modular departmantal vehicles.

Pity, the concept seems good.

A firm called Exel Logistics (now part of Deutsche Post/DHL) did try moving some commercial freight on MPV vehicles in this country on a trial basis. But it never got beyond that stage. I think they were also tried for moving log traffic from various places in Wales, loading from prearranged sites on the running line.

 

[sprinterguy]

Didn't the 141s end up as Cargo Pacers?

Nope, a few went into preservation and the majority of the class was shipped over to Iran, to act as passenger stock. The "Cargo Pacer" proposal was some crackpot idea from Morocco intended for when the 142s are finally withdrawn.

 

[TGVDUDE]

There is still a sort of enterprise working within south Wales, Barry - ADJ (wentloog also I think) then onto bescot/didcot and wembley, although I think the latter may have ended.

 

[DownSouth]

Nope, a few went into preservation and the majority of the class was shipped over to Iran, to act as passenger stock.

I thought relations between the UK and Iran were cool, but I didn't know the UK hated Iran that much!

 

[tirphil]

They did indeed. From various locations on the Cambrian, EWS crewed the services and the MPV type vehicles were based at Salop. This must have been about 7 or 8 years ago I think.

 

[ChristopherJ]

There are still several wagonload mixed freights operating in the UK - especially on the WCML corridor between England and Scotland in the late evening/early morning, a lot of marshalling still occurs to cross-country traffic at locations such as Arpley yard at Warrington in Chesire.

DBS recently transferred a majority of their remaining wagonload traffic from Wembley yard in London to Didcot yard in Oxfordshire - some nice mixed and random consists still make their way up and down the country and to/from the Channel Tunnel.

On continental Europe, mixed wagonload freight remains integral due to alliances formed between national railway companies - some examples include COBRA (SNCB + DB), Sibelit (SBB + SNCB + SNCF + CFL) and Xrail (http://www.xrail.eu/).

 

[9K43]

I have shunted in all the above Yards in Yorkshire/W/N.
The best place was Europort and Stourton Container Base.
Also Norminton S and T, Neville Hill Depot/ Hunslet East,L783/784.
Whiithall Road, Wakefield Westgate Cars.

York Yards North/South, Holgate sidings.
The list is endless.
Thats when you had to know the route, now we flash past these places and remember when, when a 350 was a 350.

 

[HSTEd]

A firm called Exel Logistics (now part of Deutsche Post/DHL) did try moving some commercial freight on MPV vehicles in this country on a trial basis. But it never got beyond that stage. I think they were also tried for moving log traffic from various places in Wales, loading from prearranged sites on the running line.

The log traffic trial was relatively successful as I understand it except it was hindered by the lack of a loading siding which meant they had to rush load the trains and use more lorries/staff.

Pity.

Its rather impressive that the CargoSprinter can actually in theory beat road haulage for supermarket logistics speedwise and still use less fuel.

 

[IanXC]

Nope, a few went into preservation and the majority of the class was shipped over to Iran, to act as passenger stock. The "Cargo Pacer" proposal was some crackpot idea from Morocco intended for when the 142s are finally withdrawn.

Ah yes I felt like there was some Morrocco involvement somewhere!

I thought relations between the UK and Iran were cool, but I didn't know the UK hated Iran that much!

I think its safe to say relations have deteriorated markedly since then. Iran is physically unable to pay for goods purchased from the UK, and I hardly see we'd give them away!

 

[Clip]

This wasnt heavily mixed but there were a few tanks on a container train that rolled through highbury today at around 1645... did make a nice rumble i must say

 

[Penmorfa]

talking of CargoSprinters, there is this interesting idea in Dresden:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CarGoTram
the gauge is 4 foot 9.1 inches curiously

 

[Legzr1]

York Yards North/South.

It wasn't that long ago you could have trains as far back as Tollerton to the north and Church Fenton to the south waiting to get in there.

What's left?

A couple of roads filled with FLHh criples and the odd on-track machine

 

[HSTEd]

Ooops, somehow my post from Metro ended up here.


That's annoying.

Either way, I wonder if anyone has done any cost benefit analysis in terms of reduced road overcrowding, maintenance and fatalities due to the Swiss not having vast numbers of lorries rolling in all directions compared to the subsidies required to make it happen.

 

[9K43]

It wasn't that long ago you could have trains as far back as Tollerton to the north and Church Fenton to the south waiting to get in there.

What's left?

A couple of roads filled with FLHh criples and the odd on-track machine

I was on York shed the night after the Minster caught fire.
Also I was trapped in York Yard South Cabin for many hours having to breathe in Fag smoke for upto 6 hours, not my favourite place or smell.
If the fags did not get you, then the gas fire would.
Opposite York Shed as a brand new HST shed, guess what, its now a housing estate. Nowt new there then.
There was a mess room on the Station, next to the Harrogate Platform, with a national line telephone good for ringing home for nowt.