UK Heavy Haul Freight

[_Henry_]

Hi All,

I have always been interested in the massive double decker heavy haul freight in North America but do we have it here? I know we don't have double stacked freight containers but what is the definition of a 'heavy haul' freight railway over a normal freight railway? Would any of our network count? For example, I often see the large freight flows that come through Birmingham via Small Heath and Dorridge - would they count as 'heavy haul' as they look very long?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Henry

 

[8A Rail]

2500 / 3000 tonne trains in the UK are heavy haul but in no way in comparison with either USA / Canada has on offer. The length of our trains are also restricted by the length of the signal sections too, let alone the restricted 'loading gauge' too.

 

[edwin_m]

There's no technical reason why the signal sections have to be longer than the trains, although a longer train will use more capacity than a shorter one (but much less than the same amount of wagons split into several shorter trains). Length of loops is probably more of a constraint.

In a smaller country flows of goods are also smaller and shorter distance, so even if our infrastructure was compatible it wouldn't necessarily make sense to run fewer larger trains. Also, heavy haul trains aren't usually time-critical so can have the just enough locomotive power to climb the steepest gradient on the route even if the train is down to walking pace when doing so. That isn't possible if the same track also carries frequent passenger trains.

 

[The Planner]

@edwin_m notes, its more loops that are the issue, and they are built more for the Intermodal length trains of 775m. 4000 tonne plus trains run out of the Mendips all the time. Most aggregate trains are normally around the 2200 tonne mark. Intermodal trains are pushing towards 1600 tonnes now.

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

Back in 1999 I went on the RAIL visit to Wisconsin Central. When I showed on of their Ops guys a copy of the TOPS list for a Mendip Rail jumbo train they were impressed by a train that heavy running with a single loco. I think they preferred a bit more redundancy at the front!
Pat

 

[GRALISTAIR]

2500 / 3000 tonne trains in the UK are heavy haul but in no way in comparison with either USA / Canada has on offer.

I might add Australia too. Just to show off- the trains running past my office are approximately 1 mile long! Often 4 locos up front, 1 in the middle and two at the back.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Without getting too bogged down with the distinction between ‘tonnes’ and USA ‘tons’, it is common for heavy haul railways to have axle loads of 35 or even 40 tonnes. The UK limit has been 25 tonnes for many years.
The continental wagons can have load of around 100 tonnes as against about 75 tonnes in GB.
Feel the ground shake as one rumbles by!

 

[furnessvale]

Without getting too bogged down with the distinction between ‘tonnes’ and USA ‘tons’, it is common for heavy haul railways to have axle loads of 35 or even 40 tonnes. The UK limit has been 25 tonnes for many years.
The continental wagons can have load of around 100 tonnes as against about 75 tonnes in GB.
Feel the ground shake as one rumbles by!

To clarify the above.

Max UK axle load is 25tons = 25.5tonnes

Max Europe axle load is 22.5tonnes

Max US axle load is 36short tons = 33tonnes

For a standard 4 axle wagon this all equates to a gross wagon weight of:-

UK 102tonnes

Europe 90tonnes

US 132tonnes

Deducting around 25% of the gross weight will leave an approximation of payload capability.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

To clarify the above.

Max UK axle load is 25tons = 25.5tonnes

Max Europe axle load is 22.5tonnes

Max US axle load is 36short tons = 33tonnes

For a standard 4 axle wagon this all equates to a gross wagon weight of:-

UK 102tonnes

Europe 90tonnes

US 132tonnes

Deducting around 25% of the gross weight will leave an approximation of payload capability.

Of course this all goes back to the differences in rail usage between the US and UK/ Europe, the US doesn't have the fast and super fast passenger trains requiring bowling green standard of tracks sharing with heavy haul freight trains damaging the tracks.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Of course this all goes back to the differences in rail usage between the US and UK/ Europe, the US doesn't have the fast and super fast passenger trains requiring bowling green standard of tracks sharing with heavy haul freight trains damaging the tracks.

Indeed. I will try and post photos or even a video of the rail road crossing outside our plant. It is replaced minimum- every year. Even at only 40mph the very long heavy freights absolutely hammer the rails etc.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Of course this all goes back to the differences in rail usage between the US and UK/ Europe, the US doesn't have the fast and super fast passenger trains requiring bowling green standard of tracks sharing with heavy haul freight trains damaging the tracks.

US class 1 railroads are laid with, I believe, up to 155 lb/ft rail. UK flatbottomed rail, I believe, is (or was) 110 lb/ft. That extra density of steel, provides more structural strength - heavier axle loads running on it.

Sizeable trains also run in Russia, Mongolia, China and India. Freight obviously is heaviest - but I recall seeing (and taking) 21-23 coach trains, whilst travelling in southern India twenty years ago.

 

[eldomtom2]

Of course this all goes back to the differences in rail usage between the US and UK/ Europe, the US doesn't have the fast and super fast passenger trains requiring bowling green standard of tracks sharing with heavy haul freight trains damaging the tracks.

Or rather, the private freight railroads have enough power to keep them off their turf.