UK operator Freightliner, part of the American Genesee and Wyoming corporation, has made a pair of locomotive purchases. They come from rival DB Cargo UK, part of the German Deutsche Bahn operation. The two biggest rail freight operators in the UK have agreed a deal that sees a pair of ‘class 90’ electric locomotives transfer…
Author: Simon Walton
Timber yard planed for Scottish Highlands
The multinational timber processing company West Fraser would like a rail freight terminal at its Highland mill. The company has begun the planning application process. If it is successful it would see raw timber trains arriving at a production plant near Inverness. Finished product trains would depart, potentially heading for customers all over Europe. They…
UK rail bosses make further calls to deliver promised Ely upgrades
It’s time to make good on commitments to Ely and the East of England. Rail bosses in the region want commitments to improvements. They are emphasising the need for the UK government to stick to the pledges made more than six months ago. Freight and passenger services are being hampered, say the management at a…
UK rail bosses make further calls to deliver promised Ely upgrades
It’s time to make good on commitments to Ely and the East of England. Rail bosses in the region want commitments to improvements. They are emphasising the need for the UK government to stick to the pledges made more than six months ago. Freight and passenger services are being hampered, say the management at a…
GBRf Locomotive named after reluctant hero signalman
The UK avoided a freight disaster forty years ago, thanks to a brilliant, but modest signalman. Commemoration has been made for the quick thinking and potentially life saving actions of Willie Taylor. On the fortieth anniversary of his actions, Carlisle Signalman Willie Taylor has been honoured with a locomotive named in his memory at Carlisle…
London Chessington South ghost platform brought to life by DCRail
In southwest London, there is an adventure to be had at Chessington. It’s not the theme park of the same name. This adventure does not require you to step off the quaint South station. All you need to do is wait and, if the time is right, a train will call at the never used…
Souped up ’66 DB Cargo’s tasty treat
Heavier loads, greater pulling power. Weight for weight, the workhorse Class 66 diesel is already one fo the most powerful locomotives to have turned out on British rails. Now, DB Cargo UK has decided, enough is not enough. The Doncaster-based operator has gotten under the hood and pulled a few customising tricks out of the…
Building future skills for the UK rail industry
The engineering faculty at Edinburgh University is one of the leading sources of graduate talent in the UK. In late April, the school hosted a seminar specifically addressing future recruitment into the rail industry. However, the target audience was not quite ready to start their doctorate studies. In fact, the audience for the interactive welcome…
English city promotes rail freight for industrial development
Doncaster is playing its railway card in a bid to attract investment. The north of England city is leveraging its rich railway heritage as a catalyst for industrial investment. It’s a novel way to harness the collateral benefits of rail development. It may just pay off for the city, which is often overshadowed by more…
Shire of Murray endorses plan to revitalise Pinjarra as a tourist railway
The Shire of Murray is one step closer to realising an ambitious plan to revitalise Pinjarra as a tourist railway destination including bespoke accommodation inside […]