Six-week trial of Scottish timber train freight
A six-week timber train trial is under way in Scotland, with up to three trains a week running between the Caithness loading terminal and Inverness.
Victa Railfreight was awarded £195,000 from the Scottish Government for the trial, which uses West Coast Railways Class 37s as the traction with DB
Cargo providing the wagons. The announcement was made on August 6.
Around 6,000 tonnes of timber is expected to be carried during the trial, equating to the removal of more than 250 lorries and 55,000 lorry miles from Scotland’s roads. The cross-industry effort has received support from Network Rail and the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership.
“Victa is delighted that the Scottish Government has provided substantial funding, so that we could bring together rail freight and timber industry partners to enable this collaborative trial of moving timber by rail,” said Victa Railfreight Managing Director Neil Sime.
“We hope that it will lead to further movements of timber by rail across Scotland, providing greener solutions and reducing damage to sensitive rural roads.”
Jamie Farquhar, the national manager for Scotland for forestry and wood trade body Confor, said that rail might be the only way to transport otherwise landlocked timber to market, while Network Rail Scotland’s Senior Route Freight Manager Anne MacKenzie expressed confidence that the trial would demonstrate that rail is a viable and sustainable way to transport timber.
Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “We have worked closely
with the timber and rail freight industry to explore opportunities for modal shift. I am delighted to confirm funding for this rail freight trial which will remove around 250 lorries from our busy roads.
“This Government has a strong track record of support for rail freight. We know that rail freight and modal shift to rail reduces road congestion, improves air quality and reduces emissions.
“The trial will help to demonstrate that the movement of timber in Scotland by rail is possible as well as efficient. It will provide confidence to both the timber and rail freight industries to develop permanent and sustainable solutions to meet market needs.
“This type of collaboration can support a sustainable green economic recovery from the current health crisis. It is good news for the timber and rail freight industry, for the Scottish economy, and for the environment.”