Trial container trains operated

MARCH 10 saw a test run from Ballina to Waterford Port (Belview), operated in conjunction with transportation company XPO Logistics, to assess the practicality of moving loaded refrigerated containers by rail.

The 11.05 ex-Ballina was worked throughout by GM No. 222. The train consisted of nine wagons, three of which had a 45 foot ‘reefer’ box while the other wagons were empty. Arrival at Belviewwas at around 18.00 and the containers were then transferred to a ship.

If the test run has proved successful, it may see the return of revenue earning traffic to Belview. Its last rail-borne unit load service, to and from Ballina on behalf of DFDS, ceased on June 5, 2018.

That flow regularly featured the small fleet of container pocket wagons (CPWs), which are stored at present.

Another test run on behalf of XPO operated from Waterford Sallypark yard to North Wall on March 13. It departed at 09.50, with No. 222 working the empty train that consisted of the nine container wagons it had hauled from Ballina three days previously.