As rail freight shows a strong bounce after the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions, we present a gallery of freight in action.
Throughout the pandemic rail freight has continued to play a vital role in keeping the shop shelves stocked and to move other vital commodities around the UK rail network. At the same time it has supported Network Rail infrastructure far and wide to permit huge projects to continue during the lockdowns. We present a sample of such workings.
BELOW: Direct Rail Services’ Class 37 37558 (37424) Avro Vulcan XH558, top and tailing with 37425 Sir Robert Mcalpine / Concrete Bob, passes Haughley on June 2 with the 6P02 1631 Whitemoor Yard to Rayleigh engineers service. (I Sharman)
RIGHT: DB Cargo Class 66 66126, on long-term loan to DRS, hauls the 6U77 Mountsorrel to Crewe Basford Hall at Stone Road on June 1. (Brad Joyce)
RIGHT: GBRF Class 59 59003 is seen running through Freemantle, Southampton on May 31 working the 6O41 Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard engineers, which is part of the core Network Rail infrastructure services that generally run every weekday and can produce anything from a single wagon to a large and varied consist. (Steve Stubbs)
LEFT: GBRF
Class 66 66779 Evening Star climbs towards Hathersage and a foot crossing in the Hope Valley, Peak District with a Tunstead to Wellingborough aggregates working on June 4.
(Robert Falconer)
BELOW LEFT: Freightliner’s 66546 powers the 431V 1215 Trafford Park to Felixstowe North past Chorlton South on June 2.
(Stuart J Hood)
BELOW RIGHT:
DB Cargo Class 60 60074 heads towards Peak Forest on May 31 with a Tunstead to Lostock aggregates working.
(Robert Falconer)
LEFT: DRS Class 88 88010 Aurora passes Slindon on June 1 with the 6X43 Dagenham Docks to Garston. (Brad Joyce)
ABOVE: Colas Class 70 70817 passes Blea Moor on the Settle to Carlisle line on May 27 with the 6J37 logs working. (Chris Gee)
RIGHT: Running eight minutes early 66083, still in EWS livery, hurries the 1034 Corby to Margam empty steel train towards Treddington Crossing, Gloucestershire, on June 1. (John Stretton)
BELOW: Freightliner Class 70 70001 starts to climb Danesmoor Bank at Clay Cross on June 3 with a Leeds to Southampton Intermodal. (Robert Falconer)
LEFT: GBRF Class 66/7 66747 Made in Sheffield on Belstead Bank, Ipswich on June 4 working the diverted 4M29 1045 Felixstowe North-birch Coppice.
It was diverted due to line closure between Peterborough and Melton Mowbray.
(Keith Partlow)