Rail Freight Group
On a wet Tuesday night, just before the May bank holiday weekend, Freightliner and Tarmac successfully ran their second trial jumbo train from the Peak District quarries to London. The single Class 70 (No 70006 for those who note such matters) hauled a ‘dead’ ‘66’ and 40 loaded aggregate wagons, together comprising 3,950 tonnes, surpassing the previous train by 100 tonnes. As with the first, the trial ran without incident, and arrived safely at its destination for unloading.
Similar trials have also taken place for customer Mendip Rail between its quarries and Acton (for depots around London), operating up to 4,000 tonnes with a single locomotive. In this case, the trial included the use of sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel, which did not impact on performance.