Freightliner jumbo train trial successful
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
Dry Bulk,
In the early hours of Wednesday 17 July, a Freightliner 3690 HP, Class 70 locomotive hauled a train with a cargo of aggregate between Merehead in Somerset and Acton in London. Weighing 4624 t, this is the heaviest ‘jumbo’ train currently running in the UK.
The trial run was in preparation for the start of Freightliner’s bulk haulage service for Mendip Rail Ltd., a joint venture between two of the UK’s largest aggregate/cement producers, Hanson UK and Aggregate Industries, who currently use 3300 HP, Class 59 locomotives to run this service.
With diagnostic testing carried out throughout the journey by General Electric on behalf of Freightliner, the anticipated four-hour long journey was completed ahead of schedule making the trial an outstanding success, largely due to the careful planning and collaboration between all key stakeholders.
Bulk Commercial Director for G&W’s UK/Europe Region companies, David Israel, said: “Under the Mendip contract, Freightliner will haul an expected 8 million t of aggregate per year, so it was crucial that we tested the maximum haulage capability using one of our powerful Class 70 locomotives, demonstrating our commitment to providing a safe and efficient service to our customers.”
Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/rail-barge/01082019/freightliner-jumbo-train-trial-successful/
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