A freight train carrying Welsh timber left Aberystwyth for the first time since 2005 in a trial which could bring regular freight traffic back to the Cambrian line.
The trial freight run was successful and was part of a feasibility exploration into the transportation of timber by rail in a bid to cut carbon emissions. The trial has opened up an opportunity to remove hundreds of large lorries off of rural roads for mid-Wales.
The timber used in the trial came from the forests of Ceredigion and Powys and was carried via a Colas Rail freight service at Aberystwyth on Friday the 29th of April, the timber was transported to the Kronospan manufacturing plant in Chirk, north-Wales. Kronospan manufactures and distributes timber products like wood panelling for furniture and flooring and plays a key role in the timber supply chain.
The train saw ten wagons of unfinished timber leave Aberystwyth on the 29th and was pulled by a pair of Network Rail Class 97 locomotives thanks to a partnership with the freight operator Colas Rail. The Class 97s were specially selected to haul the 700-tonne load over the steep gradients of parts of the line.
Moving such a large amount of timber by rail would see the removal of 16 lorries off of the roads which in turn would reduce carbon emissions and ease traffic congestion. An estimated quarter tonne of carbon dioxide was saved by using the railway for this purpose, which is the equivalent of 30,411 charges of a smartphone or the carbon emissions for each passenger on a one-way flight from Amsterdam to Rome.
Jess Lippett, Network Rail senior route freight manager, said:
“Rail freight is a vital part of our infrastructure, providing a fast, green, safe and efficient way of transporting goods.
“This trial run shows how we can work together to have a positive impact on the environment and the economy, with the potential to remove hundreds of lorries from rural roads while supporting local businesses.”
Simon Metcalf, business delivery manager (North) for Colas Rail said:
“Colas Rail Freight, Kronospan and Network Rail have worked in partnership for many years developing cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for the continuing transportation of timber by rail.
“Our latest venture combines minimal road transportation of timber from the forests of Ceredigion and Powys to the strategic Railfreight hub in Aberystwyth. From here, approximately 700 tonnes of material can be moved by Colas Rail Freight in one trainload to the Kronospan manufacturing plant in Chirk.
“These new services are the first commercial freight trains to operate over the Cambrian rail route for over 25 years – aside from one journey in the early 2000s – and combine route-specific traction with state-of-the-art European Rail Traffic Management Signalling (ERTMS).
“Both Colas Rail and Kronospan continue to strive to identify the reduction of CO2 emissions across their business portfolio.”
Network Rail hopes to work with both Kronospan and Colas Rail on a further test journey in the near future following this successful first trial run.
when is the log train leaving from aber
Would a timetable for these trains be published if this were to become a regular thing?
The reason I ask is the the line from Aberystwyth to Dyfi runs right through my caravan site at Ynyslas.
Excellent idea as long as the trains can be patched without preventing the long awaited hourly passenger trains between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.
Perhaps they can be pathed to cross passenger services at Newtown and Machynlleth as to operate an hourly passenger service would see the Welshpool to Fron Junction dynamic loop together with Talerddig and Dovey Junction loops all used every hour.