Home»All Photographs»Weardale Railway»Colas Coal Flow 2011 - 2013»2011»Colas Freight Trial

A HISTORIC GALLERY:
Freight returned to Weardale, the first time since early 1993 with 66842 having the role of making a small amount of history by being the first freight engine to haul a train back onto the Bishop Auckland branch and the Weardale Railway. Colas rail have the contract to bring out locally opencast coal from the Weardale Railway depot at Wolsingham, and provided a class 66 with former Freightliner Heavy Haul wagons for the flow. The engine and train ran today as a trial but it marks the first freight train to return, with a regular service to commence when pathing requirements and logistics of the operation are tested and adjusted.
The train ran from Tees Yard, where the wagons had been deposited, to Wolsingham in the very early hours and was seen at Heighington, Bishop Auckland, Witton Park, Witton-le-Wear and Wolsingham.
Further updates to this gallery will show other trials as they happen.....