Freight traffic, flows and customers Covering (Wagonload) and Bulk (Trainload) traffic (late 1970s - late 1980s) Version 2.3

Updates from 1st Feb onwards 2.3 Updated several flows, a number of unknown traffics or queries have come about. 2.2 Updated several flows, agricultural, household coal, food, unidentified Added Chemical and Aggregate flows. Many notes added regarding UKF Fertiliser traffic 2.1 Added Automotive flows around Severn Tunnel Junction Yard Added Coke flows to Hallen Marsh, and Military Traffic heading Freight traffic, flows and customers Covering Speedlink (Wagonload) and Bulk (Trainload) traffic (late 1970s - late 1980s) Version 2.3

Notes Each of the traffic flows is set out in the same way, as follows:

Origin to Destination, Traffic type for Customer (Bulk, Wagonload/Speedlink, Wagon Types) - followed by any notes of dates, method of operation, related information, motive power.

Any unknown pieces of information are marked with ????.

Sources are varied and too numerous to name individual, but include personal recollections or knowledge, web sources, web forums, books.

Automotive Traffic • Dagenham Dock to Severn Tunnel Jnc Yard, Cars for Ford (Bulk, Cartics/Carflats) Services conveyed Escort and Cortina vehicles. The loaded working from Dagenham would sometimes have a portion for Exeter Riverside included, which went forward as wagonload traffic on an Exeter or Plymouth bound train. The former steam shed was a distribution point. • Dagenham Dock to Exeter Riverside, Cars for Ford (Speedlink, Cartics) See Dagenham Dock to Severn Tunnel Jnc Yard for details.

Agricultural Related Traffic • Immingham to Avonmouth, Fertilizer for Norsk Hydro (Bulk, Cargowaggons) • Immingham to Carmarthen Junction, ???? for ???? (????, ????) • ???? to Braintree, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Traffic was unloaded in the old station goods yard at Braintree. Sometimes International VTG CargoWagons were used. The wagons were tripped to/from Whitemoor Yard, presumably either joining Speedlink services back to Ince, or connecting with other vehicles to form a bulk train back to the North West. 6H78 15:10 Braintree to Whitemoor was the return working in the mid-1980s. • ???? to Dereham, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Still running in 1985. • Ince to ????, Fertiliser for UKF (Bulk, UKF Bogie Vans) Routed via from Ince, near Ellesmere Port. • ???? to Kirkcaldy, Fertisier for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) • ???? to Akeman Street, near Calvert, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Train operated from Aylesbury to Calvert to run-round, then down the former Grendon Underwood to Ashedon Junction line, to the terminal at Akeman Street. • ???? to Gillingham, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Traffic travelled via Eastleigh Yard. • ???? to Chichester, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Traffic travelled via Eastleigh Yard. • ???? to Fratton, Fertiliser for UKF (Wagonload, UKF Bogie Vans) Traffic travelled via Eastleigh Yard. • Ince & Elton to Horsham, Fertiliser for UKF (Bulk, UKF Bogie Vans) Electrically hauled from Crewe to Mitre Bridge Junction, from where a 33 would take the train onto Horsham. • Ince & Elton to Truro, Fertiliser for UKF (Bulk, UKF Bogie Vans - PWAs) Service operated in the early 1980s as a Mondays Only northbound with empty PWA Palvans, following the delivery of bagged fertiliser to Truro.

Aggregate Traffic • Rylstone to Hull Dairycotes, Limestone for Tilcon (Bulk, 2-Axle Hoppers) Traffic was later conveyed in purpose-built bogie hoppers leased from NACCO, Tilcon later sold to Tarmac. • Redmire to Redcar, Limestone for British Steel (Bulk, Private Owner 2-Axle Hoppers)

Bitumen/Tar Traffic • ???? to Glazebrook, . Tar for British Tar Products (????, ????) • Thameshaven to Kilnhurst, Rotherham, Bitumen for Yorkshire Tar Distillers (Bulk, TEAs). Traffic ceased around 1999. Located later became Croda Rotherham. Operated by Class 31s (singly or paired) in the early-mid 1980s. Usually a Ripple Lane Class 37 working in the late 1980s, although Toton allocated 58s were common in the latter days. • ???? to Skipton, Bitumen for ???? (Bulk, Two-Axle Tanks) Was worked by pairs of Class 31s in later years. Still running late 1980s. • Humber, Immingham to Ashton-in-Makerfield, Bitumen for ??? (Bulk, Two-Axle Tanks) Believed to have originated at Humber, Immingham, but may have been different. • ???? to Cranmore, Bitumen for ???? (????,????) Service last operated in 1985. Terminal now part of the East Somerset Railway. Possibly originated at Ellesmere Port

Cement Traffic • Cliffe to Uddingston, Cement for Blue Circle (Bulk, Cemflows) • Earles Sidings to Widnes, Cement for Blue Circle (Bulk, Cemflows) • Earles Sidings to Dewsbury, Cement for Blue Circle (Bulk, Cemflows, PCAs) • Eastgate, Weardale, to South Dock, Cement for ???? (Bulk, ????) • Eastgate, Weardale, to Heaton, Cement for ???? (Bulk, ????) • Eastgate, Weardale, to Scunthorpe, Cement for ???? (Bulk, ????) • Eastgate, Weardale, to , Cement for ???? (Bulk, ????) • Northfleet to Uddingston, Bagged cement for Blue Circle (Wagonload, VDA)

Chemical Traffic • Saltend to Mostyn Dock, Acetic Acid for ???? (Wagonload, 2 Axle Tanks) Traffic conveyed from the BP Chemical works at Saltend, via Healey Mills and Warrington. During the 1990s, was often tripped from Warrington to Mostyn in the accompaniment of steel from Scunthorpe for export. Latter years, was run as a direct train in both directions, with the empties working 6E39 Mostyn Dock - Saltend, and loaded being 6M62 1727 Saltend to Mostyn Dock. • Salted to Spondon, Acetic Acid for ???? (????, 2 Axle Tanks) In the late 1990s, ran as a dedicated train, 6M88 1424 Saltend to Spondon, but may have been wagonload during Speedlink days. • Saltend to Baglan Bay, Acetic Acid for ???? (Bulk, 2 Axle Tanks) During 1998, operated as 6V14 south to Baglan Bay, and 6E33 2015 Baglan Bay to Saltend on the return, arriving just under 12 hours later. • ??? to Melton, near Hull, Calcium Carbonate Slurry for Croxton & Garry (Wagonload, Bogie Tanks) Conveyed on Doncaster to Hull Speedlink and Enterprise trains. Any traffic for the C&G Works at Melton had to travel through the Hull first, and then be deposited at the Works on the return, as there was no rail access from the west to east line. • Corkickle to Ince, Phosphoric Acid for UK Fertilizers (Bulk, small two-axle TUA tanks) View of the train in operation: https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue-diesels/4562717600 • Duxford to Barnstaple/Taunton/Bridgewater, Resin for ???? (Wagonload, TTB tanks) Loaded at Duxford by Ciba Geigy for a firm near South Molton. At various wagons the train operated to Barnstaple, Taunton or Bridgewater for unloading. • Ditton to Willesden, Oxygen for Distiller MG (Wagonload, TTA)

Coal - Power Station/Industrial Traffic • Immingham-Scunthorpe, Coal for British Steel (Bulk, HAA) • Mansfield to Northwich, Coal for ICI (Bulk, MCV/HTV) • Nantgarw to Hallen Marsh, Coke for Commonwealth Smelting (Wagonload, HTVs) HCO 20-ton coke hoppers were used on this flow until the early 1980s. Flow could also originate from Cam or Coed Ely coke ovens, north of Llantrisant. In later years, the flow originated from BSC Grange at Port Talbot. • Hull Docks to Rugby Cement Works, Imported Coal for Rugby Cement (Bulk, MEAs) A flow that operated 1998/1999, using EWS two-axle MEA wagons, conveying imported coal for industrial use. Operated fortnightly on average, usually with a Class 37. The wagons would arrive empty from Washwood Health (6Z83), be loaded and then depart to Rugby. After discharge, they were returned to Washwood Health. • Pontycymer to Jersey Marine, Reclaimed coal for ???? (Bulk, MEAs) The cold from Pontycymer, in the Garw Valley, was blended at Jersey Marine Steel Supply, before being reloaded and sent to Aberthaw Power Station for supplying electricity. • Thornton Yard, Fife, to Cockenzie Power Station, Coal for Scottish Power (Bulk, HAAs) Traffic was loaded from two pads around the yard, and then moved, usually via Dunfermline and the Forth Bridge, to Millerhill at , where it was staged, before onward movement to the power station. Restrictions on the Forth Bridge resulted in shorter than normal sets (24HAA), so three Thornton to Millerhill trains were reformed into two standard length (36HAA) Millerhill to Cockenzie workings.

Coal - Household / Other Mineral Traffic • Cardiff Valleys to Exeter Exmouth Jn, Household Coal for ???? (Wagonload, HEA) • Cardiff Valleys to Preston Bootle Road, Household Coal for ???? (Wagonload, HEAs) • Gascoigne Wood to Mersey Docks, Household Coal for Cawoods (Wagonload, Containers) Moved in 20ft open topped containers, conveyed household coal for export to Ireland. Pre- privatisation flow • Rossington/Gascogine Wood to , Household Coal for British Fuels (Speedlink, Containers) British Fuels took over the Cawoods containers and used them for household coal distribution in Scotland. Several loading points, specifically Rossington and Gascoigne Wood. Moved on Translink Rail Enterprise Network. (post-Privatisation flow) • Swansea Burrows to ????, Containerised coal for Celtic Energy (????, ????) • Linby Colliery, Nottinghamshire, to Aldermaston, Coal for ???? (Wagonload, MCV/HTV) • Deep Navigation Pit, South Wales, to Aldermaston, Coal for ???? (Wagonload, MCV/HTV) • ???? to Princes Risborough, Coal for ???? (Wagonload, HTV/HEA)

Flyash Traffic • West Burton to Fletton, Flyash for CEGB Little Barton (Bulk, Presflows)

Food & Drink Traffic • Foss Island, to Various, Chocolate/Biscuits For Rowntrees (Speedlink, Adapted VDAs) Finished products were shopped to Paddock Wood (routed via the Dover Speedlink service), Penkridge (via Bescot Yard) and Avonmouth. Traffic also conveyed to Wood Green, . • Foss Island, York to Fawdon, Raw Materials for Rowntrees (Speedlink, VDA) Tripped to Dringhouses, trunk service to Tyne, then tripped to Fawdon. Train ran from Tyne Yard, coded 9P11 (when it contained vacuum braked vehicles,) or as 6P03 when the vehicles were air braked. 6P03 usually consisted of six VDAs. • ???? To Fawdon, Tyneside. Coal for Rowntrees (Speedlink, HVAs or HEAs) • Fawdon, Tyneside to ????, Confectionary for Rowntrees (Speedlink, VDAs) • Tripped via York Dringhouses. Traffic ceased same time as Foss Island Rowntrees traffic. • Coxlodge, Tyneside to Foss Island, York, Confectionary for Rowntrees (Speedlink, VDAs) • Bridgwater to Law Junction, Drinks for Showerings (Wagonload, VGA) • Europe (Spain?) to Bridgwater, Peaches for ???? (Wagonload, InterFrigo Ferry Vans) Traffic was presumably conveyed via the Dover-Dundirk Train Ferry • Park Royal to Deanside, , Alcohol for Guiness (Wagonload, VGA) • Park Royal to Speakland, Alcohol for Guiness (Wagonload, VGA)

Grain Traffic • Wroxham to Montrose, Barley for DCL (Spoedlink, PIA hopper) • Fulbourne to Montrose, Barley for DCL (Speedlink, PAA hopper) • Doncaster to Dufftown, ???? for ???? (Speedlink, Private Owner Hoppers) • Dunnington (DVR) to Various, ???? for ???? (Speedlink, Private Owner Hoppers) Traffic was destined for a variety of receiving terminals that were part of the Scottish Distilleries network.

Metals (& related) Traffic • Immingham-Scunthorpe, Iron Ore for British Steel (Bulk, JSA Tipplers) • Docks to ????, Steel Coil for ???? (Bulk, BVW) • Hallen Marsh to Bloxwich, Zinc Ingots for ???? (Wagonload, Ferry Vans) Traffic originated at Commonwealth Smelting, Hallen Marsh. • Hallen Marsh to Europe, Lead/Zinc for ???? (Wagonload, Ferry Vans) Traffic for a plan near Antwerp, Belgium, conveyed via the Dover Train Ferry. Ferry Vans were initially used, although bogie open wagons, hired from Tiphook, were later in operation. • Hull Hedon Road Sidings to Bescot Yard, Imported Steel for ???? (Bulk, various) Conveyed various metals traffic at different times to the West Midlands in a variety of wagon types. • ???? to Hull Docks, Steel Coils for ???? (Wagonload, ????) • Scunthorpe Rod Mill to Wednesbury/Brierley Hill, Steel Wire for ???? (Wagonload, SPA) • ????, South Wales, to Wolverhampton Steel Terminal, Steel for ??? (Wagonload, BCV/BDA)

Military Traffic • ???? to Caerwent, Military Stores for MoD (Speedlink, VEAs) Would be delivered to Severn Tunnel Junction yard on Speedlink services, and forwarded to Caerwent, close to Caldicot station by one of the STJ Pilots on a trip working.

Miscellaneous Traffic • Foss Island to Manchester Victoria, Laundry for British Transport Hotels (CCTs) The 21:50 (later 22:34) York - Shrewsbury mails used to convey a portion for Manchester Victoria detached at Stalybridge, and the train was timed at 60 mph specially to cope with this once per week traffic. • Immingham-Ripple Lane, Newsprint for ??? (Bulk, Cargowaggons) • Widnes to Broughton Lane, Sheffield, Oxygen for BOC (Bulk, bogie tanks) Traffic conveyed in white bogie tanks, with BOC markings. • Doncaster Works to York Wagon Works, Wheels for BREL (Wagonload, OAA style) • Corpach to ????, Paper Rolls for ???? (Wagonload, Freightliner Flats) Traffic was tripped to Fort William by a local engine, then moved on Speedlink services to Mossend for onward distrbution.

Petroleum (and related) Traffic • ???? To Scarborough, Petroleum for ???? (Bulk, TTAs) • ???? To Gateshead Depot, Diesel fuel for (????, TTAs) Usually conveyed in three or four tanks on a daily basis. Tripped into the depot from Tyneside Central Freight Depot • Ripple Lane to Thame, ???? for ???? (Bulk, TEAs) • ??? to Buncrewe, , ???? for ???? (Wagonload, TTA style) • Stanlow to Aberystwyth, Petroleum for ???? (Bulk, TTAs) • ???? to Shrewsbury Abbey, Petroleum for ???? (Wagonload, TTAs) Tripped from Bescot to Shrewsbury Cotton Hill Yard, then to the terminal by the train engine. • Heysham to Haydock, Heavy Oil for Shell-BP (Bulk, TEAs) One block train per day, usually Class 40 or 47 powered. Service commenced around 1969 when the terminal at Haydock opened. Throughput of two million tonnes a year. Haydock is believed to have closed mid-late 1970s. • Stanlow to Haydock, Heavy Oil for ??? (Bulk, TEAs) Two block trains per day, usually Class 40 or 47 powered. Service commenced around 1969 when the terminal at Haydock opened. Throughput of two million tonnes a year. Haydock is believed to have closed mid-late 1970s. • Stanlow to Hunslet East, ??? for ??? (Bulk, TEA) Traffic later originated at Lindsey, Immingham • ???? to Dunglass (Bowling), ??? for Esso (????, ????) • Stanlow to Ecclesfield, Sheffield ???? for ???? (Bulk, ????) Ceased operating around 1983 • Lindsey Oil Refinery to Weaste, ???? for ???? (Bulk, ????) • Ripple Lane to Hawkesbury Lane, Nr Coventry, Oil for Charringtons (Bulk, 2-Axle Tanks) Final flow operated on 7th May 1986, as 6M43 0405 Ripple Lane - Hawkesbury Lane. Train returned south as 7E53 13.42 Hawkesbury Lane - Ripple Lane. 25211 was the motive power for the diesel leg from/to Coventry. The train being electrically hauled to and from Coventry. • Immingham to Brownhills, ???? for ???? (Bulk, ????) • ???? to Fort William, ???? for ???? (Wagonload, TTA Tanks) Traffic is thought to have originated from Grangemouth, and tripped to Mossend yard, then forward on the daily speedlink to Fort William, where the yard pilot or a local engine (usually an 08 or 20) would trip it from the yard into the terminal. • Fawley to Reading Depot, Fuel Oil for British Rail (Wagonload, TTAs)

Sand Traffic • Middleton Towers To Foss Island, York, Sand for Redland Glass (Speedlink, ????) Ceased around 1984. Used for bottle manufacturing at Redfern National Glass

Steel Scrap Traffic • Shipley to Aldwarke, Scrap for United Engineering Steels (Bulk, SSA) Operated from Crossley Evans scrapyard at Shipley. Could use converted HEA wagons in the early-mid 1990s as well. • Inverkeithing to ???, Scrap for ??? (Wagonload, two-axle open wagons) Traffic originated at the Cruicks Scrapyard (Shipbreakers) at Inverkeithing with wagons being tripped to/from Thornton Yard, before being added to trunk services. • Inverkeithing to ???, Scrap for ??? (Wagonload, 16-ton minerals) T W Ward Scrapyard. Traffic was still operational in 1988. • Stratford Market to ????, Scrap for ???? (Wagonload, 16-ton minerals) Tripped from Stratford Market to Temple Mills for onward movement. • Silvertown to ????, Scrap for ???? (Wagonload, PO Scrap/SSA) Tripped from Silvertown to Temple Mills for onward movement.

Timber Traffic • Elgin to ????, Timber for ???? (Wagonload, OTA) • Fort William to ????, Timber for ???? (Wagonload, OTA) • Crianlarich Lower to ????, Timber for ???? (Wagonload, OTA) • ???? to Welshpool, Timber for ???? (Wagonload, OTA) Tripped from Bescot to Shrewsbury Cotton Hill Yard, then to the terminal by the train engine as part of a Speedlink trip to Welshpool and Aberystwyth

Unidentified Traffic • Traffic for Birds Eye, moved from Grimsby East or West March, in small steam-era style containers. • Sugar Beet from ???? in East Anglia, to the Tate & Lyle factory at Silvertown. Operated October to February only. • In 1985, there were trip arrivals at Temple Mills Yard from Willesden, Bow Depot, Gidea Park, Mile End, Shoeburyness, Wolverton, Ripple Lane, Paddock Wood. Can anyone identify the traffic or customers? • VGA vans moving from Wolverton to Corpach - what traffic/customer? • Neuves, France, to Aberdeen, ???? for Unimetal (Wagonload, VTG Cargowagons) - What traffic? Presumably via train ferry • Bescot Yard had trip workings to Bloxwich, Wednesfield (coal?), Langley Green, Wellington, Duddleston (C&W Works?), Bordersley - what traffic/wagon types? • Cerestar traffic (cereals?) moved from Manchester Trafford Park to Aberdeen Waterloo, but what other traffic was shipped from Trafford Park?