Where does that coal come from?

[nobkins]

Hi All,

This is kind of route building as it will help me decide where else I take my route. Hope nobody minds if they feel it is a little off topic but did not know where else to post it.

For my route (based in Leeds area) I want to add the ability for freight activities as well as passenger. For this I want to add in some of the lines to the Yorkshire Power Stations (Drax, Ferry Hill etc). I live in leeds and often see coal trains (EWS I think) which I am sure are going to the UK's biggest coal fired power station (Drax). They pass through Leeds but I don't know where they come from. I guess it might be Liverpool docks or something but no matter what I google I can't seem to find it out.

So does anybody know where the coal trains that go through Leeds on their way to Drax come from?

If I can find this out I will build part of my route in that direction as well.

Thanks

Jim

[paulz6]

The coal comes from a variety of domestic and international sources. The ones passing through Leeds have probably come from Scotland down the S&C line.

Some useful information can be found here (look under coal supply and transportation section).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drax_Power_Station

[nobkins]

Thanks that's great. I found or the wiki info but I did not think they would come through Leeds from Scotland but down the East Coast main line. I guess it depends where in Scotland they originate. Thanks for your insight.
Jim

[Austcoop]

Hi Jim,

The Freightmaster website will be your best bet. It will give you everything you need to know about the trains. The times they are booked to pass a specific location, the reporting (Head) code, the Start and destination points and the traction booked for that particular train. The only downside is that it is a subscription site, but probably worth it if you want to get 100% accuracy for your route.

Consulting my Freightmaster book from 2007/2008, it shows the following trains to Ferryhill and Drax;

6E82 03:10 New Cumnock - Drax (EWS 66 & Hoppers)
6E75 20:49 Hunterston - Ferrybridge (F/liner 66 & Heavy Haul hoppers)
6E63 23:56 Chalmerston - Drax (Freightliner 66 & Heavy Haul hoppers)
6Z71 04:48 Chalmerston - West Burton (Freightliner 66 & Heavy Haul hoppers)
6Z74 10:13 New Cumnock - Ratcliffe (EWS 66 & Hoppers)
6M32 09:37 Greenburn - Ratcliffe (Freightliner 66 & Heavy Haul hoppers)
6E16 18.44 Newbiggen - Drax (EWS 60 & Empty Gypsum containers)

The coal from New Cumnock originates at an open cast site at Rigghead, as is the coal from Chalmerston (from the open cast site near Dalmellington) and Greenburn (open cast site near New Cumnock)

Coal from Hunterston is imported via a bulk coal terminal on the coast.

The Gypsum comes from the British Gypsum mine near Penrith and is used in the Flue Gas desulphurisation process.

Jim