RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 13, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2011 Last Friday (08 April) a new working to Ellesmere Port commenced, sand, for Quinn glass. The empties run from Basford Hall to Middleton Towers, the loaded runs to Ellesmere Port and then the empties return to Basford Hall. The train comprises 26 MJA wagons, and each takes 15 minutes to unload, timing is very tight, they are trying to get an earlier arrival at the Docks (currently 01:15, allowing only 6 hrs, 30 mins to unload, which is exactly right, so no leeway) Here's a simplified plan of the unloading area The loaded train runs from "the station" to Manisty, where it runs round, it then returns up the branch and propels the wagons into the old Cawoods siding (not the original, this has been relaid), and unloading commences, from the rear, i'e the loaded train is gradually pushed further into the siding as unloading continues, this means it blocks the Station/Manisty line but there is (currently) no traffic so it's not an issue. Some shots of the first working, showing unloading and the train at Ellesmere Port, please note these were taken with permission of the staff, this is a working railway and should not be walked upon without correct safety gear (orange vest, toe 'tectors and hard hat) The first train, with 66601, The Hope Valley in charge, was unloaded from the front, ie the whole train propelled into the siding, apparently this caused some wheel burn so the unloading was reversed to commence from the rear, The train viewed from a new foot crossing Waiting a path at the station ... and off we go ... The second train, with 66607 in charge, offered more photo opportunities, but again these were only taken after agreement with all the staff. The sand piles are visible in the background This time I went to Ince and Elton for the empties, I told the driver I wanted a "speed shot" - he obliged The train is booked to run again on Friday this week, The train in the photos is 6Z89 07:42, Ellesmere Port Cawoods - Crewe Basford Hall empty MJAs - the loaded train arrives around 01:15 (!) A video of the first working http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poI9VnBnPzg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiritOfChester Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Great shots and a really interesting read! Ellesmere Port is becoming a bit more interesting railway wise! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 14, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2011 Great shots and a really interesting read! Ellesmere Port is becoming a bit more interesting railway wise! Ta. Indeed, and the Vauxhall car traffic will, hopefully, start in a couple of months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 That grab is an interesting machine- it would appear that the cab has its own hydraulic lifting and lowering mechanism, rather than being fixed in a 'high' position. I wonder how good a job they do of clearing out the inside; does some poor soul have to climb in with brush and shovel for the last bits (the sort of job Manpower used to send me on..)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 14, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2011 That grab is an interesting machine- it would appear that the cab has its own hydraulic lifting and lowering mechanism, rather than being fixed in a 'high' position. I wonder how good a job they do of clearing out the inside; does some poor soul have to climb in with brush and shovel for the last bits (the sort of job Manpower used to send me on..)? I don't think they worry about the last grains, the corners and ends must be really tricky but I suppose their calculations include this as a residue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 Todays working had 66620 at the helm, The empties had left the dock early, I arrived at 07:15 and they'd gone, bit of a pain as I wanted to video the departure, so off to the station in case they were being held, and fortunately they were, in fact they were held until booked departure at 08:02 Off we go, same friendly driver as Wednesday, notice the light approaching on the left, the next terminating service off the Wirral lines Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 More on a similar grab machine at Terex-Fuchs: http://www.terex-fuchs.com/en/machines/product-range/mhl-320.html not that I'm a digger-spotter you understand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 What's 'wheel burn', Dave? That's not a term I've heard before. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 What's 'wheel burn', Dave? That's not a term I've heard before. Wheel spin leaving marks on the rail head, hth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Got you, thanks. Does the train rejoin the main line on a gradient, then? I'm struggling to grasp how loading from the other end can make a difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CullingworthGNR Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Great photos. Just had a look on Google Earth at the Ellesmere Port area and had a hard time finding where this was - there are so many disused sidings around that area. If only rail had managed to stay competitive with road, that area would be buzzing with freight activity all day long! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIR DUBALOT Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Really interesting thread, really enjoyed reading many thanks. Willy............ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stuart A Posted April 15, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 Am I right in thinking the Quinn glass plant is on the old site of Ince B power station, which is near the UKF/Kemira plant- which was rail served. I would have thought that it would make more sense to use this line, unless there are no suitable unloading points or the spur is no longer useable? Nice to see an increase in freight in the area (I'm an ex Helsby man) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 Got you, thanks. Does the train rejoin the main line on a gradient, then? I'm struggling to grasp how loading from the other end can make a difference. The siding is on a rising gradient, and then the branch itself climbs and eventually does a near 180 left hand curve, hopefully this helps http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=maps&ie=UTF8&ll=53.287154,-2.899017&spn=0.014367,0.042186&t=h&z=15 The line heads up the page from the left of Ellesmere Port station, the right hand side of Junction 8 on the M53 is over where the new siding joins the branch, just to the "up" of that (J8) is "Gibson CT", that is where the sand siding is now located. hth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 Am I right in thinking the Quinn glass plant is on the old site of Ince B power station, which is near the UKF/Kemira plant- which was rail served. I would have thought that it would make more sense to use this line, unless there are no suitable unloading points or the spur is no longer useable? Nice to see an increase in freight in the area (I'm an ex Helsby man) Hi Stuey, Yes and yes, but give it about 12-18 months and the connection, "hopefully" will be back into use, when West Cheshire Junction box burnt down the connection was put onto Helsby box, this is still intact but only the first few yards into where the sidings used to be, so a lot of (siding) relaying required, hth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2011 Great photos. Just had a look on Google Earth at the Ellesmere Port area and had a hard time finding where this was - there are so many disused sidings around that area. If only rail had managed to stay competitive with road, that area would be buzzing with freight activity all day long! After the fuel price rises it's a lot more competitive, the Peel guys have ambitious plans but they probably aren't for sharing on an open forum, if their ambitions are realised there will be a lot of trains around the area over the next few years B) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 The siding is on a rising gradient, and then the branch itself climbs and eventually does a near 180 left hand curve, Yes, that explains it. Can't be an easy job either way round, then. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 3, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 3, 2011 Here's another couple of shots of the empties, taken on Royal Wedding Friday (29/04/2011) Frodsham Junction and, after reversal at Warrington, at Acton Bridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippy Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Finally found them Dave Great pics and brilliant news for the area new rail traffic. Lee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd1234 Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Last Friday (08 April) a new working to Ellesmere Port commenced, sand, for Quinn glass. The empties run from Basford Hall to Middleton Towers, the loaded runs to Ellesmere Port and then the empties return to Basford Hall. ... The sand piles are visible in the background Great pictures and information on this interesting working! May I ask the meaning of the sign in the picture above, white backed black cross? Ronan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted June 22, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 22, 2011 Great pictures and information on this interesting working! May I ask the meaning of the sign in the picture above, white backed black cross? Ronan Ta, It's an advanced warning board for the crossing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd1234 Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 much appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Very interesting read here... And its right on my door step too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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