GB Railfreight has taken delivery of the first of a fleet of 41 hoppers, which will be used to transport sand on behalf of Sibelco from Middleton Towers in East Anglia to Barnby Dun, Monk Bretton and Goole in Yorkshire.
The new fleet replaces old wagons inherited at the start of the contract. They can hold up to 70 tonnes each, meaning services can run shorter 14-wagon services and still deliver the same tonnage. Additionally, the wagons can travel at up to 75 mph when empty, meaning the Southbound 6L31 and 6L987 paths can be re-timed as class 4s.
Andrew Smith, Sibelco’s network logistics manager for SW Europe, said: “The rail service provided by GB Railfreight is an integral element in our supply of high purity Silica sand to the glass industry. The new wagons will enable us to continue providing our customers with a reliable, sustainable, environmentally-friendly service and avoid the need for many hundreds of lorry movements.”
GBRf managing director John Smith said: “We will be able to run shorter, faster trains ensuring timely delivery and demonstrating again the vital role that rail freight plays in keeping the UK economy going.”
“The sand we are delivering will all be used in the manufacturing of glass products. Keeping this off our roads and on the railways decreases congestion, helps tackle air quality issues and improves economic productivity. That is why GBRf is continuing to invest and grow as a business and pushing to have rail freight’s role in delivering the UK economy recognised and expanded.”
