RAIL FREIGHT TODAY

Volume 9

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes.

Some remarkable changes have occurred during the short time it has taken to produce the entire first series of Rail Freight Today.

While there have been a few notable gains, many freight flows have ceased. Wagon load traffic in the form of the Speedlink network has been abandoned, although several private companies have tried (and failed) to market viable Rail freight services.

Scottish rail freight has been decimated, and much of the remaining MGR traffic is now at risk. These major changes plus privatisation, probably the most important change to rail freight ever announced, are examined in this programme. Shot mainly during the Summer of 1992, for the well established and popular Rail Freight Today series, it covers all the most appealing freight flows including:-

Coal traffic flows from Plenmellor, Padiham, Gladstone Docks, Parkside, Longannet, Pontchymmer. Requiem for the Class 20 and 26, with action in the North West and the last remaining Class 26 freight working in Scotland.

Freightconnection 1992, a review of the most interesting exhibits. Scotland, what future now for rail freight? A look at traffic flows since the closure of Ravenscraig. Freightliner services. Wagon load traffic review, including the old Speedlink services, compared with Tiger Rail, Charterail and the new RFD services, including grain on the Burghead branch in Scotland, Bulklink, Albright and Wilson, and the new block wood service to Shotton.

A comparison with some interesting European traffic flows, including French and German wagon load traffic and a nostalgic look at the last steam hauled rail freight to work regularly in Eastern Germany.

Rail Freight Today
Titles in this Series