GBRf reveals Class 59 usage plan

The only Class 59/0 in GB Railfreight’s fleet (59003 Yeoman Highlander) will be used on biomass trains in the North West as the freight company steps up its operations.

It is envisaged that 3-4 million tonnes of biomass will run between Liverpool and Drax Power Station each year. The material is brought by ship from North America, and while the majority of product landing in the UK comes through eastern ports, using Liverpool offers Drax an alternative in the event of any disruption.

GBRf has also invested in new Class 66s, a rail yard at Tuebrook (Liverpool), and recruited new train crew for these flows. 

• For much more on this story, and on the flows themselves, read RAIL 787, published on November 11.