Rail Freight: The Midlands

Rail freight is still alive and well in the Midland counties of England, with established freight operators such as Colas Rail, DC Rail, DB and Freightliner Class 90s, DRS Classes 68 and 88, Freightliner and Colas Rail Class 70s, and DB Class 60s on the West Coast Main Line. The closure of coal mines and steel and petroleum terminals has brought the demise of freight-only lines and branches, but the intermodal network has seen cutbacks compensated for by new facilities. Traction has also seen Classes 20, 25 and 31, as well as the Class 08 shunter, commonplace.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2023
Publisher: Key Publishing Ltd

The Midland counties of England continue to be a vibrant hub for rail freight, with a wide range of established operators and services. From the busy West Coast and Midland Main Lines to the thriving quarries of Leicestershire and intermodal terminals in and around Birmingham, rail freight remains an essential part of the region's transportation network.

Colas Rail, with its diverse ballast workings and occasional oil trains to Sinfin, is one of the established freight operators in the area. Alongside the iconic Class 66 locomotives, we also see DB and Freightliner Class 90s on the West Coast Main Line, DRS Classes 68 and 88 on intermodal traffic, Freightliner and Colas Rail Class 70s on various flows, and DB Class 60s on heavy oil and steel trains.

Looking back, the closure of every remaining coal mine in the region has resulted in the demise of numerous freight-only lines and branches in Nottinghamshire, parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire. Many steel and petroleum terminals have shut down, as have several automotive railheads in the Birmingham area. The intermodal network has also experienced some cutbacks, albeit compensated for by the construction of several new facilities.

In terms of traction, we revisit an era when Classes 20, 25, and 31 were commonplace, as well as the humble and often overlooked Class 08 shunter. This comprehensive volume, featuring over 160 carefully chosen photographs, many of which are previously unpublished, takes a detailed look at the changing face of rail freight across the Midlands. It explores the changes in traction, rolling stock, and railway infrastructure over four decades, providing a fascinating insight into the industry's evolution.

Whether you are a rail enthusiast, a logistics professional, or simply interested in the history and development of transportation, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the role of rail freight in the Midlands today and in the past.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 169 x 242 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802823523