Wheels of Industry. Hardendale Quarry, Cumbria.
Shapfell Limestone Quarry was originally owned by British Steel before becoming part of Corus Group the Anglo Dutch steel maker. In recent years with Corus sold to Indian steel giant Tata the site known as Hardendale to the railway industry has been dispatching less product by rail. Trains used to run daily carrying lime to Teesside but now just one flow remains running three days a week (MWFo) to Margam in South Wales for Port Talbot Abbey Steelworks. The lime on this flow is all containerised rather than the more traditional covered hopper trains that used to run to Lackenby on Teesside. (The wagons left will depart as 6V71 18.30 to Margam Knuckle Yard).
The resident shunt pilot owned by Tata is ex BSC no.272 named Grosmont built by GEC Traction in 1978 (wks no.5470). On this date it had broken down and stands outside the loading bunker while standy loco no.404 idles on the rounding road in the middle. No.404 moved here when Workington Steelworks closed along with sister no.403 but only 404 is operational. It is of similar age to the GECT loco being built by Hunslet Engine Co. Leeds with works no. 8978 of 1979.
Wheels of Industry. Hardendale Quarry, Cumbria.
Shapfell Limestone Quarry was originally owned by British Steel before becoming part of Corus Group the Anglo Dutch steel maker. In recent years with Corus sold to Indian steel giant Tata the site known as Hardendale to the railway industry has been dispatching less product by rail. Trains used to run daily carrying lime to Teesside but now just one flow remains running three days a week (MWFo) to Margam in South Wales for Port Talbot Abbey Steelworks. The lime on this flow is all containerised rather than the more traditional covered hopper trains that used to run to Lackenby on Teesside. (The wagons left will depart as 6V71 18.30 to Margam Knuckle Yard).
The resident shunt pilot owned by Tata is ex BSC no.272 named Grosmont built by GEC Traction in 1978 (wks no.5470). On this date it had broken down and stands outside the loading bunker while standy loco no.404 idles on the rounding road in the middle. No.404 moved here when Workington Steelworks closed along with sister no.403 but only 404 is operational. It is of similar age to the GECT loco being built by Hunslet Engine Co. Leeds with works no. 8978 of 1979.