Old King Coal Looking Merry Again. 66 204 in Falkland Yard.
Catching some spring sunshine 66 204 stands on no.2 up reception line in the increasingly unkempt Falkland Yard. Once the hub for the Ayrshire Coalfield train operations the location has fallen on hard times in recent years with first the diesel depot closing then the traincrew depot following it into history. However the yard does cling on in DB Schenker ownership and traffic has been picking up again caused by changes in the world energy market.
The fact that United States power generators have switched big time to burning shale gas which is readily available in North America has forced the US coal market to slash prices so UK power generators have been able to buy coal much cheaper than UK producers can dig it out the ground and more importantly import gas from Europe or North Africa. This means the prospect of many more coal trains for 2013 with Hunterston playing a big part in the upsurge as it can take the largest bulk carriers from North America.
66 204 is working 4S90 08.35 coal empties from Carlisle Kingmoor Yard to New Cumnock Crowbandsgate Coal Terminal. It is booked to recess here between 11.15 and 12.07 for pathing requirements relating to the single line from Newton Junction to Mauchline Junction.
Old King Coal Looking Merry Again. 66 204 in Falkland Yard.
Catching some spring sunshine 66 204 stands on no.2 up reception line in the increasingly unkempt Falkland Yard. Once the hub for the Ayrshire Coalfield train operations the location has fallen on hard times in recent years with first the diesel depot closing then the traincrew depot following it into history. However the yard does cling on in DB Schenker ownership and traffic has been picking up again caused by changes in the world energy market.
The fact that United States power generators have switched big time to burning shale gas which is readily available in North America has forced the US coal market to slash prices so UK power generators have been able to buy coal much cheaper than UK producers can dig it out the ground and more importantly import gas from Europe or North Africa. This means the prospect of many more coal trains for 2013 with Hunterston playing a big part in the upsurge as it can take the largest bulk carriers from North America.
66 204 is working 4S90 08.35 coal empties from Carlisle Kingmoor Yard to New Cumnock Crowbandsgate Coal Terminal. It is booked to recess here between 11.15 and 12.07 for pathing requirements relating to the single line from Newton Junction to Mauchline Junction.