Coal trains

[ianrail]

I recently woke up (a bit late as always, I know) to the fact that coal trains are very rapidly disappearing from our railways. Belatedly I would like to get to see some and photograph them for the last time. But where? In my recent travels round the country I haven't seen as much as a single coal wagon.

Can any member advise me where to see them? Happy to travel some considerable distance if I know I'll see coal being hauled when I get there. Thanks for any advice.

[pre65]

At Barnetby (Lincolnshire) you will see lots of power station coal being delivered after unloading from ships at Immingham.

Quite a busy station for coal freight.

And, the local chip shop is ace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnetby_railway_station

[ianrail]

Originally Posted by pre65

At Barnetby (Lincolnshire) you will see lots of power station coal being delivered after unloading from ships at Immingham.

Quite a busy station for coal freight.

And, the local chip shop is ace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnetby_railway_station

Thanks for this, pre65. I was in that area a while ago, stayed in Lincoln and went by train to Grimsby. Looked out the window at Barnetby but didn't see anything or get off the train there. Looks as if I'll have to get up there again and actually spend some time off the train. Then I could try the chip shop too!

[bramleyman]

I can't remember the last time I even saw a coal train, but Do remember getting woken by them back in the 1950's, as a child back in Laindon where I lived.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by bramleyman

I can't remember the last time I even saw a coal train,

Is there any coal traffic apart from power station deliveries ?

[D.O.G.F.A.N.]

Spotted a ballast train today at Winwick waiting for 45699.
Shown in the Gallery.Great weather!!!
Stuart.

[Bevan Price]

There are still coal trains to Fiddlers Ferry & Rugeley power stations (amongst other locations) Suggest check Real Time Trains, or subscribe to Freightmaster for info. about times, routes, days of operation, etc.

[ianrail]

Thanks for all your replies. I've just come back from a trip up to Lincolnshire, based in Immingham with an enjoyable couple of hours also spent at Barnetby. Successful trip, with quite a varied lot of freight trains seen. In fact freight outnumbers passenger workings, with oil tankers, yes coal trains and the Drax biomass trains. Barnetby re-signalling appears to be just about nearing completion. I was so pleased to be able to photograph their superb gantries of semaphores. I'd be very surprised if they are not gone early next year.

[rick ward]

Colton Jct 5miles south of York still has a few but declining

[vacuumbrake]

Originally Posted by pre65

Is there any coal traffic apart from power station deliveries ?

Earles sidings cement works (Hope Valley) still has regular coal deliveries