R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

43
Freight-only routes MIDLANDS ZONE
EWS; Freightliner.
Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION This geographically dispersed group of routes conveys freight
trains only. Within the Midlands Zone there are two distinct categories of lines:
main arterial routes and branch lines. The main arterial routes include Sutton Park
Line, Kettering–Manton Junction, Sheet Stores–Stenson Junction, St Andrews
Route vision
Our vision for these routes is to encourage and cater for growth in all freight
markets which, we see as expanding, not only in terms of volume but also in axle
weights, train lengths and vehicle profiles to a maximum of W10. There will be
opportunities to expand the current volume of freight throughout the network,
arising from a concerted effort to search for new freight sites. A reduction in the
operating base cost of these routes, providing the optimal performance income
through improved asset reliability (and the introduction of new low-cost
Route development and customer requirements
We will continue to work with industry partners to secure and encourage freight
growth utilising both existing facilities and potential freight locations. We are
working with developers to investigate the opportunities for new intermodal
depots at a number of locations within the East and West Midlands as well as in
London.
Market demand has suggested that there is potential for new traffic on the
branch lines from Kingswinford–Pensnett and Stoke–Caldon Low. We are
working to examine the options for reopening both routes.
These are the route improvements we plan to deliver
Junction–Lawley Street and Knighton Junction–Leicester Burton Junction.
Linespeeds are predominantly 40–75mph. These routes further supplemented by
numerous facilities, both on branch lines and at private sidings, are predominantly
single track with a linespeed ranging between 30mph and 60mph.
CAPACITY CHANGES TO MEET FRANCHISING DIRECTOR, PTE AND CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVER ROUTE VISION
LOCATION PROPOSEDSOLUTION YEAR REF
Midlands Zone – Freight-only routes None required
CAPABILITY CHANGES TO ACHIEVE ROUTE VISION
LINESPEEDS (km of track) km STOPS CURRENT POSITION 2001 POSITION SUSTAINING THE ROUTE ACHIEVING ROUTE VISION
Up to 35mph 24 24 24 24
40–75mph 181 181 181 181
80–105mph 0 0 0 0
110–125mph 0 0 0 0
Over 125mph 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 205 205 205 205
GAUGE (km of route)
W6A 199 199 199 199
W7 68 68 68 68
W8 42 42 42 42
W9 21 21 21 21
W10 0 0 0 15
AXLE WEIGHT (km of track)
technology), and securing cost savings through improved maintenance regimes is
essential. So, too, is the encouragement of market growth with the provision of
highly reliable and performing services, seeking the continual improvement of
performance to ensure delivery of the established timetable.
We are also evaluating electrification of the Water Orton–Walsall Line as
part of an improved access to West Midlands from WCML.
The mothballed Claydon–Bletchley and Round Oak–Bescot routes are being
safeguarded for possible future reopening in conjunction with the East–West Rail
Link and Midland Metro, respectively, or for future traffic growth.
We look forward to working with train and freight operators, the public,
local authorities, the Franchising Director, the Rail Regulator and central
government to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.
Up to 20.3 tonnes 0 0 0 0
20.4 tonnes to 23.4 tonnes 0 0 0 0
23.5 tonnes to 25.4 tonnes 205 205 205 205
TOTAL 205 205 205 205
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