Thursday 15 Dec 2011
FREIGHT TRAINS DIVERTED TO KEEP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BURNING
- Region & Route:
Freight trains from the Buxton area that supply material to power stations to keep them on line as part of the national grid, are being diverted over the Christmas and New Year period while Network Rail carries out vital work in a railway tunnel.
Dove Holes tunnel on the freight-only railway line between Peak Forest and Chinley in Derbyshire is to close for nine days between Christmas Eve and 2 January while Network Rail carries out track and drainage renewal.
The £4.4m project is essential because the line serves a number of quarries in the area that power stations rely on for regular rail deliveries, as they do not have sufficient space to stockpile everything they need.
Chapel-en-le-Frith station is the point where Network Rail staff and contractors will gain access to the railway to carry out the work. It is also where the old track from the tunnel will be taken away and new track and drainage delivered. Network Rail is advising people living in the area that they will see a lot of activity over Christmas and New Year.
The nine-day closure means that the essential freight trains will be diverted via the passenger line between Buxton and Stockport, which normally sees little freight traffic.
As a result of the diversions, up to 24 freight trains a day, with as many as 22 wagons each, will be using the route over the holiday period.
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