Friday 5th July 2024 saw major rail freight operator Freightliner deliver the first trial load of containerised feedstock from Manchester to Enfinium’s Multifuel power station. Having had the foresight to install a dedicated rail terminal when the power station was being built during 2013-2015, this first train represents an important stage of Enfinium’s overall plan for using rail.
Having worked with Enfinium during 2022 to look at rail options for inbound feedstock and outbound carbon capture and storage, and latterly with developers Mountpark to help secure planning consent for redevelopment of the adjacent former coal yard (retaining the rail facilities), we received the call from Freightliner (another long-standing client) at the end of April regarding the prospect of a trial being undertaken in July, around 2 months ahead.
From our involvement in the site in recent years, we realised the work that would be needed in advance to ensure the train could be operated through the SSE rail sidings at Ferrybridge, before setting back into the Enfinium sidings, which had yet to receive any rail services since construction several years previously.
Working with SSE and their managing agents JLL, we organised a site visit in May to assess the condition of track and signalling, proposed a plan and were instructed in June to work alongside the existing rail maintenance contractor MLP Rail, drafting in specialist signalling resource from colleagues at 9th Wave Consulting and contractors OSL as required. Discussions with Freightliner, Network Rail and Enfinium ensured all parties were kept informed as required.
A 2-week programme of works on site brought all the relevant on-site track and signalling assets up to full working order, Freightliner bringing a locomotive into site in advance of the trial service as part of the testing regime. With everything in place, the trial train arrived on the Friday evening and departed on the Monday morning as planned, with feedstock containers unloaded at the railhead to test the delivery of material to the power station.
Dr. Jane Atkinson CBE, Chief Operating Officer at enfinium, said: “I am delighted that this trial has connected Ferrybridge to the UK’s rail network for the first time. I am grateful for the support of SUEZ and Freightliner in enabling us to achieve this step. It has opened up a range of opportunities for the business to help local authorities around the UK divert their unrecyclable waste away from climate damaging landfill.”
Ed Wilson, Commercial Director at Freightliner, said: “Freightliner’s ability to build strong, long-standing relationships with our customers allows us to deliver reliable and safe services. This trial showcases the importance of the development of rail across the UK and beyond in order to support and help achieve key sustainability targets, remove traffic from our busy road network and to support moving more volume by rail.”
Intermodality is delighted to have been involved in helping achieve a successful outcome in a relatively short timescale, and look forward to further developments by Enfinium, Freightliner and Mountpark at Ferrybridge in the months ahead.
Intermodality - transport consultants 