Freight on HS1

Enshrined within the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) Bill of 1996 was the provision of freight loops at Singlewell (Gravesend) and Charing Heath. It was emphasised at the time that the CTRL was as much a freight-carrying railway as it was a passenger line, and the infrastructure should reflect this. The loops would allow freight trains to take refuge, allowing the faster continental passenger services to overtake, and were devised at a time when forecasts for Chunnel freight were buoyant.

In spite of the first section of the CTRL opening between Southfleet and Cheriton in September 2003, followed by the remainder between the former and St Pancras in November 2007, Chunnel freight has been confined to standard "classic" lines. This has mainly been in light of this traffic being far below original expectations, meaning such trains can easily be accommodated on existing routes.

The concept of freight trains on what is today called "High Speed 1" (HS1) was revisited in May 2011. On 27th of that month, in the early hours, the first revenue-earning freight train operated on HS1, this being a container working running from Hams Hall, Birmingham, to Novara, Italy. This began its journey on HS1 at Ripple Lane, Dagenham, where a connection is afforded with the Tilbury loop line. Class 92 No. 92009, freshly painted into bright red "DB" livery, was at the helm. However, the locomotive double-headed the journey with Class 66 No. 66152. This was because the connection at Ripple Lane between HS1 and the Tilbury loop line was not equipped with overhead wires and, as a result, diesel power was required to overcome the electrification gap. Four more such test runs on HS1 were planned to take place between then and the end of June 2011.

18th June 2006

Rather than going to the expense of repainting every locomotive, and as a quick fix, several members of the EWS fleet received body-side vinyls with their owner's logo. Three Class 92s are in evidence at Dollands Moor, wearing this livery variation. On the left is No. 92011 "Handel", whilst on the right is No. 92037 "Sullivan". © David Glasspool

22nd June 2007

Both Sandling and Westenhanger stations were once deep in rural territory, but the landscape changed dramatically on the advent of the double-track CTRL "Section One". In the above picture, No. 92024 "J.S. Bach" is seen passing the "down" platform at Westenhanger, having then recently left the yard at Dollands Moor. © David Glasspool

15th July 2008

A Class 92 is seen stabled in the freight loop at Otford Junction, fronting the 6B28 Dollands Moor to Wembley china clay tanks. The freight loop here was one of three which were approved by Parliament in 1990, the others being at Headcorn and Borough Green. They allow freights to clear the main running lines to allow faster passenger services to overtake. © Edward Clarkson

16th July 2008

No. 92042 "Honegger" is seen approaching Bromley South with the 6B22 Dollands Moor to Wembley working. Wembley was at one time the northern operating limit for the type, due to signalling interference criteria not being met for the West Coast Main Line. © Edward Clarkson

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