TruckandTrackSummer2020

Truck and Track Summer 2020 www.truckandtrack.com 72 RAILFREIGHT GB Railfreight (GBRf) and global building materials supplier CEMEX have unveiled a new service from Dove Holes Quarry, Buxton to Crawley. This was the first train that has been operated by GBRf on the route to Crawley with products being conveyed on cut and shut aggregate hoppers that have been repurposed from coal hoppers. The train ranwith 22wagons and over 1,675 tonnes, exceeding previous deliveries to Crawley by approximately 350 tonnes. This is a further example of GB Railfreight continuing to operate during the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. Once business as usual has resumed, the new service between Dove Holes and Crawley is expected to run once a week. John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf, said “We are delighted to unveil this new route in partnership with CEMEX. We have a longstanding relationship and the new service, which is expected to run once a week once operations are back to normal is testament to the successful partnership we have forged. “We are also absolutely committed to keeping Britain on track during the challenging times. GBRailfreight does not shy away from thesemoments and we are delighted to be doing our bit to keep the economy moving during the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to running more services in the coming weeks and months.” David Hart, CEMEX UK’s Supply Chain Director, added: “Our rail networkisanimportantwayforustotransportourmaterialsaround the country to where they are needed. The addition of this new route allows us to better serve our customers, while the increased capacity offers further sustainability benefits by taking trucks off the road and reducing congestion. We are pleased to partner with GBRf on this new service as they share our commitment to a safe and reliable operation.” GB Railfreight & CEMEX unveil new service fromDove Holes to Crawley Network Rail has opened a new £14million depot in Doncaster which will bring highly skilled teams across the borough together. It will also help to boost the economy in the town which is famous for its railway history. Work began to expand and transform the site at Marshgate, which is close to Doncaster station, in 2015. Almost 600 workers will be based at the multi-million-pound facility, which means teams can work more collaboratively on projects to maintain and improve the railway. The development will bring the opportunity for future jobs at Network Rail. It is also more inclusive for everyone, with gender neutral facilities such as toilets and changing rooms, and liftswhich mean the buildings are accessible. Network Rail engineers have carried out work to demolish the older buildings on the site and build new, modern facilities. There are also new access roads, footpaths and car parks. Work was completed in July 2019, in partnership with Doncaster Council and Sheffield City Region, to strengthen and heighten Friarsgate Road bridge as part of the project. This means that larger vehicles can use the bridge to get in and out of the depot. Work on the main building is now complete, but the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted some of the final stages of the project and landscaping work will continue as teams begin to use the facility. Risk assessments have been carried out to make sure workers can continue following social distancing guidelines, with some smaller buildings, which were due to be demolished, remaining to create additional space. Speaking as he opened the facility, named Mallard House after the famous steam locomotive, Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail said: “As an industry, we have a lot to do as we support people returning to the railway after Covid. But we have a fantastic history in Doncaster as one of the archetypal railway towns and we have a fantastic history in the name of Mallard. “I genuinely believe that with the quality of the peoplewe have here and these new facilities to support them, we have a fantastic future as well.” RobMcIntosh,ManagingDirector forNetworkRail’s EasternRegion, said: “It was important for us to develop this modern £14million depot in Doncaster to celebrate the strong railway history in the town. “Doncaster is alreadyhome to the Flying Scotsmanand theNational College for High Speed Rail, and this state-of-the-art facility at Marshgate will enhance both the vital work that our teams are doing in the area and the future of the railway. “It will bring workers from depots across the area together, so that they can work collaboratively to maintain and improve the railway in the region.” Network Rail opens £14million facility in Doncaster following major expansion project TAILOR MADE VEHICLE & TRAILER SOLUTIONS 01543 420 121 www.deker.co.uk