Railway Herald
A little-known fact about the Ribble Steam Railway is that it is the only preserved line in the UK to operate regular revenue-earning freight trains.
This now very modern setup (soon to be made even more modern by the replacement of the life-expired tanker wagons) sees a Class 60 or 66 haul a train of up to 15 wagons over the steeply-graded Copy Pit line to preston, then down the much steeper line leading from Preston station approaches under Fishergate Hill and Hartington Road before emerging at Strand Road crossing, usually at around 8 in the morning. Disruption to traffic on this exceedingly busy road is minimal; by the time the train arrives at the bottom of the grade from Preston, Ribble Rail staff have already unlocked the two gates that prevent unauthorised access to the line either side of Strand Road. In under a minute the barriers have lowered, the train has crossed the road and the barriers are up again and cars are on the move once more.
PHOTO - ANDREW FOWLER
Ribblesteam
