The first loaded freight service from Stanton Gate since 2009 has been ran by GB Railfreight (GBRf), following a period of testing on the old route.
GBRf reacted to a late notice demand from a logistics firm and transported in excess of 1,400 tonnes of fragmented steel to Immingham Dock.
Previous trials had been run at the Stanton Gate site to prove the ability to transport bulks services, after significant infrastructure work was carried out on the site following its recent acquisition.
Plans are in place to turn the former steel works at Stanton Gate into a major national distribution, logistics and rail freight hub for the Midlands.
Set to be called New Stanton Park, it is one of the largest potential development sites earmarked in the East Midlands.
The service, and the speed at which GBRf was able to turn around a service after the request from its commercial partner, demonstrates the organisation’s reliability and resiliency, according to the UK rail freight operator.
Carl Kent, Head of Sales at GB Railfreight, said: “The acquisition of such a large site [at Stanton Gate] will help breathe new life into the local area and we hope further opportunities for sustainable freight by rail.
“The commitment shown to developing new rail freight has been impressive and we have worked with [our partners] to promptly respond to their demand.
“If all parties involved are committed and work collaboratively, there is no reason at all that new to rail freight activity from dormant freight estate need take many months or years to deliver.”
