Half a mile long coal trains to operate from Scotland to Yorkshire

EWS Energy, the dedicated rail freight operator for the electricity supply industry, is planning to operate trains up to half a mile long to allow more coal to be moved by rail in Britain.

Following a summer that saw EWS Energy move 26% more coal by rail compared with the previous year, plans are being developed to enable the operator to meet the continuing rising demand for coal.

EWS Energy is today beginning a programme of work with Network Rail to increase the length of coal services from Ayrshire to Yorkshire from 21 modern wagons to 23 by early 2007. This will be followed by a plan to double train lengths to 46 modern wagons per train. EWS Energy, working with Network Rail and customers, aims to run these significantly longer train services between Ayrshire and Yorkshire by the summer of 2007. The longer trains will operate at 75mph and carry up to 4,000 tonnes of coal.

Longer trains will allow EWS Energy to move two trains worth of coal in one slot in the timetable. This is an efficient means of transporting extra coal for the electricity supply industry and is just one way in which EWS Energy will enhance services for customers.

A similar EWS Energy train already runs daily between Carlisle and York, hauling 42 modern coal wagons which demonstrates the ability of longer trains to operate on the rail network today.

Paul Bates, Managing Director of EWS Energy, said: "EWS Energy is focused on delivering for the electricity supply industry in Britain. Demand for moving coal and other fuels by rail is increasing. Operating significantly longer coal trains delivers increased volumes for our customers and maximises the value of every single freight slot in the timetable. I look forward to the rail industry embracing this new North-American concept of much longer freight trains in Britain."

EWS Energy operates an average of 700 coal trains a week.