Following a test run last week, the PowerHaul locomotive today conveyed a train of 60 imported boxes to Freightliner’s terminal in Birmingham before returning later that night with exports.
With higher haulage and acceleration capabilities, the PowerHaul locos are able to increase payloads per train and retain timing criteria to preserve rail network capacity. Through PowerHaul, Freightliner is uniquely increasing port capacity, increasing network utilisation, reducing CO2 emissions, reducing fuel use and improving reliability.
This facilitates the anticipated growth in number of containers entering the UK’s deep sea ports, and decreases road congestion by removing over 120 lorries from the UK’s roads for each return trip.
Adam Cunliffe, Managing Director, Freightliner Ltd said, “We currently operate 21 daily services from the Port of Felixstowe, and until developments within the port are completed the number of train slots are limited. By utilising our new PowerHaul locomotives we are able to increase the capacity available to our customers whilst improving our carbon footprint.”
The first two PowerHaul locos arrived in the UK on 8th November and were followed by a further four on 2nd December. Freightliner’s bulk freight division – Freightliner Heavy Haul – also completed successful trials in the same week with PowerHaul locomotive 70002, hauling 1300 tonnes of coal from Portbury to Rugely Power Station.
More information about PowerHaul locomotives can be found at:
www.Freightliner.co.uk/PowerHaul or follow www.twitter.com/PowerHaul