This book illustrates the changing face of rail freight in North West
England over 40 years. During that time the traction and wagon fleets
have been almost completely replaced, freight trains have become heavier
and less frequent, the amount of shunting and trip working has been
dramatically reduced, and most small freight terminals have closed.
Perhaps the most striking loss has been freight from the oil and
chemicals complex around Ellesmere Port and Stanlow and the former ICI
complex around Northwich has lost almost all its rail traffic. On the
Cumbrian coast, just nuclear traffic remains after the loss of coal,
steel and chemicals traffic. However, not all the change has been
negative: we now have biomass on rail, increased intermodal traffic and
significant growth in stone traffic from the Buxton area.
Illustrated with over 150 stunning photographs, many of which are
previously unpublished, this volume looks at the evolution of rail
freight in specific localities, detailing the changes in traction,
rolling stock and railway infrastructure over four decades.