An unusual occurrence for a Heritage Railway is scheduled for Friday the 22nd December on Preston Docks, in Lancashire. That is the running of both Freight trains by Ribble Rail and Passenger trains by Ribble Steam Railway.
Friday is a normal working day for the running of 6M32 / 6E32 TEA Bitumen train from the Conoco Refinery in Immingham to Preston Dock and return. The rake of TEA’s are then split into two and shunted into the unloading bays in Dawson’s Curve. The empties are stowed in the holding sidings at the Riversway Station around midday.
The Santa Specials which normally run on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December, have been brought forward one day for operating reasons. This will see the running of RSH 0-4-0 ST, Agecroft No 2 at the head of the 4 coach train, with the Hunslet 05 Class 0-6-0 Diesel Mechanical 2595 at the tail.
The Rolls-Royce powered 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic sentinels; Enterprise and Progress managing the Ribble Rail freight operations.
Normally a “One Train in operation” railway, this will result in the “Token” doing some rapid shuttling around the site to enable the hourly Santa Special Passenger timetable to be maintained.
Sentinel 0-4-0 DH Enterprise seen hauling out the empty TEA rake from Dawson’s Curve into No 1 Holding Siding at Preston Riversway Station. Photo: Dave Russell
*ISSUED ON BEHALF OF RIBBLE STEAM RAILWAY ON 13th DECEMBER 2006
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