17.10.13 - 66082 Hunterston - Ferrybridge, Newbiggin

Freight volumes on the S&C are at a very low ebb right now and this must be somewhat troubling for those with an interest in the line's long term future. I've certainly not known a period with as little freight since I arrived in Cumbria in 2005. This was one of only 3 southbound daylight workings today. The others being the afternoon coal and the RHTT both of which I managed to get shots of. Things started well today with 66082 working south through Newbiggin with an on time Hunterston - Ferrybridge working. If it wasn't for the huge volumes of imported coal, we'd just have the cement, occasional gypsum traffic and the short lived RHTT workings.