Drax marks celebrates 50 years of North Yorkshire plant with golden train

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Drax has marked 50 years of its Selby power station with a uniquely liveried rail wagon which has taken its first trip across the landmark Riddlehead Viaduct.

The golden liveried Class 66 locomotive, operated by GB Railfreight, has been created to mark the golden anniversary of the power plant, which began production in 1974. The train took 25 biomass wagons, including one with a matching golden wrap, on the Settle-Carlisle line, which takes in the Victorian-era viaduct.

Drax also marked the occasion with a series of charter trains to carry passengers around the Drax Power Station rail loop to raise money for charity, an event at which GB Railfreight’s Golden Locomotive 66301 was named Drax Power Station 50 by plant director Bruce Heppenstall and two of the company’s longest serving employees. The day raised more than £30,000 for Martin House, a charity that provides hospice care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses in Yorkshire.

Mark Gibbens, head of logistics at Drax said: “We are delighted to mark the 50th anniversary of Drax Power Station, and its role in keeping the lights on for millions of people in Yorkshire and the UK, through this train journey across the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. Our partnerships with organisations such as GB Railfreight ensure that we can continue to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation objectives and energy security with power from sustainable biomass.”

Rail supply of the Selby plant has been important throughout its 50-year life, first with coal as the fuel and now biomass in the form of compressed wood pellets that are taken from ports across the north of England. Drax now has a fleet of 255 IIA-D rail wagons, made in Mansfield and developed to transport biomass.

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, said: “GB Railfreight has proudly supported Drax and the UK Government to produce low-carbon power for us all; driving jobs, warming homes and creating economic value across the country. To recognise the importance of our relationship with Drax and to celebrate their 50th anniversary, we gave them the perfect gift to mark the occasion – a gold locomotive.”

Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber

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Drax marks celebrates 50 years of North Yorkshire plant with golden train

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