Garston car traffic

In recent years we have seen the number of shunter duties decline significantly. There are a number of reasons for this. A lot of freight flows have disappeared, meaning yards and terminals were closed eliminating the need for a shunter. Cost cutting and 'more efficient' ways of operating have seen dedicated pilots vanish, and main line locomotives perform the shunting. 

So, how refreshing then that in 2014 GB Railfreight introduce a new turn. Winning the Ford car traffic between Garston (South Liverpool) and Dagenham from rivals DB Schenker, an 08 was swiftly hired from HN Rail. 08924, a shunter with Liverpool connections in the past, was painted into HN Rail orange at Barrow Hill and moved over to Garston. So why the need for a diesel shunter? Well the answer is actually quite simple. The sidings at the Ford complex are not electrified, and the flow is assigned to a Class 92 electric. The 08 shunts the stock in and out of the yard and on to a stretch of electrified track.

Besides providing work for the shunter, this flow also is a welcome boost to the under worked Class 92 fleet. The most expensive and technologically advanced electric locomotive introduced by BR.