First train rolls on to new line

The Class 66 locomotive pulls into Telford railfreight terminal

The first train rolled into the new £9 million Telford International Railfreight Terminal today.

The locomotive was brought in via the connection to the national rail network at Wellington and was designed to test the facility, tracks and points prior to the terminal becoming fully operational in May.

The train was due to arrive at 11.38am, but was delayed due to hold-ups at Wellington and arrived just before noon.

Councillors and engineers were at Telford International Railfreight Park to witness the train arriving at the terminal – the first since the branch line was removed in 1993.

Councillor Andrew Eade, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: "There's huge excitement about it. There was a gap in the finance to put this together but we decided to knuckle down as we thought it was a great investment for the future of Telford.

"It's a statement of faith in the future of Telford and Wrekin and the West Midlands, for jobs and prosperity." Ken Russell, development director at John G Russell, terminal operator, said: "I'm delighted and very pleased that we've got to this stage.

"It's a test proving that everything is working as it should be. Hopefully we're going to have business coming through in the next couple of months.

"It should all officially be open the first week in May, but possibly things could start earlier than that."

The test train, provided by Direct Rail Services Ltd consisted of a Class 66 locomotive and a container wagon.