26 November 2025 Rail Freight Trains Around The UK

Presenter: Stephen Bigley

Our November talk was 'Rail Freight Trains around the UK given by Steve Bigley, a regular speaker at the branch who never disappoints.

Steve gave us a comprehensive account of the modern era of freight transport. This normally means stone and containers, but we were also treated to coal which existed until the last few years.

This was especially interesting to me, since I suspect like many in the audience, I am reasonably familiar with goods trains in the steam/loose coupled 4 wheeler period, but much less so with large Bogie Wagons in use now for both loose bulk - stone etc and Shipping Containers.

This was brought to life by a splendid collection of slides detailing loads used and routes covered. Geographically we began in Hampshire (a surprising modern day freight ‘hotspot’) through South Wales and onward to the West Highlands of Scotland. Finally returning to the South Coast for some local images.

Steve’s ground photography was superbly enhanced by many drone clips, an art he has certainly mastered with distinction. Breath-taking scenery gave the audience many previously unseen vantage points from which to view freight being carried around the country.

Having seen the efficiency with which the railways can move heavy freight over medium and long distances with minimal environmental impact; one wonders why so much is carried by road. However this last observation probably comes as no surprise to much of the audience