Arcow Quarry Limestone Train - Full Working

[@henrymichaelwilson8107]

Hello there. There's just no other railway like the S&C 72 miles of splendor. We love it. Thank you for showing us this lovely railway.

[@vishengro]

Many thanks to Northumberland snapper for posting this interesting video showing the manoeuvres required to load up the gravel wagons. Also what a beautiful setting!

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

You're very welcome. It was a nice day out for me.

[@trebornewo3354]

Great video. One small correction: Gritstone, not limestone. Also, just to the right of the train engine cab - looks like the old drop ball that was used to break up the rock (used by old faithful, John Wildman, when i used to work there and before he retired).

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Thanks for commenting Trebor. There is a second version of this video uploaded with the corrected title.

[@trebornewo3354]

@@NorthumberlandSnapper Ahh, sorry. Only just found your channel and i'm working through your videos. Hadn't got that far.....yet. Thanks for the pointer.

[@richardchadwick4028]

Good to see freight trains using this great railway line ..

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

It definitely is - love seeing the log train in particular.

[@Vonzack]

Fantastic video, must have had you teeth on edge all that flange squeal ;-)

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Many thanks Mark, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I quite like the sound of squealing shed wheels and engines.

[@henrymichaelwilson8107]

Those loading shovels are big and impressive. There's one of those at the Cement works near us at Clitheroe. The Cement go's out by Rail there.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Yes, a lot of those trains head towards Carlisle on the S&C. Thanks for dropping by.

[@johnlaw3323]

Great video I always wondered how they loaded the train and the sequencing of the trucks. Many thanks for filming and sharing.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Glad you liked it John. Thanks for your comment.

[@moshihus]

Excellent video......!!

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Glad you like.

[@atlanticcoastexpress]

Many thanks…an excellent video with some great camera work and well-chosen viewpoints! I’ve often wondered how they managed to load the trains at Arcow (is it pronounced Ar-cow or Ar-cov?) Quarry with only the three roads available. Obviously a lot of shunting and …to be honest…I was also surprised at how laborious the loading process is at the quarry. However, to be fair to the operators it’s still a relatively recent rail-served quarry and I suppose a more efficient loading system (conveyor belt and discharge hoppers?) will be provided eventually. I was also surprised to see the GB Railfreight pick-up truck but then realised the shunter probably comes by road and perhaps drives off to Blea Moor to meet up with the train to assist in the loco changing ends? Altogether an interesting 56 minutes and all the time I was watching it, I was thinking about the various ways we can help stop the criminal damage done by the spray-can vandals. I’ve noticed that they even trespass into line-side 750V d.c. and 25kV substation high voltage compounds to spray on the sides of working switchgear now! Thanks again and I have subscribed. Best wishes, Rob.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Many thanks for your comments Rob. The GBRf pick up is always there whenever they are loading. The second driver arrived by car, which was driven away by the first. I'm not sure what the shunter does, but I don't think they do go to Blea Moor - I've certainly never seen them there, even when GBRf stone trains have been occupying the sidings. As for the trespass and vandalism, I agree it's a worry. That said, I do think the graffiti is an interesting focal point from a photographic point of view.

[@markneilson6380]

Thanks for sharing this video! The material is gritstone or siltstone a type of sandstone used for road surfacing.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Thanks for the heads up and apologies about my rudimentary geology. I am editing a corrected version, which I'll reupload.

[@AJ-yw5zy]

Great video, had its work cut out joining the man line.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

A 66 has a fair bit of grunt, so it got there in the end. Thanks for dropping by.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

An amazing and informative view of operations, together with the sheer torque and pulling power of a Class 66 locomotive. What weight do those 21 wagons add up to when laden?

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

These trains are pathed at 2400 tons. Each HYA wagon has a maximum loaded weight of 102 tons. Thanks for your comment Mike and I'm glad you found the video informative.

[@batman51]

A tribute to your perseverance

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

I think that's a compliment?! Hope you enjoyed it.

[@AllenORourke1954]

That's one powerful locomotive, I wonder what it's chances would have been with the nine bogie hopper iron ore trains up the steep slopes to Consett; without a banker... Sadly we'll never know...