The Nuclear Flask Train at Heysham Power Station

Video created by Northumberland Snapper:
northumberlandsnapper.blogspo...
Please remember to subscribe if you like our videos.
Filmed on 11th April 2022.
After a week off train 6C51, the 1247 Sellafield B.N.F. to Heysham Harbour P.S., was running again today.
Direct Rail Services locomotives 68017 "Hornet" and 68018 "Vigilant" topped-and-tailed the 3 FNA nuclear flask wagons.
Having done a bit of research since my previous visit, I knew that there was a good vantage point on the approach to the power station, so I turned up there around about half an hour before the train turned up.
Within 3 minutes, no exaggeration, I was joined by two police officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Given the location I would have been surprised if they did not approach and enquire about the purpose of my visit. I explained what I was doing and they were very happy for me to continue. They were both very polite and I do not object at all to them doing their job.
Train 6C31 rounded the curve on the final approach to the power station. It drew up at the stop board, to allow the power station staff to close the rather rudimentary looking manual gate crossing. The train then drew forward, passed my position, and came to a halt around 100 yards beyond. Sadly my camera was now pointing towards the sun, so the contrast is not great. I waited a few minutes to get some footage of the crew working alongside the train before leaving.
The plan was to get up to Bare Lane as quickly as I could to catch the return train, 6C52, on its way back to Sellafield. Sadly, it ran well ahead of time and I didn't quite get that far. Better luck next time!
I know it's highly likely that the Hartlepool power station flask train will run tomorrow (14th April), so I'm thinking of heading somewhere on the Cumbrian Coast Line to see it. Of course plans might change before then!
Footage was captured using a Panasonic HC-VX1; amzn.to/3vJnqNJ; fitted with a Rode VideoMic Go; amzn.to/3rpMeIA

[@denishales86]

a great video again get to see more 68 working

[@pn112upfast]

Brilliant, great video 👍

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Pleased you found it worthwhile viewing.

[@stephensmith4480]

Seeing that takes me back a bit. It reminds me of the days when I used to get The Guard`s Brake Van ready when we had the Flask Traffic at Warrington. Always a Roaring Fire going in the Stove during The Winter Months. Happy days.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Where was the Warrington flask traffic destined?

[@stephensmith4480]

@@NorthumberlandSnapper One train used to go to Trawsfynydd power station and the other one, we used to send down to Willesden, not sure where it went from there.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

@@stephensmith4480 Trawsfynydd - thank goodness for Google because I hadn't heard of that one! I've got another flask video scheduled for next Thursday if you're interested - the Seaton-on-Tees nuclear flask train, which runs between Sellafield and Hartlepool Power Station.

[@stephensmith4480]

@@NorthumberlandSnapper Cheers mate 👍. I got involved in a Nuclear Flask incident one very wet and rainy night. There were sparks coming from where the Flask cover, closes. I have never seen so many Fire Engines and Police in my life. It turned out to be nothing, we found out that a Copper bonding rod inside had broken and because the flask was stabled under the overhead wires, it produced this weird arcing. The Fire Brigade finally gave it the all clear with the assistance of some Technical expert. It is something I will never forget.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

​@@stephensmith4480 expert was probably health physics guys to check there was no emissions or a reaction occuring.

[@thirdengineer]

Interesting footage of the 68 at Heysham power station.They have a reputtaion for being noisy machines. l heard on the grape vine the locals have been complaining of the noise on the line from York tp Scarborough and they may be replaced? Thanks for sharing Tom.. Cheers Brian

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Yes, the Scarborough residents don't like them firing up or turning over the locos when they're at the TPE depot up there.

[@cd66061]

Swap em for some good old 37’s! Residents will love that!! They can have some free clag too! 😁 Love that residents complain about the noise, but expect a constant flow of electricity in their property!

[@thirdengineer]

@@cd66061 you have a terrific sense of houmour ha ha

[@pn112upfast]

Railway was there first. Hate these moaners move next to a railway built before they were born then moan!

[@mandrillfoden]

I miss the sound when we stop at the outlaws.😂

[@kennethsewell4245]

Been on that lorry park at night dumping trailer and other up from isle of man

[@gratefulforabundance9043]

I wouldn’t like to be driving the Flask Train, it’s a wonder those guys don’t glow in the dark .

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

I hear the flasks are pretty robust!

[@streetscrambler8075]

Three different people appear to get those gates open and with a lot of paperwork too, looks like a highly efficient operation.

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

There were only two power station staff - the blonde lady and the security guy.

[@streetscrambler8075]

@@NorthumberlandSnapper I must get my eyes 👀 tested 😂

[@sophiemansell2789]

Interesting to see that the old crossing lights are still there

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Aye, it's well past its prime. I don't think they turned the lights on. Don't suppose they even work. given the age and condition of them. This part of the line is outside the Network Rail boundary.

[@cd66061]

I guess that line doesn’t get used much? Noisy and rough looking!

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Owned by EDF I believe. I don't think it would meet NR standards!

[@ThatVoxelBlock]

5:05 class 68 horror mode

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Looking back, I see what you mean!

[@ThatVoxelBlock]

@@NorthumberlandSnapper lol not as bad as a class 66 blowing its horn right next to you in brookwood and ive only seen a nuke train 4 times one in brookwood with no flask or flask car and the other 3 in valley on angalsey from road to rail but they dont go to valley now most of Wylfa Nuclear waste is not dont by road but there might be a EPR reactor soon there but no hopes on that.

[@johnj4860]

Would I be correct in thinking the loco windows are armoured glass in case of attack by climate or other loonies?

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Loco windscreens are always reinforced. I don't think these are anything special, as these locos are often used for other duties too.

[@animal79thecat]

Utter nonsense