EWS Industrial has won a new contract to operate rail freight services hauling scrap metal from Inverness to Liverpool for recycling.

EWS Industrial has introduced heavier steel slab freight trains, operating from Port Talbot to Llanwern in South Wales, hauling 33% more product than before.

The trains previously hauled 1,500 tonnes of steel slab, but from March 2007 this increased to 2,000 tonnes per train. This represents an efficient use of both railway and environmental resources as more can be delivered within the existing operation.

The trains have been able to haul 33% more product between Port Talbot and Llanwern thanks to a modification programme by EWS Industrial to convert and strengthen standard BAA steel slab wagons. This work has resulted in the regular 28 wagon service delivering in four train movements what was previously delivered in five trains.

Neil McDonald, EWS Industrial Managing Director, said: “By operating trains with 33% more product than before, we are able to move five trains worth of freight in four trains. This not only delivers more products to our customers in one train, but also represents an excellent use of rail capacity and other scare resources. With road haulage producing five times more CO2 and ten times more harmful emissions than EWS Industrial services, the increase tonnage hauled further strengthens our environmental credentials.”

The first 2,000 tonne train operated with 28 wagons on the morning of Thursday 1 March 2007.