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Rainhill (Liverpool & Manchester Line) - (updated 28 October 07 )

Ditton Junction (LNWR London & Low Level Lines) - (updated 28 October 07)

Helsby (Warrington WOJn - Chester) - (updated 01 October 07)

Northwich (Mickle Trafford - Skelton Junction) - (updated 01 October 07)

If not all, certainly most of you will be aware of the popular 'FREIGHTMASTER' guide books which cover numerous "hotspots" around the UK. Within the FM guide it covers Warrington, Chester, Wrexham & Penmaenmawr which are part of the "8A RAIL" area therefore you are able to find the numerous freights that travel to & from Merseyside amongst these locations. However, they do not list every freight, therefore with FM's full knowledge, "8A RAIL" has added four "hotspots" within the area which should catch the remaining freight trains.

This section therefore covers 4 "hotspots", Rainhill, Ditton Junction, Helsby, and Northwich which are located in the area covered by "8A RAIL". In theory, will attempt to list all the known freights that pass the above locations between the hours of 07.00 and 22.00hrs, 7 days a week only. Unfortunately, freights that generally operate outside these hours will NOT be listed. The "hotspots" will only be updated as and when new information becomes available.

Please note, this is a guide only and trains are not guaranteed to operate on days or route stated and also subject to alteration or cancellation on the day, and therefore "8A RAIL" cannot be held responsible for the information supplied as it is provided in good faith. However, if you have got updated information, please contact "8A RAIL" as soon as possible.

Finally, it goes without saying, if you want to keep upto date with the UK current freight scene, it is highly recommended that you subscribe to 'FREIGHTMASTER' Books or OnLine (or both) which is excellent value for money. For further information, see the "FREIGHTMASTER" website - www.freightmaster.uk.com.   

RAINHILL (07.00hrs until 22.00hrs only): This "hotspot" is midway between Edge Hill and Earlestown on the Liverpool & Manchester line. Freights that use this section of line generally speaking travel to and from Liverpool Docks via Edge Hill (Tuebrook Sidings).  These include MGR, Steel, Scrap, and Intermodal trains. Unfortunately, majority of the "Scrap" trains do tend to arrive & depart overnight therefore not listed in the table. NB Headcodes in  Red bold refer to known trains operating at this current time but are subject to alteration or cancellation.

DITTON JUNCTION (07.00hrs until 22.00hrs only): This "hotspot" is the junction of the Low Level line from Warrington Arpley with LNWR Liverpool - London Line. You will find a variety of workings at this location including Freightliners to & from Garston FTL, Seaforth CT & Ditton, Ford / Jaguar Automobile, MGR's, Intermodal and Scrap trains. For convenience the EWS trains to & from Folly Lane, Runcorn are also listed although they do not pass Ditton Junction.  NB Headcodes in bold refer to known trains operating at this current time but are subject to alteration or cancelation.

HELSBY (07.00hrs until 22.00hrs only) This location catches the few freight turns that operate including the FLHH coal trains to Ellesmere Port. For convenience the four ATW loco hauled passenger trains have also been included which are due to commence  - 3/12/07?

NORTHWICH  (07.00hrs until 22.00hrs only): The fourth location of the "Hopspot" list covers trains that operate between Chester (Mickle Trafford) and Skelton Junction. Although Northwich is well known for the  "Tunstead", there are a couple of other freights that hit the area. Also included is the "Enterprise" service that travels on the Middlewich line although they don't pass through Northwich. Headcodes in bold refer to known trains operating at this current time but are subject to alteration or cancellation.

Other known "local" freight turns (not passing through the above hotspots)

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