GB Railfreight has started operating freight trains from Horton Quarry in Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire, reactivating a rail connection that had not been used since 1965. The quarry, owned by Heidelberg Materials UK, has been producing limestone and gritstone for road and runway surfaces since 1889.
New rail terminal in testing phase
A new rail terminal has been constructed within Horton Quarry. The site is currently in a two-week trial period to verify operational readiness. Once the testing is completed, the railway service is expected to handle regular freight movements, supplying construction materials to various projects in the Northwest.
Freight movements and road traffic impact
Each freight train operated by GB Railfreight is planned to transport approximately 1,650 tonnes of limestone. According to the company’s data, a fully loaded train can replace the equivalent of up to 129 lorry trips. The reactivation of the rail link offers an option to transfer some aggregate transport from road to rail.
Industry collaboration
The reestablishment of the rail service at Horton Quarry involves cooperation between GB Railfreight and Heidelberg Materials UK. The reopening of this connection forms part of Heidelberg Materials’ internal logistics plans to increase rail-served sites and support material supply to large construction projects across the region.
