Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd (FHH) has begun operating coal trains from Hatfield Colliery in Stainforth. The colliery has recently reopened and resumed mining, and on 24 July 2007 the first train carried coal to Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire.

This traffic is part of a new long-term deal between FHH and E.ON UK to move significant volumes of coal to Ratcliffe and Ironbridge power stations, the first rail haulage contract between E.ON UK and FHH. To support this and other recent contract renewals within the Coal sector, FHH have ordered a further 110 HXA Coal Hoppers due for delivery this autumn, and another 5 low emission Class 66 locomotives. This represents an investment of nearly £17 million in the coal industry and will take FHH’s fleet of coal wagons to over 650 hoppers.

First opened in 1910, Hatfield Colliery has struggled to remain open in recent years and ceased production in 2004 for what most thought would be for the final time. However Powerfuel PLC led by the former head of RJB Mining, Richard Budge embarked on a project to re-open the mine. Full refurbishment of the mine is backed by Russian mining giant Kuzbassrazrezugal (KRU), and plans are that by 2008 when production is at full capacity Hatfield could be producing around 2m tonnes per year and requiring up to 6 trains a day.

Martin Wilks, Director Coal and Deputy MD, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd commented;“These are exciting developments for FHH, we are pleased to have entered into a significant new contract with E.ON UK that includes the transportation of coal from the recently reopened Hatfield Colliery. This new deal, along with our other recent contract renewals, is due to our proven record of service performance and our ability to give bespoke solutions to our customers through commitment and flexibility. Our recent orders for additional resources, demonstrates a massive and continuing investment into the haulage of coal for the electricity supply industry.”