Class 66 Cab Ride DB Schenker 66135 Gascoigne Wood Coal Sidings, Selby, to Drax 8D06 British Rail HD

Sometime in 2014 I filmed (with permission) the route from Gascoigne Wood (Selby) coal sidings to Drax power station prior to the resignalling of the route between Knottingley and Drax.

The locomotive is 66135 hauling a consist of 21 MBA box wagons and running as 8D06 (Class 8 train limited to 35mph)

The route takes in Gascoigne Wood Sidings then traverses the Up Milford to Milford Junction. We then continue towards Burton Salmon curve where the route takes us towards (the now closed) Ferrybridge Power Station. From Ferrybridge South Junction we continue up the steep gradient towards Knottingley West Junction and on to the Down Goole line where we pass Knottingley TMD.

After the signal clears at Knottingley Level Crossing, we power up towards Sudforth Lane and pass the now closed and demolished Kellingley Colliary and Sudforth Lane signal box.

Continuing on the Down Goole, we pass Whitley Bridge Junction (where the route diverges towards Eggborough Power Station) and continue past Hensal and pass under the East Coast Main Line at Heck Ings to Drax Branch Junction.

At Drax Branch Junction, we take the route towards Drax Power Station and continue over the River Aire and head in to the mighty complex that is Drax.

Whilst inside Drax, we see the brand new Biomass discharge hopper house on the right as we continue on track 2 towards the Gypsum plant.

The video stops approximately 100 yards prior to the Gypsum loading plant due to the battery expiring in the gopro camera.


This video was filmed due to the historical relevance of the route, the types of trains we see on it and the historical value of the local industry of the pits and power stations.