Nuclear train?

Leeds Lass · Post by **Leeds Lass** » Fri 02 Mar, 2007 1:53 am

Wasn't sure where to post this really, so I'll put it here! Has anyone else heard the account, that every week, on a certain day, in the early hours, a very long train carrying nuclear waste passes through Leeds on the Bradford line (past the prison)? I have heard this a few times, going back a few years now. I used to know the day and time and believe I actually saw it once, as I was coming round the gyratory. It was definately no ordinary train, or the concrete one that comes through. Wednesdays at 3 or 4am rings a bell, but I'm not 100% sure? Recollections fade the older I get!!!

Post by **dsco** » Mon 05 Mar, 2007 2:49 pm

hi Leeds Lass,going to move this thread to the Transport forum - the train and tram buffs will no doubt have something to contribute on this one!cheers,dsco

Loinerpete · Post by **Loinerpete** » Tue 06 Mar, 2007 5:40 pm

For my sins Leeds Lass, i once had a spell living over the border in bradford. My neighbour told me about the nuclear waste train that passed through shipley in the early hours on certain nights. I think was was some discussion in ther bradford T&A in the 80`s about it, i remember thinking, what if it derails!!!...i betya thats the same train you mentioned.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 07 Mar, 2007 1:07 pm

I seem to recall there was a 'Shock horror' story in the Y.E.P when it first became knowledge these trains were running. It does seem a long time ago tho! Here's the infamous nuclear flask train crash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB32dS6wDNE It doesn't really answer your question Leeds lass but it's certainly entertaining viewing. Albiet the waste of a good class 46 engine.

Leeds Lass · Post by **Leeds Lass** » Thu 08 Mar, 2007 2:05 am

Carol Vorderman gets everywhere!!! Yes Phill, I remember seeing that video somewhere. I think it's quite spooky myself!

Leeds Lass · Post by **Leeds Lass** » Thu 08 Mar, 2007 2:07 am

It probably was Loinerpete, it would be the same line, which passes through Pudsey, then to Bradford and probably Shipley, Keighley.

saabinn · Post by **saabinn** » Fri 09 Mar, 2007 11:33 am

It was certainly not "a very long train" as it only had one or two wagons on. It started running in the 60's and ran until the late 80's or early 90's I think, it was a regular but not frequent train, and would run once or twice a month. It came from the South through Normanton round the Whitehall curve and then North through Shipley. It was once derailed at Holbeck but other than that it always passed without incident. Rail always was and still is the safest and best means of transporting hazardous materials.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 22 Mar, 2007 9:57 pm

The nuclear trains still run although I don't know if they still run through Leeds, and if you know where to look it can be surprisingly easy to find out timings and such (or it was - it might have got a bit harder in the current political climate).If I remember correctly it's low(ish) grade waste going for reprocessing after use at the nuclear power stations.Check any of the many railway forums on the 'net and you'll be able to find out more. (uk.railway is probably a good place to start)As has been said it's probably the safest way to move it. It's certainly a damn sight safer than filling a dozen trucks with the stuff!