New rail record for Dove Holes

DB Schenker Rail UK and CEMEX celebrate breaking record with locomotive naming

DB Schenker Rail UK and CEMEX UK have made history after despatching more than 2 million tonnes of aggregates by rail from Dove Holes Quarry, in Derbyshire, during 2014 – a new record for the quarry and more than a 20% increase on 2013.

The companies celebrated at a special event at the quarry this week when DB Schenker’s 60039 locomotive was officially named Dove Holes.

Les Morris, DB Schenker Rail UK’s head of sales, said the company was proud to name loco 60039 Dove Holes in recognition of the record amount of aggregates moved from the quarry by rail in 2014.

‘We are delighted be working with CEMEX to despatch greater amounts of aggregates than ever before, helping them to achieve their aspirations in the construction market, which is seeing a big resurgence,’ he commented.

‘The environmental benefit is also significant. Two million tonnes of aggregates despatched by rail is equivalent to more than 65,000 HGV movements removed from the UK’s congested road network.’

Aggregates director Neil Farmer, who performed the naming ceremony, said CEMEX UK were delighted to have a locomotive named after their biggest quarry in the country.

‘Moving aggregates by rail has many advantages, both to the communities in which we operate but also on the environment,’ he explained. ‘It enables us to get the material into the heart of towns and cities without adding trucks on to our busy roads. We hope Dove Holes covers many successful rail miles in the future.’

The aggregates despatched from the quarry by rail are currently delivered to 13 destinations across Great Britain.