GB Railfreight has operated the first test locomotive on a new freight line to be used by Crossrail to transfer millions of tonnes of excavated material from London to Northfleet, Kent.

Lafarge have reinstated a disused rail freight link from the North Kent Main Line into their Northfleet site. The length of the new freight line is around 2.25km with 4.75km of new track provided.

Trains will be operated by GB Railfreight, with the first freight train carrying excavated material due to operate in summer 2012.

Excavated material generated from tunnelling operations for the western tunnels (Royal Oak to Farringdon) will exit at the Royal Oak Portal and be transported by freight train to Northfleet. From Northfleet, the material will be transferred by ship to regeneration sites, including a new RSPB nature reserve at Wallasea Island, Essex. Up to five freight trains will operate from Westbourne Park on Mondays to Saturdays with up to four trains on Sundays.

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Andy Mitchell, Crossrail Programme Director said: "The reinstated Northfleet rail link has been successfully commissioned with the operation of the first test locomotive by GB Railfreight. This new rail link will help us minimise lorry use in central London, as well as ensuring the efficient transfer of excavated material to sites where it can be best used for environmental improvement."

John Smith, Managing Director, GB Railfreight said: "I am very pleased that the first test locomotive has run successfully on the reinstated Northfleet rail link. This is an important project for GBRf and our involvement demonstrates yet again that we have both the capability and resources to work on major projects and deliver an exceptional quality service."

Tunnelling for Crossrail will produce in the region of 6 million tonnes of material which will be excavated from constructing the 21km of twin-bore tunnel. Close to 100% of the excavated material is expected to be clean, uncontaminated and reusable elsewhere.

(CD/GK)