The import of diesel-electric locomotives was a new enterprise for the Port of Workington during 2015 to 2017. Eight deliveries were made with the final batch received in July 2017.
The order for the Class 68 & 88 locos was placed by 'Direct Rail Services' of Carlisle. They were built in Valencia by 'Stadler Rail' and exported via the Mediterranean port of Sagunto. They arrived in full livery including number- and name-plates. Once unloaded at the railhead they were taken to Kingmoor Depot, Carlisle.
The deliveries caught the attention of both ship & rail enthusiasts with some photographers travelling hundreds of miles to catch the action.
The shipping contract was carried out by 'Amasus Shipping' using either 'Amasus' or 'Global Seatrade' vessels. All ships were equipped with their own unloading gear except for the first one, DOUWE-S.
A collection of photos is presented below; either ships arriving, departing or at the quayside.
DOUWE-S (Kampen) IMO 9467225, Oct 2015
A shot of the first vessel being loaded at the quayside in Sagunto was kindly supplied by Manuel Hernandez Lafuente. The arrival of the ship at Workington with its cargo of two Class 68 locos occurred at night. Again, only dockside shots were available. The 3,600ton DWT, 95m vessel was built in 2011 and belongs to the 'Amasus' fleet.
EENDRACHT (Urk) IMO 9512783, 15th Nov 2015
The arrival of the second batch of two Class 68 locomotives was photographed Inbound on a grey afternoon. EENDRACHT was making her first visit to Workington. She is a new type of heavy lift vessel built by Hartman Marine, capable of speeds of up to 18 knots as a result of a unique design of hull.
The 3,400ton DWT 'Global Seatrade' vessel was built in 2009.
ATLANTIC (Urk) IMO 9573634, 23rd Mar 2016
A second 'Global Seatrade' vessel also arrived on a disappointingly grey day. She is of the same 'T18 Class' as EENDRACHT. Seen passing the south pier towards the harbour basin where she was turned before reversing into the dock.
EENDRACHT (Urk) IMO 9512783, 5th Apr 2016
Outbound for Velsen, NL after delivering her second batch of locos.
EEMSLIFT NELLI (Delfzijl) IMO 9671462, 1st Mar 2017
The 'Amasus' vessel had arrived in the early hours of 1st March with a cargo of five Class 88 locos; a new design of dual mode electro-diesel built in Valencia by 'Stadler Rail' to Vossloh's 'Euro Dual' specification.
There were photo opportunities the following morning as unloading got underway. The operation proceeded smoothly with the fifth unit, 88004, 'Pandora', out of the hold by early afternoon :-
Later that afternoon, patient photographers were rewarded with some unique shots of the five units leaving the dock. The photo below shows the new units being towed to Carlisle with 88004, 'Pandora' bringing up the rear (courtesy of 'SolwayShipping'),
The counter-weight stabiliser was then lifted aboard and the ship made ready for departure to Denmark. She must have been keen to be on her way as the tide had been ebbing for 2hrs. The 4,200ton DWT self-loader was built in the Netherlands in 2013 & was only recently added to the fleet of 'Amasus Shipping'. Traces of her previous name 'ARCTIC DAWN' were still visible on the bow. The gallery shows her departure as the light begins to fade. Hurrying to be on her way, she passes very close to the north pier requiring a nudge from tug 'DERWENT' to keep on course.
EEMSLIFT HENDRIKA (Delfzijl) IMO 9671486, 22nd May 2017
The self-loader was seen arriving off Workington on the morning tide from Sagunto with a delivery of four Class 68 diesel locomotives. The deck cargo comprised small vessels bound for Poole.
As the vessel approached the south pier the unexpected deck cargo could be identified as yachts, workboats & survey vessels.
The ten boats had to be temporarily unloaded to allow access to the locomotives.
The 4,200ton DWT heavy-lift vessel was built in 2015 and operated by 'AMASUS SHIPPING'.
The gallery shows the ship, accompanied by pilot tug 'DERWENT', passing the south pier and turning in the harbour basin before reversing into the dock.
EEMSLIFT ELLEN (Delfzijl) IMO 9671474, 20th Jul 2017
A late evening arrival from Sagunto with the final batch of three Class 68 diesel locomotives destined for the Direct Rail Services depot at Carlisle. The 4,200ton DWT heavy-lift vessel, built in 2014 as 'INDIAN DAWN', was acquired by the present owner 'AMASUS' in 2016.
With the sun setting & keen to enter port, the vessel approached at maximum speed of over 17knots. She was then piloted towards the harbour basin where she was turned & reversed into the dock. She occupied a temporary berth until the railhead quay was free.