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Revolution and Rails give bio-massive Drax charity boost!

Last week Revolution Trains and Rails travelled to the giant Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to make a donation to Drax’s chosen charity, the Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Left to right: Brice Heppenstall (Drax Plant Director), Mike Hale, Ben Ando (Revolution Trains), Michelle Ford (regional fundraiser, Martin House Hospice), Mark Gibbens (Head of Logistics, Drax Power), Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, John Barbour (Rails of Sheffield), Jane Breach (Drax Power). Photo courtesy Ian Broadhead.

The money was raised through sales of N gauge models of Drax’s IIA-D biomass hoppers produced by Revolution and retailed exclusively by Rails.

A cheque for £2000 was handed over in a small ceremony and the team at Drax also explained the workings of the power station works and why biomass is an integral part of its operations.

Michelle Ford, North and East Yorkshire regional fundraiser for Martin House Children’s Hospice, said: “We very much value our relationship with Drax and appreciate all the support they’ve given us.  This donation will help us continue to provide free care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.  In addition to the funds, we’d like to thank Revolution Trains and Rails of Sheffield for the model wagon pack which will be auctioned to raise even more.

“£2000 will help pay for a specialist bed that will allow a child to have a good night’s sleep when they stay at the hospice – thank you so much from all of us.”

Revolution and Rails would like to thank every customer who has purchased these models and therefore contributed to the donation.

66207 at Drax. Imported biomass arrives from Liverpool, Immingham, Hull and Tyne docks. Photo courtesy Jonathon Lawton.

Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics for Drax Power, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to reduce emissions at Drax, which is the UK’s largest single generator of renewable power, and our fleet of innovative wagons have played a significant part in this.

Drax wagons in original livery line up outside the unloading terminal. The biomass is stored in four giant domes before conveyor belts move it into the power station burners.
This short video shows how the biomass trains are unloaded at Drax, and how the biomass is used. Music: www.bensound.com.

“We think it’s great that the highly detailed Revolution Trains models, in their attractive box-set, give railway modellers a chance to depict these operations on their layouts.”

Drax Power Head of Logistics Mark Gibbens explains the unloading process. The wagon discharge doors are opened automatically by magnetic sensors as they pass through the unloading shed at 0.5 mph.

Ben Ando, co-director of Revolution Trains, said: “As an N gauge enthusiast myself I am thrilled that we have been able to do justice to these impressive and fascinating wagons, and being able to watch the unloading operations was a real privilege. And being able to help Martin House Hospice is the icing on the cake.”

Oliver Davies, Director of Rails of Sheffield, said: “These models have been very popular with N gauge enthusiasts and are selling fast.  Rails believes strongly in supporting the community and we were delighted to be able to join in making a donation to such a good cause.”

Revolution Trains IIA-D wagons in all four versions of new Drax ‘Renewable Pioneers’ liveries.

The Revolution Trains IIA-D Drax biomass hoppers in N gauge are fully licenced and are available in twin packs depicting the original, original ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and new Drax ‘Renewable Pioneers’ versions.   Limited stocks remain at Rails and can be purchased for £79.95 per pair.