IT'S now full steam ahead for plans to transport Welsh timber by train as a service returns permanently to the rails for the first in 25 years. 

Around 700 tonnes of timber will be moved from Aberystwyth to Chirk each week following a successful trial of the route in April. 

Operated by Colas Rail with the support of Network Rail, the timber will be delivered to the Kronospan manufacturing plant, where it will be made into products such as wood panelling for furniture and flooring. 

@forestryjournal Timber is back on track in Wales 😍🪵#forestrylife #trains #wales #forestry #JohnDeere #ponsse #komatsu ♬ original sound - Forestry Journal

Transporting this much timber by rail is estimated to remove upwards of 16 lorries from the roads, helping to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion. Colas claims a quarter of a tonne of carbon dioxide will be saved by using the railway for this purpose, which equates to 30,411 charges of your smartphone or the carbon emissions per passenger taking a one-way flight from Amsterdam to Rome.

Speaking at the time of the trial, Jess Lippett, Network Rail senior route freight manager, said: “Rail freight is a vital part of our infrastructure, providing a fast, green, safe and efficient way of transporting goods.

Forestry Journal:

“This trial run shows how we can work together to have a positive impact on the environment and the economy, with the potential to remove hundreds of lorries from rural roads while supporting local businesses.”