66602 & 66603 Haul Britain's Giant HOBC Train at Bamfurlong | 14th June 2026

Heavy Haul Branded 66602 & 66603 work extra hard heading south along the west coast main line and through a overgrown Visor Woods at Bamfurlong south of Wigan on the morning of Sunday 14th June 2026.

The 66s were hauling What's known to be Britain's longest freight engineering train which is The Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner from Oxenholme to Crewe running very early but as booked via the slow lines. Almost 50 wagons or cranes and machines on show here which is remarkable.

The Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) train is an massive, specialized engineering train used for rapid, overnight track maintenance in the UK. Often hauled by pairs of Freightliner Class 66 locomotives, these trains clean or replace track ballast, renew sleepers, and improve track geometry, covering up to a mile of track per night with minimal disruption.

Key Details About the HOBC Train:
Function: The train utilizes a Ballast Cleaning System (BCS) to remove, clean, and replace track ballast, as well as Track Renewal Systems (TRS) for replacing rails and sleepers.
Size: It is one of Britain's longest freight trains, frequently consisting of 40+ ballast wagons and specialized equipment, weighing roughly 2600 tonnes.
Operation: Often referred to as "top and tailed" with locomotives at both ends for easy reversing, they work on, for example, the Great Western Mainline, out of locations like Taunton (Fairwater Yard).
Purpose: The high-output system allows for efficient maintenance, ensuring that track can be returned to use for high-speed services after maintenance.
Components: The train consists of specialized machinery, including ballast cleaners, conveyors, and spoil wagons, often managed by Network Rail.
The HOBC is crucial for renewing track without requiring long, disruptive daytime closures.

Article on the subject

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/looking-after-the-railway/our-fleet-machines-and-vehicles/high-output/#:~:text=This%20means%20less%20disruption%20to%20train%20services.,operations%20bases%20*%20Network%20Rail%20owned%20machines

While the HOBC is arguably the longest, other heavy freight services exist. In 2021, Network Rail highlighted a "Jumbo" aggregate service hauling 3,600 tonnes from the Peak District to London, noteable for its high tonnage. However, in terms of sheer length, the HOBC holds the title for the longest engineering train

Another example of this train from Bamfurlong
https://youtu.be/BIjV1kFtJWg

The official working today 66602 & 66603
6Y15 0940 Oxenholme Lake District to Gresty Lane Down Sidings

Passed 1057
Running 66 early

Despite running early and with a clear line ahead she used the slows as booked annoyingly
Longest freight train in Britain HOBC

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Filmed at Bamfurlong
Filmed Sunday 14th June 2026

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