Hope Chopper Change! No3 Trips Coal & Cement - Earles Sidings & Station Freight Action - 19.08.2026

Fancying another go at the Class 20's in use at Hope Cement Works, another trip was had with the hope that another loco would be in use today. That was the case when we arrived, as No3, the ex-20906, was found bringing a set of loaded cement tanks up to the exchange sidings. Wednesday's is also when the coal wagons that arrived on Monday go back empty to Scunthorpe for a fresh load. It wasn't until the light loco from Doncaster had left did they start being bought up ready for it, which was helping to keep No3 busy! A short walk was had to the bridge over the branch to catch it bringing up the first batch of coal hoppers, as well as heading back light for the rest of them. We then head over to Hope station, where a few empty stone trains for the quarries rush through are seen before the coal is captured at the start of its journey back to Scunthorpe.