A unique Special Rail Charter commemorating the 50th anniversary of Drax Power Station has successfully raised in excess of £30,000 for Martin House.

This charity offers hospice care to children and young people facing life-limiting conditions throughout West, North, and East Yorkshire.

In collaboration with DB Cargo, GB Railfreight, Freightliner Heavy Haul, and the Branch Line Society, the event featured three distinct passenger train services on the Drax Power Station loop on Saturday, 17th August. The loop within the complex is usually reserved for freight trains carrying biomass to the power station.

Passengers had the chance to board the special service, where each train took a unique route around the power station, and all proceeds from the event were donated to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

“We are proud to partner with all of the main freight operators and the Branch Line Society for this historic charter rail event, to mark the Golden Anniversary of Drax Power Station.

“The weekend’s tours raised much needed funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, a charity that is close to our hearts at Drax. Every year Martin House cares for more than 440 children and their families, as well as around 150 bereaved families, and events such as this allow them to continue their vital work in local communities.”

Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax

“We are absolutely delighted to have once again worked with Drax on this historic event, alongside the Charter Train Team.  We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing, invaluable support, which helps us to make a difference to the lives of so many children, young people and their families, when they need us most.  A huge thank you to everyone who has made this brilliant event possible, it means so much to all of us.”

Michelle Ford, Regional Fundraising Team Manager at Martin House Children’s Hospice

Since Drax Power Station opened in 1974, rail has been integral to the operations across the site. Locomotives that have transported materials to the station over its 50-year history were showcased at the event including the ones that now run on Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

The celebration featured naming ceremonies at York Station and Hensall for two of the class 66 locomotives serving Drax Power Station, which were christened ‘Yorkshire Rose’ and ‘Drax Power Station 50′.