A Direct Rail Services test train has run from Wellington, on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury line, into the Telford International Railfreight Park – before the newly relaid line becomes fully operational in May.

The first train into the terminal since the branch line was removed in 1993 consisted of a Class 66 loco hauling a container wagon.

Successful testing of the track and pointwork was attended by people from newly signed-up terminal operator John G Russell (Transport) Ltd, a logistics supplier.

The company’s development director Ken Russell said: “Telford is seen as a strategic location in a network of terminals we are developing, which extends from Inverness in the North to Barking, east London, in the South.

“It means we can offer cost effective and professional logistics solutions from Telford to destinations within the UK and internationally.”

The test train negotiated successfully all the sidings and the spur to the 18.8-acre development site being jointly marketed by Telford and Wrekin Council and agents Atisreal.

It is part of an area totalling 24 acres within the Railfreight Park, earmarked for creation of major warehousing and storage facilities that are expected to create jobs in the area.

The purpose-built multi-million pound terminal is capable of handling intermodal containers, ISO tanks, bulk goods, forestry products, steel, palletised cargo, roll cages and fresh produce.

It incorporates five reception sidings, hardstanding and storage facilities, a road and rail fuelling station and a road weighbridge to enable speedy transfer between road and rail.

The development has been funded by a range of partners including Advantage West Midlands, Homes and Communities agency, the European Regional Development Fund and Telford and Wrekin Council in partnership with Transforming Telford.

Councillor Andrew Eade, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: “The terminal’s opening in May comes as we concentrate our support of existing and new businesses in the area and will underline Telford’s role as an important key transportation centre.”