66616 at Leamore (Bloxwich)
66616 coasts downhill through Leamore, south of Bloxwich, at 13:18 on Thursday 11th February 2016. The train is 4E82, the 14:00 Rugeley - Leeds, running about 68 minutes early. Two days earlier it had been announced that Rugeley Power Station would close in summer 2016. Regular coal trains to Rugeley ceased on Friday 19th February 2016, and the power station ceased generating on Wednesday 8th June when the coal stockpile ran out. Only a handful of trains went to the power station after 19th February. The ones that I know of are listed below, and to the best of my knowledge this is a complete list...
Date Traffic Arrival Departure
Tue 01/03/2016 Cripple collection? Light engine from Leeds Train to Holbeck
Sat 05/03/2016 Limestone Loaded from Tunstead Empty to Guide Bridge
Sat 26/03/2016 Limestone Loaded from Tunstead (via Sheffield/Toton)
Engineering work north of Stafford on this day		 Empty to Guide Bridge (via Colwich/Stoke)
Engineering work north of Stafford on this day
Sat 09/04/2016 Limestone Loaded from Tunstead Empty to Guide Bridge
Thu 28/04/2016 Coal Loaded from Portbury (6M04) Empty to York (4E74)
There were a number of other workings to Rugeley PS during 2016, mostly operated by WCRC. However these involved cranes and suchlike, and weren't power station traffic.