First freight train arrives at Sizewell C on new rail line built to cut lorries off Suffolk roads
Each train takes the equivalent of around 50 lorries off local roads
Last updated 10th Sep 2026
The first freight train has arrived at the Sizewell C site in Suffolk, in what the project is calling a major construction milestone.
The train rolled into the project's Temporary Construction Area in the early hours of Tuesday morning, carrying materials to help build the new nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.
It travelled along the new Green Rail Route, which connects the upgraded Sizewell branch line directly to the site.
Cutting lorries off local roads
The project says each freight train prevents the equivalent of around 50 lorries from having to travel on local roads, by moving large volumes of materials overnight and bypassing Leiston entirely.
Between now and Christmas, around 100,000 tonnes of material will be delivered by rail, removing the equivalent of approximately 5,000 lorry journeys.
The number of trains will increase in phases, with up to four freight trains a day running at peak capacity.
Initially, two overnight services will deliver construction aggregates to site.
For the next few weeks, trains will make a brief stop at Saxmundham before continuing to site.
Following Network Rail's upgrades to the East Suffolk Line later this year, trains will be able to continue directly to Sizewell C without stopping.
'A major milestone'
Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director of Sizewell C, said: "The arrival of our first commercial freight train is a major milestone for Sizewell C and a significant step forward in how we build the project. The Green Rail Route is the result of years of planning, engineering, and collaboration with key partners.
"By delivering 60% of our materials by rail and sea, we're significantly reducing the burden on local roads and local communities here in Suffolk. We want to deliver this project differently, minimising impacts and maximising the benefits for local communities – our rail plans are a big part of how we can achieve that."
The Green Rail Route was delivered with the support of Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Network Rail, and forms part of Sizewell C's commitment to transport at least 60% of construction materials by sea or rail.
Cllr Tom Daly, East Suffolk's cabinet member for Energy and Climate Change, said: "These essential mitigations have been made possible thanks to the constructive, collaborative approach between Sizewell C and East Suffolk Council. Bringing in materials by rail will significantly reduce the number of lorries on the roads, and their associated carbon footprint."
Years in the making
Much of the rail construction work was carried out by Balfour Beatty.
Tom Emanuel, Project Lead for the Sizewell C Rail Scheme at Balfour Beatty, said: "The arrival of the first commercial materials train into the TCA Railhead via the Green Rail Route is a landmark moment for the Sizewell C project and a proud achievement for everyone involved in its delivery.
"Building a brand new railway is a rare undertaking in the UK, and this milestone reflects years of planning, engineering and delivery excellence."
The wider rail improvement programme includes renewing 4.5 miles of track, replacing jointed rail with continuously welded rail to reduce noise, upgrading level crossings and installing a new signalling system.
The Sizewell branch line has historically seen very little traffic, with no daily passenger services since 1966.
Once construction is complete, both the Green Rail Route and the line serving the Ancillary Construction Area will be returned to their original condition.