The first commercial freight train for 20 years ran out of Portbury docks, near Bristol, this month carrying 1,200 tons of imported coal along the recently reopened Portishead line.

The train - on it way to Firfoots power station in South Wales - carried the headboard The Avon Gorge Rail Freight Revival. The Portishead line was reopened by Transport Minister John Speller in December 2001.

Since then drivers from the EWS rail freight operator have been training on the eight-mile long line. When fully operational the line will carry at least seven coal trains a day and there are also plans for trains carrying timber, plaster board and cars. It could mean 24 trains a day use the line.

The line was rebuilt with a