After 37 years and more than 50 million miles in service, the fleet of PCA rail wagons that has reliably transported alumina from the Port of Blyth to ALVANCE British Aluminium’s Fort William smelter has completed its final journey.
These distinctive wagons, in operation since the late 1980s, have travelled the equivalent of 2,000 laps of the globe, 105 return trips to the Moon, or nearly halfway to Mars.

Check its last journey here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7349107595472691200

The final departure from Fort William took place on Wednesday 9 July 2025. After a brief stop at the Port of Tyne, the train reached its destination at the Port of Sunderland, where the wagons are now being decommissioned.
To mark the occasion, ALVANCE British Aluminium produced a short film capturing the last alumina train as it pulled away from the smelter and followed the iconic West Highland Line, passing through the dramatic landscape of Loch Treig. The reservoir, held behind Treig Dam, is a key component of the hydroelectric scheme that powers the smelter. Including it in the footage was a deliberate nod to the deep connection between landscape, power and production in Lochaber’s aluminium story.

Fittingly, a member of the ALVANCE British Aluminium team currently overseeing the commissioning of the new wagons happened to spot the final alumina train passing through Newcastle during an evening walk. This moment was added to the video, which has since been viewed more than 10,000 times across the company’s social media channels.

Tom Uppington, Managing Director of ALVANCE British Aluminium, reflected on the occasion:

“These wagons have been part of the rhythm of life at Fort William and the Port of Blyth for almost four decades. Their retirement marks a significant moment for everyone who’s worked with them. More than anything, I want to recognise the commitment of our teams, contractors and long-standing partners who kept everything running smoothly. As we look ahead to a modernised fleet and a more sustainable supply chain, we do so with real gratitude for the people and partnerships that brought us here.”

ALVANCE British Aluminium have entered early discussions with a historical rail organisation regarding the possible donation of selected PCA wagons, with the aim of preserving a small part of the UK’s industrial heritage for future generations.
As this chapter closes, ALVANCE British Aluminium is inviting anyone who has worked with or photographed the PCA fleet over the years to share their memories, in tribute to the people and stories behind the long-serving work of British industry.
Further updates on the arrival of the new wagon fleet will be shared in due course.

For further information, please contact: 

Colleen MacLean 

• Email: Colleen.MacLean@alvancegroup.com