Is that the sound of sleigh bells?

No – it’s the sound of trains ‘full of wine’ delivering millions of bottles to the nation’s supermarkets just in time for Christmas.

Weekly ‘wine trains’ are being laid on between now and December 25 to ensure supermarket shelves stay stocked with alcohol this Christmas.

The imported wine would normally be delivered by HGV drivers but due to a shortage of lorry drivers, freight trains are being used to avoid empty shelves.

Network Rail has ensured extra capacity for freight trains to transport 4.5 million bottles of imported wine from ports to supermarkets.

The first freight train carrying an estimated 643,000 bottles is understood to have left the port of Tilbury on Sunday bound for a depot in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

From there the alcohol will be delivered to supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

A train will then repeat the journey every week until December 19.

Network Rail is also working with other freight carriers, ports and trade bodies to ensure Christmas food and goods make it to shops in time.

It is increasing capacity on lines to and from Felixstowe from 37 to 40 services a day and has reduced disruption caused by engineering works on the Fenland route from the port.

The rail organisation is also working with operators to deliver longer, heavier trains so more goods can carried at once.

John Smith, the chief executive of GB RailFreight which is one of the freight operators helping to deliver goods, said the company is working ‘around the clock to safeguard Christmas deliveries’.

He said: ‘We are moving more boxes than ever before because of the dedication of our people, as well as greater industry co-operation.’

Another operator, Freightliner, said: ‘We are working to provide supplemental weekend rail services to move goods in time for Christmas.

‘We are discussing extending these weekend services throughout 2022 to drive more road traffic onto rail, which will help alleviate supply chain challenges.’

Last month, the government brought in Sir Dave Lewis, former chief executive of Tesco to help tackle shortages.

It came following warnings supply chain problems could impact Christmas favourites such as turkeys, presents and even pigs in blankets.

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