2009

2009 activities

For details and photos of test train running before 2009 see the index here.

The line is leased by LUL in order to test and commission the next generation of London Underground trains, known as Sub Surface Lines (SSL) trains. Serco Assurance were awarded the contract to manage the whole of the test track of behalf of LUL which will give them the opportunity to attract other interested parties to the line.

All photos by Neil Booton unless otherwise credited

December

BR blue 31106 visited the test track on Monday 7th December on 4Z10. Loco leading to Melton, then pushing the train onto the test track - driving from the DBSO - this was the last run of the test train of the year.

	31106 arrives at Melton Mowbray on Monday 7th December with the last NR test train of 2009
	31106 propels its train towards Asfordby Tunnel on 7th December 2009

November

SSL pre-series train 1 was due to arrive from Bombardier's Litchurch Lane Works on 29th October with class 66's as motive power. It was delayed and finally arrived on Wednesday 4th November with just one!

SSL pre-series train 1 arrives at Melton Mowbray behind 66731 after its trip from Litchurch Lane Works on 4th November 2009

A close-up of one of the barrier wagon on the train

31105 propels the test train with UTU and TRC north into Asfordby Tunnel on 16th March 2009. The test track line is on the left and the line to Asfordby depot is on the right
Ben Wheeler

October

On October 5th 31602 with two coaches and a DBSO, arrived at Melton 3 minutes late, heading for the test track - see photos below

The original SSL unit (pre-series train 2) was still on test and commissioning at the test track but was expected to leave soon, meanwhile 4Z10 and 4Z11 ran on October 5th as expected with 31602 as motive power.

31602 is pictured crossing the river at Rhubarb Island on its way towards the test track on Monday 5th October 2009

31602 pictured on arrival at Melton Station signal box on 5th October 2009 setting back into the approach sidings for the yard.

31602 powers its train towards Asfordby Tunnel on the same day

31 459 visited the test track on October 12th.

31459 pictured from the overbridge at Upper Broughton on 12th October with the UTU4 test train running unusually on the Up line

Neil Booton

47 714 was on the move on 14th October and was pictured near Asfordby depot

47714 leaving the depot on a driver training run on 14th October

47714 heads down towards the chord line

The planned move of the SSL to Neasden on 15th October was caped due to 'paperwork problems'.

20227 & 20189 with 4 x MLA wagons approaching Asfordby Tunnel on 15th October with the brake force wagons for the move. They later returned to Wellingborough

The 'S' Stock unit finally left on 20th October as 8X09 Old Dalby to Neasden LUL with 20189 and 20227, was 40 minutes early departing from Melton.
It was operated by class 20's as Class 66 are not allowed inside Neasden depot. A few additional wagons acted as brake runners plus the two tankers with the LUL couplers. The next SSL set was due to arrive on 29th October.

20227 brings up the rear of the brake runner train pictured on the direct Asfordby line just south of the tunnel as it arrived at the test track on 20th October 2009

20227 brings up the rear of the same consist train on 20th October 2009. It is pictured on the direct Asfordby line just south of the tunnel with 20189 at the front

Serco's UTU4 test train visited the line again on 26th October as 4Z10 out and 4Z11 back. It traversed the whole of the line in order to reach the calibration rails at the north end of the test track.

31465 propels its UTU4 test train south past Widmerpool on 26th October 2009

September

47714 was on hire to Serco 'for 12 weeks' and was photographed on arrival at Asfordby from GCR where it was based. It was loaded onto a trailer at Quorn on 14th September and transported by road to Asfordby. The loco is owned by HNRC and was to be involved with moving the tube stock between Asfordby and Old Dalby due to the class 08's not being up to the job in the leaf fall season. The report of the arrival of 47714 in Railway Herald mentions 'wagon testing'. Serco driver training was expected to begin on Monday 21st with 75mile/h runs all the way to Edwalton

Former Anglia Railways class 47 714 on arrival at Asfordby on 14th September 2009

47714 at Asfordby depot in the company of 08834

Former Anglia Railways class 47 714 is shunted by 08834 at Asfordby on 14th September 2009. The loco was previously at the GCR and it had been acquired as motive power for the shunt moves with the SSL stock from Asfordby to Old Dalby

In a former life 47714 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on 16th June 2007
Author

August

4Z10 and 4Z11 ran on August 17th with 31106 in BR blue livery four coaches in the consist (including DBSO 9703). but the return working 4Z11 was stopped at Melton Junction and the train returned to Old Dalby due to wheel flats on the class 31 . Both trips were to calibrate the UTU4 stock. This is the first time the loco has visited in this livery and also the first BR blue 31 up the test track in a very long time!

The train returned to Derby on 18th overnight - see NR/Serco page for timings

31106 approaches Asfordby tunnel on 17th August having just joined the test track with a NR test train

31106 approaches the ground frame at Asfordby on 17th August 2009

31106 heading north and pictured approaching the Widmerpool viewing platform on 17th August 2009

July

The SGT ran overnight on Monday 20th July as 1Z16 Derby to Derby via Old Dalby. It consisted of Class 31's topping and tailing the SGT itself. 2030 ex Derby RTC, 2140 off Melton, booked Old Dalby from 2201 until 2332, then back to Derby (departs Melton at 00.01).

A rare visit to the line for me on 22nd to photograph the UTU test train but apparently it failed on the way from the RTC with loco trouble at Trent Jcn and returned to Derby. However the 'S Stock' was out running so I contented myself with a couple of shots off the bridge at Upper Broughton

The SSL test train heading north..........
Author

. ..............and coming back towards Old Dalby. The test track looks very overgrown and uncared for. The rails on the Down line were very rusty, not having been run over for at least a week.
Author

June

On Monday 15th and Tuesday 23rd June Serco/NR test trains visited the track.

	With 31602 'Driver Dave Green' propelling, a Serco test train pauses at Asfordby Ground Frame on 15th June 2009 to give up the Tyer's Key token.
	On 23rd June 31233 is pictured between Asfordby GF and Melton Junction GF with another test train heading south. Lots of overgrown vegetation visible on both pictures - but at least the test track is still open!

March

Energisation Notices related to the third and fourth rails were posted along the Test Track at the appropriate locations.
The lines were energised on Monday 23rd March 2009.

On 23rd March the pioneer 'S Stock' train ran on the DC for the first time at Old Dalby, albeit limited to 25km/h. Later in the week it was due to start brake testing and gradually raising the running speed. Thursday 26th saw a VIP day when the train ran at up to 100km/h (60 mile/h) and was named by Tim O'Toole, the outgoing top man on LUL.

It would also seem that the class 08 shunter was unsuitable for hauling the set from Asfordby up the gradient to the start of the third/fourth rail at Old Dalby, as it can't keep its feet. The possibility of hiring a larger loco such as a class 47 or two class 20's was being considered.

The UTU and TRC visited the test track with 31105 and a DBSO on Monday 16th March as part of the final preparations to start running the SSL train from Monday 23rd. Arrived 15 mins late at Old Dalby and departed 30 mins early back to Derby.
February

The first SSL unit left Litchurch Lane works on the morning of Thursday 26th February 2009 top 'n' tailed by two Metronet class 66 locos and the formation included some bogie open ballast wagons as brake runners. The formation ran via Burton, Moira and Coalville down to Knighton Junction, where it reversed and came up to Syston Jcn via Leicester. This was to avoid tight platform clearances at Long Eaton and on the line via Stenson Jcn to Sheet Stores where an overbridge was also foul of gauge.

The first SSL approaches Asfordby depot on 26th February 2009 top 'n' tailed by Metronet class 66's
Authors collection

Thanks to Andrew Royle, Ben Wheeler, Neil Booton for news and photos

For details and photos of test train running since Alstom left and LUL took over see here.

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	SSL pre-series train 1 arrives at Melton Mowbray behind 66731 after its trip from Litchurch Lane Works on 4th November 2009
	A close-up of one of the barrier wagon on the train
	31105 propels the test train with UTU and TRC north into Asfordby Tunnel on 16th March 2009. The test track line is on the left and the line to Asfordby depot is on the right Ben Wheeler

	31602 is pictured crossing the river at Rhubarb Island on its way towards the test track on Monday 5th October 2009
	31602 pictured on arrival at Melton Station signal box on 5th October 2009 setting back into the approach sidings for the yard.
	31602 powers its train towards Asfordby Tunnel on the same day

	47714 leaving the depot on a driver training run on 14th October
	47714 heads down towards the chord line

	20227 brings up the rear of the brake runner train pictured on the direct Asfordby line just south of the tunnel as it arrived at the test track on 20th October 2009
	20227 brings up the rear of the same consist train on 20th October 2009. It is pictured on the direct Asfordby line just south of the tunnel with 20189 at the front

	Former Anglia Railways class 47 714 on arrival at Asfordby on 14th September 2009
	47714 at Asfordby depot in the company of 08834
	Former Anglia Railways class 47 714 is shunted by 08834 at Asfordby on 14th September 2009. The loco was previously at the GCR and it had been acquired as motive power for the shunt moves with the SSL stock from Asfordby to Old Dalby
	In a former life 47714 is pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on 16th June 2007 Author

	31106 approaches Asfordby tunnel on 17th August having just joined the test track with a NR test train
	31106 approaches the ground frame at Asfordby on 17th August 2009
	31106 heading north and pictured approaching the Widmerpool viewing platform on 17th August 2009

	The SSL test train heading north.......... Author
	. ..............and coming back towards Old Dalby. The test track looks very overgrown and uncared for. The rails on the Down line were very rusty, not having been run over for at least a week. Author