Neil Booton
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For details and photos of test train running before 2010 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. NR test trains continue to appear sporadically and the NMT ran as expected on 30th July December The four class 20/3s and the barrier wagons worked from Derby to Old Dalby on 14th, leaving around lunchtime. 8X09 to Amersham may run tomorrow, if not then Thursday. 1Q13 Derby RTC to Melton / 1Q14 ran yesterday with NR's yellow class 37's, 97303 and 97304 top and tail and they are visiting again Wednesday 15th, booked 1249-1303 at Melton (from Derby again), then to Leicester & Coalville before returning to Derby. This same diagram produced 47712 and 47790 last week, the first 47s on a test train since 2006 so quite noteworthy. The 97/3s have been deployed on a wide range of test train duties lately due to the non-availability of class 31s as half the fleet have moved to Weardale (Durham) and Okehampton (Devon) respectively, two of the main bases for their owners British American Railway Company. The company own 31190, 31452, 31454, 31468, 31601 and 31602. The loss of these 31s, which were effectively the "spare" traction for test trains at Derby, could mean that future test workings to Old Dalby will be hauled by the 97/3s or DRS 37s again. The 97/3s are now cleared for use with the DBSOs after initial trials were successful. There was a lot of snow about in early December 8X23 09.30 Derby Litchurch Lane to Old Dalby was booked to run on 8th dependent upon the weather. The four class 20s were run up for a couple of hours at Lit Lane on Monday 6th proving very difficult to start and covering half of Derby with white smoke On Monday 6th another test train (radio survey / GSMR) was booked to run as 1Q13 Derby RTC to Melton Mowbray Down Loop via Leicester, Bedford, Kettering and Corby. This then would have formed 1Q14 1103 Melton to Derby RTC (via Syston & Loughborough) but not clear if it did. This ran several weeks ago with top and tail DRS 37s, but it was booked for a 31 + DBSO on Monday 6th. November On Wednesday 24th the class 20s with the barrier wagons returned as 6Z20 to Litchurch Lane where they are now stabled
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20302 heading the barrier wagons plus its three
sister locos approaches the foot crossing at Asfordby on the way back to
Derby on 24th November 2010 Neil Booton |
8X23 09.30 Derby Litchurch Lane to Old Dalby ran on Monday 22nd via the usual route and times
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Class 20 20305 leads the way with the latest
delivery from Derby. Pictured near the foot crossing at Asfordby on 22nd
November 2010 Neil Booton |
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The missing class 20s were noted at Litchurch Lane yesterday morning and do not seem to have moved 8X23 09.30 Derby Litchurch Lane to Old Dalby was booked to run Tuesday 16th via the usual route and times but it seemed that it was caped 3Z10 ran on Monday 15th consisting of 31233, Brake Force Runner 72630, Support Coach DB 977985, TRC 999508, Generator 6263, Ultrasonic 999602 and DBSO 9703
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31233
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Melton Junction with 3Z10 on 15th November. This was the last run of this
test train in 2010 Ben Wheeler |
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31233 & DBSO 9702 worked 3Z10 on Monday 8th and 8X23 0930 Derby to Old Dalby also ran with Train 7, hauled by the 20/3s as ever. Two of the class 20s (20304 & 20305) were back at Litchurch Lane with the barrier wagons by the end of the week. Rumour has it that the 20/3s are to receive some logos/branding soon, presumably Europorte/GBRf stickers. 3Z10 ran on Monday 1st November as booked with 31285 and UTU4 but 8X23 failed to get out of Litchurch Lane and was caped. Instead the class 20's took the barrier wagons back to Old Dalby in the afternoon as 6Z20 ready for another delivery run maybe on Wednesday 3rd. October The class 20s took the barrier wagons from Derby to Asfordby on 25th as 6Z20 and took Train 4 out on 27th at 11:42 to Neasden as 8X09 before returning to Derby.
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20301 and 20302 bring up the rear of 6Z20 Derby
to Old Dalby transit move with the
barrier wagons pictured approaching
Melton Junction 'bang road' from Melton Jcn on 25th. Ben Wheeler |
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The latest
SSL delivery run 8X09 passing Frisby on 27th October behind 20305 & 20304 Ben Wheeler |
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SSL Train 2 and Pre-Service Train 1 are on still on site with Train 6 expected to be delivered from Derby on Monday 1st November. PST1 is now the Type Test and system proving train, whereas the others have a couple of days Dynamic Commissioning then go onto Fault Free Running. By 15th 172003 was in traffic on the Barking - Gospel Oak line
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172003 pauses at Blackhorse Road on Friday 15th October on its way from Gospel Oak to Barking Author |
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172003 left the test track on 11th for Willesden Depot under its own power and travelled down the Midland to Bedford, across to Bletchley and then to Willesden. All eight of the LOROL Turbostars should be in service on the Gospel Oak-Barking line by the end of the month. |
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172003 passes Asfordby foot crossing at 08.45 on 11th October on its way to the LOROL depot at Willesden. This is the last of the current build of Turbostars which were on test at Old Dalby. Roll on the LM ones! Neil Booton |
SSL trip from Old Dalby to Amersham ran on 6th October
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8X09 passing Bagworth on the Coalville branch Ben Wheeler |
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September Pre-series SSL train 1 was being prepared for movement back to Derby Litchurch Lane later in the month, subject to route gauge clearance for moving stock back to Derby from Amersham. This was never cleared so PST1 was delivered direct to Asfordby by road over three days 26-28th September for use as a proving and mod test train. Train 5 returned to Derby after attending the "Innotrans 2010" rail exhibition in Berlin. 172008 also
returned to Litchurch Lane. |
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SSL set 5 at the Innotrans 2010 Exhibition in Berlin on 21st September 2010 |
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172003 was joined by 172008 on 23rd for noise tests and one unit ran up to 100mile/h on the Widmerpool straight. so don't believe all you read on Wikipedia. The exhaust problem is now resolved and the units won't have to have expensive modifications. There is a photo of the two units on the Railway Herald site here http://www.railwayherald.org/imaging.centre/showimage.php?image=166643&gallery=X3 47714 was rumoured to be leaving the test track to be replaced by Fragonset-liveried 47703, but this appears to be unfounded.
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47703 at Derby on 7th November 2007 whilst acting as Thunderbird during the Erewash blockade |
| 31106 with vehicles 72616, 72639, 6262, 999605 and DBSO
9702 worked 3Z10 Derby to Derby via Old Dalby on 20th. It was 35 minutes late
arriving on to the test track but 200 minutes early departing back to Derby at 1415.
3Z10 will not be running now until November when it should run on 1st, 8th and 15th The 20/3s worked a 6M08 1458 Old Dalby to West Ruislip on Tuesday 21st (via Melton, Oakham, Manton Junction, Kettering and the MML), hauling the barrier wagons.
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20305 heads 6M08 at
Ashwell on 21st September Neil Booton |
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NB was at the test track on 13th to see 31459 with DBSO on 3Z10 and class 172003 on test. The class 172 was taken out from Derby on a low loader last week - all photos courtesy Neil Booton |
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31459 has just crossed onto the south end of the test track at Asfordby |
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172003 and 31459 at Widmerpool on 13th September |
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172003 receiving attention on the former Up line at Widmerpool |
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172003 at Widmerpool |
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Ditto - undertaking noise acceptance tests |
3Z10 ran on 6th September with 31106 and vehicles 6264, 999606 and DBSO 9714 but no photos
August
3Z10 will not be running at all in August but will run Mondays in September except 27th.
3Z10 was expected to run on Monday 2nd August and may have brought a class 73 to the track for the first time but it was cancelled.
July
The NMT visited on 30th
| NMT visited the test track on July 30th and I was there! It ran the length of the line and also over the Up line right up to the buffer stops north of Widmerpool. Pictures by author unless otherwise credited - more on 'Present' page. |
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NMT heads for Asfordby having
just arrived at the test track Neil Booton |
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NMT standing at Asfordby with
43013 at the head whilst
the crew change ends Neil Booton |
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43013 heads the NMT as it passes Widmerpool on a northbound trip |
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NMT heads south at Upper
Broughton with 43014 leading Neil Booton |
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NMT comes round the southern
chord at Asfordby whilst undertaking a turning move Neil Booton |
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NMT southbound at Widmerpool with 43014 |
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NMT about to
leave the northern end of the Up line north of Widmerpool Author |
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NMT cautiously
approaching Widmerpool on the Up line heading north Author |
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43010 heads into the
original Up platform at Widmerpool on 30th July Author |
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Seen from the road
bridge next to the former Widmerpool station 43014 heads the NMT
on the Up line north of Widmerpool Author |
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Close up of cab of
43013 at Asfordby Neil Booton |
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Looking south from
the bridge at Upper Broughton as NMT heads towards Old Dalby Neil Booton |
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NMT on the Up Line
at Upper Broughton Neil Booton |
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NMT heads for home Neil Booton |
8X23 ran rather late on 20th July, Litchurch Lane to Asfordby delivering another SSL set. Thanks to Neil B for the photographs.
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20305 heads the formation and has just left Asfordby GF heading for Asfordby depot with the fifth delivery on SSL stock. Photo taken at 16.52 |
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20301 (Named 'Max Joule 1958-1999') pictured just south of the tunnel at 18.05 on its way back to Derby with the locos and barriers. |
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Close up of the nameplate on
20301, which is carried on the cab end front. Named after a
former
managing director of Direct Rail Services. Therailwaycentre.com |
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8X09 SSL delivery run took place on 14th with the four 20s (which were stabled at Lit Lane) from Asfordby to Neasden/Amersham. No photos unfortunately. Not sure where the class 20s ended up - not back in Derby 3Z10 ran on Monday 19th with 37610 & 37611 and UTU3. These could be the last DRS 37s to visit the line and Neil B was there with his camera.
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37611 has just negotiated the crossover at Asfordby Ground Frame with the UTU test train and is seen heading north on the test track on 19th July |
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37610 heads the UTU test train south past Widmerpool |
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37610 approaches the GF on its way back towards Melton Jcn |
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37610 thrashing past
Widmerpool heading for home Ben Wheeler |
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37610 at a different
location near Plumtree Neil Booton |
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37610 approaching
Asfordby on the way to Melton Ben Wheeler |
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37611 at the rear of
the test train as it propels it towards the Junction Neil Booton |
3Z10 ran on 12th with the SGT and was worked by 31602 & 31285 (top and tail) and Neil Booton was on hand to record events
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31602 propels the SGT into Asfordby tunnel heading for the depot |
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A close up of the Optical Car DC460000 outside the depot |
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The SGT at Asfordby |
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The SGT on the southern chord line with 31602 |
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31602 heads towards Melton Jcn after the day's testing is completed |
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June On 18th the transit move from Litchurch Lane ran as booked bringing the fourth SSL train to the test track. There are now two SSL trains, the class 172 and Serco's collection of locos at Asfordby. 20 304 20 305 20 301 and 20 302 hauled the set to Asfordby arriving at 15.10 and leaving at the booked time of 17.00. The class 172 unit left by road on Monday 21st back to Litchurch Lane works and the unit had been split within the site ready for Allerleys. The following photos by Neil Booton, taken with the permission of Serco, get a bit nearer to the action
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The fourth SSL set arrives at Asfordby top'n'tailed by two pairs of class 20's on 18th June pictured behind the Jocko and class 47 |
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Two SSL sets inside Asfordby depot on 18th June |
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One car of the class 172 sits alone outside the depot. It will return to Litchurch lane by road on Monday 21st June |
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20304 and 20302 outside the depot |
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The other end of the train were 20305 and 20301 |
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20304 leads the formation off the test track - pictured from above the north portal of Asfordby tunnel |
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On 14th 3Z10/11 didn't run and the NMT was scheduled to return but went to Kilmarnock instead. Friday 18th was a possibility though as a repeat visit is necessary after the problems it encountered the other day on the test track but in the event it didn't return. Looks like 30th July now. The DRS 20/3s (on hire to Europorte 2, the company who now own and operate GBRf) ran from Crewe to Derby on Thursday afternoon 17th to work 8X23 0930 Derby Litchurch Lane to Asfordby via Burton, Coalville and Leicester on 18th. They then took the barrier wagons back to Derby via Loughborough. The regular moves with the SSL stock from Litchurch Lane to Asfordby should start running every week now. The locos and barrier wagons are stabled within the Works.
On the 11th NR's New Measurement Train visited the test track but was aborted at Melton Junction, the train actually got past the catch points
onto the curve but there was a problem with the ground frame which delayed the
train by 4 hours therefore not leaving sufficient time to carry out the tests
and so it returned to Derby at approx 15.00 The four class 20s were booked to move to Doncaster on the 24th - 20142, 20189, 20901 and 20905 (in that order). The class 172 Turbostar is still at the track and could be out next week. The Network Rail TRC test train was running last week with the two class 31s top'n'tailing, and left as booked. On 17th the TRC test train was out and about and Neil Booton was there with his camera
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31601 heads south at Widmerpool with the test train on 17th May 2010 |
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31454 brings the train round the north curve of the triangle at Asfordby and approaches the depot on 20th May |
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31601 brings up the rear - the train was turned during its time at the track on 20th May prior to leaving. |
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31454 at Widmerpool northbound |
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31454 with the test train near Old Dalby |
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MENTOR with pantograph raised |
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31601 near A46 road bridge on the Up line |
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A very busy day at the test track on 14th when the delayed delivery of the next SSL coincided with the arrival of the TRC test train. Lots of locos and activities at Asfordby into the evening. Here are some excellent shots by Neil Booton |
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20142 brings up the rear of the SSL delivery train pictured at Asfordby foot crossing just south of the Ground Frame, looking north. Sister loco 20189 was on the rear and 20901 and 20905 on the front. The train originated at Bombardier's Derby works and travelled to Melton via Burton, Coalville and Leicester necessitating a few reversals on the way |
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The four class 20s stabled outside Asfordby depot on 14th May |
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Two 31s top'n'tail the TRC test train as it approaches the depot. The train consist included the TRC and MENTOR. |
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There are eight locos in shot as the TRC test train arrives with 31454 and 31601 at 6pm on 14th May 2010 |
4Z10 & 4Z11 ran Monday 10th and consisted of a track machine - no photos
SSL train 1 left on 5th May for Neasden with class 20 haulage.
Here are a few shots by Neil Booton of the class 20's at the depot and of the SSL leaving
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20142 and 20189 head towards the depot at Asfordby |
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20189 and 20142 at the depot throat - note tanker barrier wagon behind and a couple of Serco's 08's |
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The SSL train 1 departs from the test track on 5th May top'n'tailed by four class 20's - pictured here coming along the Asfordby line approaching the ground frame |
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20905 and sister loco bring up the rear of the transit move to Neasden at Asfordby GF |
April
| 66138 and 66175 from Toton arrived on
the test track at 10.49 on 28th April and departed at 17.29. The train
stopped at Old Dalby to pick the wagon operators up and proceeded up to
Widmerpool and used the crossover to gain access to the up main, then
reversed out and headed up to Plumtree All photos courtesy Neil Booton |
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66175 at Widmerpool with the ballast working on 28th April |
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With 66175 leading the train accesses the test track at Asfordby GF |
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66175 heads the train over the A46 bridge and approaches Widmerpool |
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The operators get stuck in and prepare to drop some ballast just south of Widmerpool |
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In anticipation of the forthcoming exit of SSL train 1 to Neasden, 66725 and the 100T tanker barrier wagons arrived from Peterborough on 20th April |
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GBrF 66725 'Sunderland'
approaching Asfordby Tunnel on 20th April
with the SSL barrier wagons Ben Wheeler |
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On 16th April 172001 returned to Derby by road leaving just one class 172 at Asfordby but not before it was snapped with the SSL train |
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The SSL train 1 has just been
passed by 172001 at Upper Broughton on 14th April. Neil Booton |
The class 172 was still on test in the second and third weeks of April.
During week ending 10th April it ran the whole length of the line
Class 172 on 9th April - all photos by author
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The 172 shows off its lines heading south near the A46 bridge on 9th April. Note the lightweight bogies derived from the Class 220 B5000 design |
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At Upper Broughton heading north |
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172001 has just crossed the A46 near Widmerpool heading north in this view |
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The 172 Turbostar powers north at the former Widmerpool station site - Up platform on left |
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Heading south through the old station area |
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172 passes Widmerpool heading for home at Asfordby |
March
March 26th - Running as a four car unit this week
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2 x 172 units at Widmerpool on
26th March 2010 Neil Booton |
Another class 172 arrived on 18th March - both units running week ending 27th March as a 4-car
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Units 001 and 002 depart Asfordby on the bright sunny morning of 26th March 2010 Neil Booton |
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Face-to-face at Asfordby on 26th
March 2010 Neil Booton |
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The Pullman Inn at Widmerpool appears to have closed. Bombardier's latest class 172 'green' Turbostar DMUs are now at the test track for commissioning and shakedown running. These are destined for the London Overground Gospel Oak-Barking line. 4Z10/11 ran on Monday 8th March but surprisingly instead of the class 31 and DBSO it consisted of the TRU 950001. No photos I'm afraid. It didn't run in February but is booked to run on March 22nd, April 5th and 12th. Bombardier's class 172 'green' DMU arrived at the test track in early March
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The first class 172 Turbostar heads south past Widmerpool on a murky 10th March 2010 Neil Booton |
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On another run by the unit is
captured from the observation platform Neil Booton |
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The first proper DMU on the line
since the class 180 in 2000 Neil Booton |
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4Z10/11 ran on Monday 8th March but surprisingly instead of the class31 and DBSO it consisted of the TRU 950001. No photos I'm afraid. February 4Z10/11 was supposed to run on Monday 8th but was cancelled. It is also booked to run on the following dates:- March 22nd, April 5th and April 12th. 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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