For details and photos of test train running before 2011 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.

December

3Z10 ran on 5th December with 31602 and UTU4

November

7X23 ran on Tuesday 22nd with the usual four 20s from Derby to Old Dalby. 7X09 ran to Amersham on Wednesday 23rd, once again with the four 20s.

3Z10 is running on Monday 28th, motive power is currently not known but increasingly more DRS 37s are being used on the ultrasonic test trains in lieu of unavailable class 31s, for example 37409 was used on UTU3 last week, in fact the loco is still at Derby so this could be in the frame for 3Z10 (if so it will be the first 37/4 to visit the line). It should be UTU3 on Monday and is then booked to run on Monday 5th December with UTU4 and Monday 12th December with UTU2.

In other news, HNRC shunter 09018 has moved to the test track after receiving attention at Boden Rail, Washwood Heath.

October

8X23 ran on Monday and Tuesday 10th, 11th again, with 20302 & 20305 (top and tail). 8X09 ran on Wednesday 12th unusually with 20302 & 20305 at the front and 66714 on the rear. The other two 20s (301 & 304) have now returned to the frame, so the yellow MLA brake force wagons are no longer needed. 8X09 was worked forward from Washwood Heath with all four 20s on the train (two at each end) on Wednesday 12th.

The S-Stock moves have now seemingly settled into a weekly diagram, with a movement from Derby now happening every Monday and Tuesday, then taking a unit away to Amersham every Wednesday. There is talk of the moves being recoded to class 7 (50mph) workings, currently they are running under a class 8 (35mph) headcode.

3Z10 is finally running again on Monday 24th October, barring any last minute cancellation. It is running under the usual timings i.e 0830 from Derby RTC, returning from the test track at 1730.

8X09 and 8X23 were both cancelled first week in October due to various issues. Two of the 20s are now back with DRS at Carlisle Kingmoor, the other two remain at Peterborough.

September

20's + S Stock were booked to run as 8X23 0933 Litchurch Lane to Asfordby (arrive 1440) on Tuesday 13th , followed by 8X09 1350 Asfordby to Amersham on Wednesday.

Also, a DB Schenker class 66 will be bringing the Balfour track machine to Old Dalby on Wednesday morning (14th) . I don't have a headcode but it's running from Dollands Moor to Old Dalby via Luton and Leicester, then run round in Melton Loop. Arrival at Old Dalby/Asfordby expected around 0830.

The NMT departed Derby at 0733 on Friday morning (16th) and arrived on to the test track at 0920. The return working was booked to leave at 1822. Runs as 3Z10 (outward) and 3Z11 (return) as per usual.

8X23 Litchurch Lane to Asfordby ran on 6th September with the four usual 20s. 8X09 to Amersham, which now seems to be running virtually every week, was booked to run on 7th.

In other news, the NMT  visited again on Friday 16th September for calibration. Also, there was a DB Schenker operated track machine move from Dollands Moor, hauling a new Balfour Beatty tamper (DR75501) which is to be tested on the line.

August

8X23 was booked to run on Tuesday 30th but under revised timings yet again as it still hadn't left Litchurch Lane as of 1130 (due away at 0930).

8X09 is booked to run to Amersham on Wednesday 31st. All four 20s are now back on the S-Stock moves, using just the two barrier tanks.

3Z10/1 was cancelled on 8th as the UTU was required elsewhere

8X23 is planned to run on 9th and 11th

8X23 Derby to Old Dalby ran on Tuesday 2nd, with two 20s on the front and a 66 on the rear again. 8X09 Derby to Amersham is running on Wednesday 3rd with a single 20 at each end.

The Structure Gauging Train visited on Monday 1st August, arriving at 1052  (headcode 1Q06) and was due to depart for Derby at 1554 on Tuesday afternoon (also 1Q06). On Monday afternoon and for most of Tuesday, the train will be performing calibration runs along the entire length of the test track, providing ample opportunities for photographs.
The train is booked for top and tail class 31s, but due to ongoing reliability problems with the locomotives it could well produce 37s instead.
Another S-Stock unit has left the test track, with 20304 & 20305 being deployed for 8X09 1142 Old Dalby to Amersham yesterday. The 20s arrived with the barrier wagons on Tuesday afternoon 26th July, having run from Peterborough Yard.

3Z10/11 is down to run next on August 15th, with a class 31 + UTU.

July

8X23 Derby to Asfordby ran on both Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th. The locos and barrier wagons were moved to Derby Litchurch Lane from Peterborough on Monday morning and went back to Peterborough on Monday evening to stable overnight, after being used on the first 8X23. They then moved to Derby on Tuesday morning again, for the second 8X23 of the week, then the barriers went back to Peterborough in the evening again. All of these moves were unusually worked by 66722 top and tail with 20301 & 20304, due to ongoing problems with the class 20/3's.

Wednesday 13th saw another movement from Asfordby to Amersham (8X09) which departed from the test track two hours late. This was worked by 20301 & 20304 on their own, which were coupled one at each end. The yellow Network Rail JGA wagons made a return on this working, with two coupled to the barrier tank at each end, for additional brake force.

20302 has now been returned to DRS at Carlisle Kingmoor, so looks like it may not work any further S-Stock moves. 20303 is at Crewe and a broken 20305 remains at Peterborough, having arrived from Crewe last week, but then subsequently failed and not used on anything. 20308 has returned to use with DRS, having been noted on nuclear flask duties recently.

June

3Z10/11 ran ton 20th as planned with 31106 + DBSO

On 20th Neil B took these pictures of three SSL sets stabled in the former Army base headshunt near Old Dalby

	Three SSL sets in the sidings on 20th June
	Three SSL sets in the sunshine on 20th June
	Another angle

More news on the class 20s:- 20308 is going back to DRS as it is required for a railtour on Saturday. It is planned to swap it for 20303 which carries the old DRS livery (with light blue roof). 20308 should be taking 20301 (which has severe wheel flats) from Peterborough back to Crewe on Tuesday morning (21st), booked to pass Melton at 0940.

Also on Tuesday, the 20/3's are then booked to work a 6Z20 Peterborough to Old Dalby, hauling the barrier wagons. This is booked to arrive on the test track at 1600. Presumably there could be an S-Stock move from Asfordby on Wednesday.

The following Monday (27th June) 950001 (TRU) is coming back to the test track for more calibration, running as 2Z08, but using the 3Z10 path. It will run the length of the line on Monday and Tuesday, before returning to Derby on Tuesday evening (28th June) as 2Z08 (in the 3Z11 path, 1730 off Old Dalby).On Monday 13th 3Z10/11 and the SSL delivery train ran and Neil Booton took the pictures

	Nose to tail 20302 and 20308 - unusual
	20302 and 20308 at Asfordby
	20305 at Asfordby Crossing
	31285 somewhere on the test track

The UTU was delayed at Old Dalby due to engineering work at Widmerpool. Trackwork is relaying the line past the buffer stops at Stanton Tunnel that was originally lifted due to a rare species of Deptford Pink flower being discovered.

A crossover will be put in here to provide a run round loop. The SSL stock will then start to be stored at Widmerpool as a set at Asfordby has recently been vandalised with 4 carriages being sprayed with graffiti.

Also although it was always understood that all the SSL sets would be tested at Old Dalby apparently only 20 more will be tested which was always planned, also a new signalling system will be installed.

The 20s also ran on 13th bringing in a 7 car set but 20 301 was not in the consist due to failure with a severe wheel flat and DRS 20308 is now on hire to GBRF, it ran in a rather unusual formation with cab to nose- see photo above

On another subject it looks like the Pullman Inn has been shut for some time as it looked very overgrown this week

May

Another quiet month. A Balfour Beatty track machine has been present recently, it was noted leaving Asfordby heading towards Grimston tunnel on the evening of 4th May and is believed to have run to Melton Sidings on 5th.

The 20/3's are currently stabled just outside of the depot gates at Asfordby with the two barrier wagons. They were booked to go back to Derby on 5th but this move seems to have been cancelled.

8X23 09.30 ran on 4th May from Derby Litchurch Lane to Old Dalby with another SSL train and arrived at Old Dalby at 1440

April

A quiet month

There was an S-Stock move is from Derby to Amersham on Wednesday 27th April, with the second rake of 'S7' S-Stock. The previous move from Derby to Amersham ran on Wednesday 30th March, conveying the first seven-car rake of 'S7' stock for use on the Hammersmith & City lines.

The 'S7' Stock is much like the eight-car 'S8' S-Stock, except that trains have seven cars instead of eight, and (due to it being used on inner-city lines with higher ridership) will have longitudinal seating throughout with no transverse seating.

8X09 Asfordby to Amersham ran on Wednesday 6th April consist as below:

921011, 922011, 923011, 924011, 924012, 925012, 922012, 921012.

The Class 20/3's were assigned to take 66716 from Peterborough to Longport on Tuesday 19th April, after which they should have visited Crewe for minor repairs.

March

3Z10 0830 Derby RTC to Old Dalby ran Thursday 31st top'n' tailed by DBS 37611 and 37607. It stabled at Asfordby and will return Friday afternoon to Derby as 3Z11 under the usual 1728 path. Track Inspection Coach 999508 was in the consist again. More pics on 'Present' page

	37607 arriving at Asfordby depot after a day on the test track Neil Booton
	37611 on the test train stabled outside the depot at Asfordby on afternoon of 31st March 2011 DB Schenker

	37611 brings up the rear of the test train as it arrives at Asfordby depot on 31st March Neil Booton
	37611 and train stables outside the depot Neil Booton

Looks like 47714 at Asfordby has received a repaint back into its Anglia blue colours, or at least a heavy clean and is now looking suitably blue rather than the pale green that it had become due to years of storage:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwestwood/5552981633/

Look here on Flickr for a picture which shows the locomotive in the sunshine but it seems they still need to do the very top of the cabs.

On 24th March, 950001 (the class 150 TRU) visited the test track (again) for calibration and stayed until Friday evening.

Neil Booton watched it arrive

TRU 950001heads for the ground frame at Asfordby having just traversed the line from Melton Junction on the morning of 24th March 2011 Neil Booton

Also, interesting to note that on Wednesday 23rd there was to be an 8X09 15:50 Derby Litchurch Lane to Amersham (via Burton, Tamworth, Dorridge, Banbury and Aylesbury) booked to run, conveying S-Stock but unusually moving directly from Derby to Amersham. This could have been moving one of the pre-series trains which were originally at Old Dalby and returned to Derby for re-fitting. However it was CANCELLED

On 31st the TIC arrived with 37611 and 37607 - pics courtesy Neil Booton

1Z10/11 ran on 4th with the NMT formed of 43014, 43062 and four vehicles.  

8X23 is now cleared for running via Spondon & Loughborough instead of Coalville. Sadly, it is booked to run in the middle of the night so pictures of those workings will probably not be possible now, considering 8X09 now runs at night as well. 8X23 ran overnight on Wednesday 01.10 Litchurch Lane - Old Dalby, arriving around 03.00am

February

3Z10 ran on Monday (28th) with 31602 hauling UTU2, 975091 "MENTOR" and DBSO 9702 - MENTOR was just a make-up vehicle and did not test the overhead line.

Neil Booton took the pictures

	31602 between Melton Jcn and Asfordby GF with the UTU2 test train
	A closer view of Mentor - just along for the ride

31602 heads north at Widmerpool with the UTU2 test train on 28th February

Serco's Test Car 2 number 975397 was observed at Asfordby on 24th having arrived by road.

Test Car 2 was originally numbered ADB975397 but shown here freshly re-painted in Serco livery and displaying the wrong number 976397 Taken around 1998 in the yard at the RTC Serco

Test Car 2 leaving RTC for Old Dalby by road on 23rd February 2011 Steve Hempsall

The class 20/3s now have their original formation of 20301, 302, 304 & 305 again and 20308 has returned to DRS at Crewe. T

3Z10 ran on 21st with 31602 + 72616, 72639, 6263, 999602 (UTU3) & DBSO 9703.

On Thursday 10th the Network Rail Track Recording Unit Class 150 DMU 950001 visited the test track.

8X23 09.30 Derby Litchurch Lane - Old Dalby (arr 15.05) and 6Z20 17.00 Old Dalby - Derby Litchurch Lane (barrier wagons) also ran - photos courtesy Neil Booton

	With Asfordby GF in the background the TRU heads along the test track
	Heading for the tunnel
	The TRU on the Up line at Widmerpool

The New Measurement Train was at the test track on Friday 4th and Neil Booton took the photos

	Just having gained access to the test track via Asfordby GF, the NMT is pictured here with 43062 leading
	Heading for the tunnel with 43014 bringing up the rear
	Leaning to the curve near Plumtree
	The NMT heads north near Plumtree on 4th February 2011 with 43014 on the rear
	43014 at Widmerpool -  no branding and well-hidden running number

January

Serco's only remaining operational Test Car (Test Car 2) is due to come to the test track where it will be stored. This should have happened on 17th and was then arranged for 27th but that was cancelled

27th

1Q31 0745 Derby RTC - Old Dalby (Track Recording Coach) and TC2 was caped today due to technical problems with the TRC. 37069 and 37259 were booked motive power

8X09 2015 Old Dalby - Dorridge with 20's, barriers and S Stock ran overnight on 25th & 26th via Leicester, Hinckley, Water Orton, Tyseley. Train departed on time and stabled in the Down Goods Loop at Dorridge overnight and continued Wednesday night.

On Monday 24th 3Z10 ran arriving at the test track about 13.00 The full consist was 31459, DB977985, 72631, Track Recording Coach DB999508, 6263, 999602 and DBSO 9703.

The above info courtesy Ben Wheeler and 'Anon'

The NR UTU test train visited on 24th - pictures from Neil Booton

18th

172331 left the test track today

3Z10/11 ran on Monday 17th with 31233 and vehicles 72630, 72631, 6262, 999605 plus DBSO 9702. No pics unfortunately.  47714 was also out and the London Midland 172 was still stabled at Widmerpool.

8X23 was booked to run Wednesday 19th

The London Midland 3-car Class 172/2 (172331) was out on test week beginning 10th January. Photos courtesy Neil Booton.

The London Midland 3-car Class 172/2 (172331) arrived on 6th and underwent acceptance testing between 10th and 17th January. It was stabled in the vicinity of Widmerpool as Asfordby was full of SSL trains - see below

8X23 from Litchurch Lane to Asfordby ran on 5th with (what I presume to be) SSL Train 10. The 20s then returned to Derby with the barriers in the evening as 6Z20.

TIC+TRC, NMT and then TRU were due to come in late Jan/Early Feb for one day each for back/back calibration.

3Z10/11 was supposed to run on Monday 10th was cancelled.

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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