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.

47773 on hire to ROG, visited again on Thursday 24th to take one of the class 321 EMU's back to Ilford. Timings here

Some other activities at the test track on 21st March when 37219 and 37421 top'n'tailed 3Z10 with two Ultrasonic Test Unit sets and also Structure Gauging Train 2 (SGT2) in the consist all for calibration.

Some interesting news here related to RVEL operating test trains to and from Old Dalby spotted by Ben Wheeler

http://www.rvel.co.uk/2016/02/rvel-becomes-train-operator

What sort of workings exactly we will see I'm not sure but note that these aren't anything to do with the Colas operated 3Z10/11 test train calibration runs.

Timings here for the next lot of mainline IEP runs from Old Dalby W/C 22nd February, all showing as DMU moves on the system so presumably it is one of the IEP units under its own power utilising both diesel and electric.

This will be the first instance of an IEP running under its own power from the test track onto the mainline without the aid of 66751

Future activities

I understand that Arriva Crosscountry class 170 Turbostar's are due to visit soon for ERTMS trials. 38 of their drivers have been briefed on the line in readiness for this. Also the New Measurement Train HST is making another two-day visit later this month, timings to follow nearer the dates.

66762 & 66728 top and tail ten 'Autoballaster' wagons worked 6G40 on Thursday 11th.

Some more news: GBRf are to modify 66750 to haul the IEP's as well, the loco is currently in the non-standard blue livery of Rush Rail (the continental arm of Beacon Rail Leasing Ltd) but with GBRf branding. It is assigned for a repaint and modification work next week, giving GBRf two dedicated IEP haulage locos.

Very interesting working on Thursday 11th June. GBRf ran a train of ballast from Whitemoor to Old Dalby. I'm assuming this is just in connection with the general upkeep of the line as IEP testing gets into full swing. Full timings here.

3Z10/11 were scheduled to run on Monday 15th with a class 37 & DBSO plus UTU3 in the following revised paths:

3Z10: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U49505/2015/06/15/advanced

3Z11: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U49506/2015/06/15/advanced

The chances of seeing class 31's on these trains is now ever decreasing with 233, 285 & 465 having all failed in service within the last month, two of these with serious wheel defects. The possibility of seeing Colas locomotives on them in the future has been mooted though, with today's news that they have won the infrastructure monitoring work off DB Schenker.

IEP testing on the ECML on weeknights continues in earnest. No testing took place last week but 001 has been in action again week beginning 9th June.
At this moment in time there is no planned IEP testing this week, although 66751 remains at Asfordby on hand should it be required

800001 was successfully hauled onto mainline metals this week and was duly tested over the ECML overnight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Monday's move was cancelled due to paperwork issues. It attained a top speed of 125mile/h between Peterborough and Tallington on the Tuesday night and the plan was to try and reach 140mile/h on the Wednesday but still awaiting confirmation.

The second IEP No:800101 has now arrived on site at Asfordby, the second of two 5-car trains which were built in Japan. The rest will be constructed in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

A Derby - Old Dalby and Old Dalby - Mossend (via Derby) test train is due to run Monday but with the planned strike action by Network Rail I assume this won't now run

Track Recording Unit 950001 is arriving on the evening of 9th March for two days of calibration following a rather extensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul at Derby RTC. It is in a new livery as well as sporting some interesting cab gear. Timings here.

Thursday 3rd's 321 move was booked for privately-owned BR green 47773 on hire to ROG and not 37884. Full timings here.

DRS 37667 worked 3Z10 Monday 29th and 3Z11 on Tuesday 1st with UTU3.

February 2016

Most of  w/c 22nd February's IEP mainline runs did not materialise but finally 800001 was let loose under its own power on Thursday night 3rd March , working 5X08 Old Dalby - Doncaster and then the 5X10 return on Friday. There is a nice video of it passing Oakham on Facebook

A huge wealth of activity this coming week is planned. A second phase of mainline IEP testing is due to take place, timings for this can be found here. Also running is 3Z10, booked for a class 37 & DBSO with UTU3 and scheduled to run on the morning of 29th. This is in the usual early morning path and then returns to the RTC on Tuesday evening 1st March, again timings can be found here.

7X09 was scheduled to run as per normal on Wednesday 2nd March to West Ruislip, the current loco ensemble on these trains are 20132 & 20096 top and tailed with 20107 & 20314. 20901 & 905 are still in the south for SITT (snow clearing train) duties whilst 20118 & 311 are at Barrow Hill undergoing maintenance.

Lastly and most interestingly, Thursday 3rd saw the first ever visit of a class 37/8 to the line when Rail Operations Group (ROG) hauled the second class 321 unit to the line from Ilford. 37884 carries the striking Europhoenix livery (of which the loco is on long term hire from) and has specially modified couplings to allow it to directly couple to units without the need for translator vehicles.

The 321 currently at Asfordby has had its stay extended and is in fact scheduled to leave after the second one has been returned to London.

January 2016

3Z10 ran on Monday 25th with BR green 37057 (D6757) doing the honours but in the later WTT path (0834 off Derby RTC) which was just over an hour late arriving into Melton, then the 3Z11 1628 return.