The Present 2010

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 is expected on 30th July

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

July

A few more pictures of the UTU test train on July 19th - photos as credited

Southbound

37610 thrashing past Widmerpool

Ben Wheeler

37610

37610 at a different location near Plumtree

Neil Booton

Homeward bound

37610 approaching Asfordby on the way to Melton

Ben Wheeler

37611

37611 at the rear of the test train as it propels it towards the Junction

Neil Booton

A few more pictures of the SGT on Monday 12th - courtesy Neil Booton

Outside depot

The SGT at Asfordby

Just arrived

The SGT on the southern chord line with 31602

Back to RTC

31602 heads towards Melton Jcn after the day's testing is completed

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

SSL arrival

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

Inside

Two SSL sets inside Asfordby depot on 18th June

Half a class 172

One car of the class 172 sits alone outside the depot. It will return to Litchurch lane by road on Monday 21st June

Class 20s

20304 and 20302 outside the depot

Class 20s

The other end of the train were 20305 and 20301

Heading off to Derby

20304 leads the formation off the test track - pictured from above the north portal of Asfordby tunnel

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

May

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

31602 31601 heads south at Widmerpool with the test train on 17th May 2010
31454 31454 brings the train round the north curve of the triangle at Asfordby and approaches the depot on 20th May
31601 31601 brings up the rear - the train was turned during its time at the track on 20th May prior to leaving.
Widmerpool 31454 at Widmerpool northbound
31454 31454 with the test train near Old Dalby
MENTOR MENTOR with pantograph raised
Up line 31601 near A46 road bridge on the Up line

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

Asfordby crossing 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
20s galore The four class 20s stabled outside Asfordby depot on 14th May
NR test train Two 31s top'n'tail the TRC test train as it approaches the depot. The train consist included the TRC and MENTOR.
A busy day 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

Nearly there

20142 and 20189 head towards the depot at Asfordby

A bit busy

20189 and 20142 at the depot throat  - note tanker barrier wagon behind and a couple of Serco's 08's

Next stop Neasden

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
On the way 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

ballast drop

66175 at Widmerpool with the ballast working on 28th April

Asfordby

With 66175 leading the train accesses the test track at Asfordby GF

Crossing the A46

66175 heads the train over the A46 bridge and approaches Widmerpool
Ballast drop The operators get stuck in and prepare to drop some ballast just south of Widmerpool

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

66725

GBrF 66725 'Sunderland' approaching Asfordby Tunnel on 20th April with the SSL barrier wagons

Ben Wheeler

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

Overtaking

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

172 001

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

Upper Broughton

At Upper Broughton heading north
Northbound 172001 has just crossed the A46 near Widmerpool heading north in this view
Widmerpool The 172 Turbostar powers north at the former Widmerpool station site - Up platform on left
South Heading south through the old station area
Last run today 172 passes Widmerpool heading for home at Asfordby

March

March 26th - Running as a four car unit this week

Widmerpool

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

Asfordby

Units 001 and 002 depart Asfordby on the bright sunny morning of 26th March 2010

Neil Booton

Coupled Face-to-face at Asfordby on 26th March 2010

Neil Booton

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 class31 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

Widmerpool

The first class 172 Turbostar heads south past Widmerpool on a murky 10th March 2010

Neil Booton

Class 172 On another run by the unit is captured from the observation platform

Neil Booton

back to Asfordby The first proper DMU on the line since the class 180 in 2000

Neil Booton

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.

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

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