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

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

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

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

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

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

	20142 and 20189 head towards the depot at Asfordby
	20189 and 20142 at the depot throat  - note tanker barrier wagon behind and a couple of Serco's 08's
	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
	20905 and sister loco bring up the rear of the transit move to Neasden at Asfordby GF

April

	66175 at Widmerpool with the ballast working on 28th April
	With 66175 leading the train accesses the test track at Asfordby GF
	66175 heads the train over the A46 bridge and approaches Widmerpool
	The operators get stuck in and prepare to drop some ballast just south of Widmerpool

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

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

March

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

Another class 172 arrived on 18th March - both units running week ending 27th March as a 4-car

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

	The first class 172 Turbostar heads south past Widmerpool on a murky 10th March 2010 Neil Booton
	On another run by the unit is captured from the observation platform Neil Booton
	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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