Serco
Serco
The Track Inspection Coach (TIC)
| Owned by Network Rail but operated by
DB Schenker, the Track
Inspection Coach No: DB999508 was one of a number of similar vehicles purpose
built at Swindon in the early 1960's for the Western Region Civil Engineer's
Department of BR. Following major changes within the Research Division in the late 1980's it was transferred to the DM& EE and then to Railtest. It is normally loco-hauled, in the company of other vehicles for braking purposes, at the rear of a test train. Engineers from Network Rail and the infrastructure maintenance companies ride in the vehicle and can observe the track from either end through panoramic windows. The on-board instrumentation records various track parameters such as rail top, cant gradient, twist and level onto disk and paper and the vehicle has an unusual audible warning system to immediately identify those locations where parameters are exceeded. During 2003 it completed a major upgrade including a new diesel-powered 240v generator, re-furbished B4 bogies and a totally new monitoring and instrumentation system as part of Network Rail's continuing improvement programme. TIC was still going strong until 2010 and operated whenever TRU primarily (or TRC) was not operational. Latterly there had been no planned programmes for the vehicle and it was held as a spare recording vehicle. It used to go out with make-up vehicles to suit and either a pair of DRS 37's or RVEL Class 31's. It was understood to be stripped of components and stored out of use in 2013 but was moved to WSR where it is undergoing restoration in 2018 Photos by the author unless credited |
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Here is TIC in the yard at RTC around
1998 prior to its upgrade having just emerged from the EDU in its new
paint job Serco |
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Here it is at Old Dalby heading
south after a publicity shot in 1998
Serco |
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37611 with TIC in the formation passes Duffield church on 1st May 2008 |
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At Bishops Lydeard on WSR on 10th June 2011 |
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A closer look at the recessed observation windows |