David Hills
John Tuffs
John Tuffs
Stations
There were three stations on the line in its final form, Egginton Junction, Etwall and Mickleover. Here are a few pictures of test trains at various locations on the line
Egginton Junction and dairy
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On 19th July 1977 the two Hymeks
from Old Dalby (D7076 and D7096) were pictured at Egginton Jcn sidings in the
company of the former Research Division Clayton locomotive. D7076 is now
reserved and based on the East Lancs Railway. David Hills |
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A view of the
beginning of the test track at Egginton junction from the Crewe to Derby
line. Note the chimney of the dairy in the left background and the station
buildings on the right. John Tuffs |
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The 'Mickleover Hypothesis' special heads down the track towards Mickleover past Egginton Junction
station buildings on March 27th 1987 John Tuffs |
Etwall area
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Metro-Cammell prototype
'Sprinter' unit 151 001 is seen here just west of Etwall station being
propelled towards Mickleover by a class 31 loco on 25th February 1985. This
was the beginning of extensive trials at the test
track in an attempt to sort out the transmission problems which beset these
units in their early days. John Tuffs |
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The Eliott track recording car
Lab 20 No: RDB999507 pictured crossing the road from Etwall to Radbourne whilst running a rail tour in
the spring of 1990. Les Nixon |
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This picture of R & DD's
experimental hydraulic drive unit Hydra was taken in August 1984 adjacent to
Etwall station - the original A516 road ran over the bridge in the background.
The new A516 Etwall By-pass now severs the line where the photographer
stood!
Tony Woof |
Mickleover
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On a misty morning in March 1985
151 001 leaves Mickleover on a test run - the author was probably on
board.
John Tuffs |
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The former Elliot track
recording car, now RDB999507 Lab 20, sits next to the loading dock at
Mickleover in July 1985.This vehicle is
preserved - have a look here
for more information and pictures Brian Cottell |
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A splendid view of Mickleover Depot in the early 1980's
showing the ground frame (in the cabin on the right), the running line
(right) and the Long Siding (left).
In the large shed in the distance (right) is the battery railcar 'Gemini' and on the left the Train Control Group's test coach 'Hermes' (now part of the Structure Gauging Train). The wagon outside on the right could be the 'Autowagon'. The base of the original signal box remains on the left and in the background is the GNR station building. The track in this area was later removed and a small wind tunnel for testing scale models was built. This was used to test a model of the prototype APT-E and some of the remains plus the control office still exist today. The contraption on the left of the shed was a metallurgical testing facility for drop-testing components and was later moved to a site opposite the RTC in London Road, Derby. This was mounted over a concrete bed with inset track which is still there today. Colin Marsden |
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The first class 155 DMU stands alongside the train
shed at Mickleover around 1987. Note the Eliott track recording car behind. Chris Ward |
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This was the view in the summer of 1975 looking from the road overbridge on Station Road towards the station. Just glimpsed on the right at the buffer stops are two Class 35 Hymek diesel locos which were formerly at Old Dalby. Fortunately one of them (D7076) has been preserved. The above view no longer exists, the cutting having been filled in up to the bridge in the middle distance, which was in fact an aqueduct |
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The view in February 1974 looking towards the tunnel
just after the track had been lifted. This view no longer exists either, the
cutting having been filled in. There are some pictures of this exercise on the 'remains'
page Marc Koch |
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Lab 15 'Argus' stands next to the miniature
aerodynamic test facility in the mid 1980's Colin Marsden |
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Looking back towards the site - note the Nestle's
factory roof above the cutting on the left and the workshop on the right Colin Marsden |
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Inside the miniature aerodynamic tunnel BR Official |
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And just next to the overbridge was a watering hole called the Great Northern - here it is in the summer of 1975 - and yes it's my motorcycle. |
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An appropriate locomotive adorned the sign in 1975. |
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The Great Northern in September 2004 |
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It has suffered a 'makeover' recently and lost its railway pub sign but still retains the name. Here it is on 21st March 2008 with additional patio doors on the single story extension |
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On 11th April 1976 one of the Hymeks (D7076)
formerly used at Old Dalby sits on the siding adjacent to the former station in
the company of the Clayton. D7076 is now reserved and based on the East Lancashire
Railway. David Hills |
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Following the closure of the line six class 45's
which had been stored at Mickleover were moved to Egginton Jcn. Pictured outside
the original station building at Mickleover on 21st April 1990
Les Nixon |
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Another view of the locos reveals the load measuring
wheel test vehicle 'Decapod' and one of the Train Control Coaches outside the
shed. These were eventually incorporated into the Structure Gauging Train which
is still extant. In the background is a
factory original built by Nestlés
in the early 1960's and later taken
over by Rolls Royce and finally demolished . The site is now occupied by an exclusive housing
development.
S. Graves |
