Network Rail Class 150 test train 950001 2Q08 1150 York Holgate Siding (Flhh) to Newcastle at Saltburn Monday 13th of January 2025
The New Measurement Train has not tested the Tees Valley Line since october the 20th 2024. Various PLPR trains have carried out measurements every four weeks since then. None of these trains have the capacity to carry out the gauging measurements carried out by the NMT. The Loram operated Class 150, 950001 can make these measurements all be it at lower speed. The following defects are monitored by 950001:
Twist – when two tracks are no longer parallel. When one rail is raised or dropped slightly it can create a tilting movement that could derail a train.
Cyclic top – where a dip in the rail surface causes a wheel to bounce. The rail surface gets worse with every train that passes over it. The bounce can lead to damage elsewhere on the rail, potentially leading to a sequence of dips and a derailment.
Problems with gauge – The 950001 monitors the gauge (width) of the track to prevent it becoming too wide or tight.
950001 was programed to test the Boulby Branch at about 2am on Sunday the 12th of January 2025. This testing will be carried out later in the year.
A report appeared in RAIL Magazine (issue 1024; 11-26 December) where on page 19 they write the following:
NR Class 150 to be withdrawn
Network Rail has confirmed that its two-car Class 150-derivative Infrastructure Monitoring train will be withdrawn and disposed of. The two-car diesel multiple unit (950001) was built as part of the Sprinter production run of the mid-1980s purposely for use as a track monitoring unit. It was new in 1987 with vehicles DB999600/601.
Network Rail Programme Manager Mark Chestney told RAIL: “We plan to replace 950001 with a two-car 153 next year. The 950 is unique, whereas we now have so much more efficient to have a fleet of the same type of trains. Also, the 950 has technology on board that is no longer supported.”
Network Rail Class 150 test train 950001 2Q08 1150 York Holgate Siding (Flhh) to Newcastle at Saltburn Monday 13th of January 2025
The New Measurement Train has not tested the Tees Valley Line since october the 20th 2024. Various PLPR trains have carried out measurements every four weeks since then. None of these trains have the capacity to carry out the gauging measurements carried out by the NMT. The Loram operated Class 150, 950001 can make these measurements all be it at lower speed. The following defects are monitored by 950001:
Twist – when two tracks are no longer parallel. When one rail is raised or dropped slightly it can create a tilting movement that could derail a train.
Cyclic top – where a dip in the rail surface causes a wheel to bounce. The rail surface gets worse with every train that passes over it. The bounce can lead to damage elsewhere on the rail, potentially leading to a sequence of dips and a derailment.
Problems with gauge – The 950001 monitors the gauge (width) of the track to prevent it becoming too wide or tight.
950001 was programed to test the Boulby Branch at about 2am on Sunday the 12th of January 2025. This testing will be carried out later in the year.
A report appeared in RAIL Magazine (issue 1024; 11-26 December) where on page 19 they write the following:
NR Class 150 to be withdrawn
Network Rail has confirmed that its two-car Class 150-derivative Infrastructure Monitoring train will be withdrawn and disposed of. The two-car diesel multiple unit (950001) was built as part of the Sprinter production run of the mid-1980s purposely for use as a track monitoring unit. It was new in 1987 with vehicles DB999600/601.
Network Rail Programme Manager Mark Chestney told RAIL: “We plan to replace 950001 with a two-car 153 next year. The 950 is unique, whereas we now have so much more efficient to have a fleet of the same type of trains. Also, the 950 has technology on board that is no longer supported.”