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Test Trains

by British Rail

A compilation of the Yellow Train

91 photos · 54 views
Colas liveried 37421 brings up the rear of the 3Q68 Euston to Derby RTC as the test train nears it's destination at Stenson Jn on 2nd Feb.
37602 erupts through the recently rebuilt Farnworth station whilst heading the 3Z02 Carlisle High Wapping Sidings to Longsight with 37610 bringing up the rear on Friday 17th June.
With little interest on the line, I opted to head to Farnworth and take a shot of the completed tunnel project. 37610 "T.S. (Ted) Cassidy 14.5.61-6.4.08" is seen here entering the new tunnel with the former single track northbound portal to the right.
37610 "T.S. (Ted) Cassidy 14.5.61 - 6.4.08" brings up the rear as it passes through Lostock and the Bolton Municipal Golf Course on the 17th June.
37602 thrashes the 3Z02 Carlisle High Wapping Sidings to Longsight through Lostock with classmate 37610 bringing up the rear on Friday 17th June. The Macron Stadium can be seen in the upper right corner of the shot.
Having flashed their Southern Region passports to security, GBRfs' 73962 and 73963 roll into Warrington Bank Quay on the 3Q02 Crewe CS to Derby RTC (via Merseyside) before roaring off into the 12th May night without the booked stop.
The 1Q26 Derby RTC to Edinburgh slams north through Red Bank on a glorious 16th August morning with 43013 leading 43062 in charge of the measurement train. Fiddlers Ferry PS dominates the skyline as it awaits it's next 'feed' of Yorkshire coal from Ferryb
A glint of red from the tail lights of an idling class 323 EMU shine off the cab of 68005 'Defiant' as it rolls the 1Q13 Mentor test train into platform 1 at Manchester Piccadilly on Monday 1st August.
With the test train ready to leave the Manchester terminus for Derby RTC, the DRS driver lets out an inch of rein from the Cat engine on 68022 'Resolution' as it purrs off into the dark North West skies.
The 1Q26, Derby RTC to Edinburgh, hammers north in the morning sun at Red Bank with 43013 leading the train whilst 43014 brings up the rear on the 19th July.
With the DBSO carefully picking it's way through the lengthening shadows, Colas tractor 37219 brings up the rear of the 3Z02 Derby to Carlisle test train in fine style at Euxton.
Celebrity 'tractor', 37025 'Inverness T.M.D' slows to a halt at Manchester Victoria having brought in the 1Q67 Neville Hill to Neville Hill test train on Thursday 22nd Sept. Classmate, 37116 was at the rear.
Celebrity 'tractor', 37025 'Inverness T.M.D' slows to a halt and emits wonderful clag at Manchester Victoria having brought in the 1Q67 Neville Hill to Neville Hill test train on Thursday 22nd Sept. Classmate, 37116 was at the rear.
The 1Q44 18:44 Crewe C.S and return produced ED traction at Manchester Oxford Rd on the 29th Sept. GBRf owned 73963 'Janice' heads the working with 73962 'Dick Mabbett' bringing up the rear.
As we say in Bolton.....t'other end! 73962 'Dick Mabbett' ticks over at Manchester Oxford Rd on the rear of the on-time 1Q44 18:44 Crewe C.S and return on Thursday 29th September.
It was a case of no messing around for 1Q45 having arrived at Stockport 32 late with 73963 'Janice' leading. The cab lights were immediately off, red tail lights on and back out with 73962 'Dick Mabbutt' taking it on towards Buxton.
Celebrity 'tractor' 37057 brings the 3Q22 test train from Longsight in to Blackburn late on the 6th Oct. Unfortunately, the driver didn't play ball and brought the train to rest in the darkness much to the delight (not!) of Ross Taylor and Paul Manley.
Europhoenix 37608 'hired in' to Colas for test train work comes to a halt under the Manchester Victoria roof having worked the 1Q67 from Neville Hill to Neville Hill on the 20th Oct.
Having brought up the rear of the 1Q67 Neville Hill test train, the driver quickly prepares 37611 to head back east from Manchester Victoria on the 20th Oct.
A stranger in the camp. GBRf ED 73965 brings the 1Q44 Crewe CS to Crewe CS slowly to a halt at Bolton Trinity Street in the unearthly hours of the 28th Oct.
A quick dash to take a shot from Trinity Street of 73963 'Janice' as the driver awaits the green light to depart Bolton and continue 1Q44 around the North West in the early hours of the 28th Oct.
I was somewhat fortunate to capture the welcome sight of large logo beast 37025 'Inverness TMD' in full sun as it took charge of the 1Q10 Mossend Yard to Derby RTC through Red Bank on Monday 5th Sept. Colas liveried classmate 37116 brought up the rear.
In dramatic late sun, the 1Q17 Derby to Heaton HST measurement train returns south through Ribblehead on the 26th November. The power cars were 43014 'The Railway Observer' (leading) and 43062 'John Armit' on the rear.
After a quick change of ends, the driver readies 97301 to continue 1Q06 from Bolton and take the Blackburn branch on the 1st December.