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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.
Freshly repainted into Colas Rail colours, 37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016', sits patiently at Warrington Bank Quay with the 3Q85 Derby R.T.C - Crewe C.S via Southport (load five inc motorail coach) on a cold 5th December evening.
With the driver ready to head North on the 3Q85 Derby R.T.C - Crewe C.S via Southport, he switches on the high intensity beam on 'tractor' 37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' before thrashing out of the down slow loop at Warrington Bank Quay on the 5th December.
Colas celebrity 37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' comes to a halt under the iconic York roof with the 1Q64 Derby to Neville Hill test train on the 12th December.
Colas celebrity 37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' rolls into York with the 1Q64 Derby to Neville Hill test train on the 12th December.
37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' stands under the mass of air-conditioned ducting at Manchester Victoria having brought in the 1Q67 Neville Hill circular via Manchester on the 16th December.
37610 'T.S. (Ted) Cassady' sits at Manchester Victoria having brought in the 1Q67 Neville Hill and return test train on the 12th January. Class mate 37602 was on the rear.
BR green celebrity 37057 ticks over at a bitterly cold Southport as the drivers waits for the signal to take the 3Q01 measurement train back to Crewe in the early hours of 13th January.
Now a regular to the North West, GBRf ED 73964 'Jeanette' sits on the blocks at Manchester Piccadilly having brought in the 1Q45 test train from Crewe CS to Derby RTC in the early hours of 21st January.
The driver readies himself in the cab of 73962 'Dick Mabbutt' as he waits for a path out of Manchester Piccadilly en-route to Derby RTC with consist 977983, 5981, 977868 and 6262 in tow.
If rumours are to be believed, it could be days before 37254 loses it's Intercity colours. The 'tractor' looks resplendent at the head of the Carlisle High Wapping to Blackpool 1Q82 test train in freezing conditions at Preston on the 27th January.
Having spent a busy two weeks north of the border, 37254 catches his breath on Preston's platform 7 before making the final stretch of the 1Q83 Blackpool North to Derby RTC on the 28th Jan.
Still clinging on to the Intercity livery, 37254 fills the York roof with wonderful clag as it ticks over at the head of the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Neville Hill on Monday 6th February.
Tractor explosion!! Colas 37254 makes a fine sight as it bellows a plume of clag in to the air on leaving York into the night towards Scarborough on the 6th Feb and leads the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Neville Hill test train.
Still on hire to Colas, large logo liveried 37025 'Inverness TMD' brings up the tail of the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Neville Hill measurement train on the 6th Feb.
Recently out-shopped in the striking Europhoenix livery following it's sale to ROG, 37608 'Andromeda' sits at the sharp end of a Crewe CS to Derby RTC measurement train at Manchester Piccadilly in the early hours of 11th Feb.
Network Rail 43062 'John Armitt' readies himself, and the measurement train, to leave Derby on the 1Q31 to Craigentinny on a bitterly cold Saturday 11th Feb.
At 56yrs old, Network Rail's 31233 is now the sole surviving 'Ped' in service. Seen here at Manchester Oxford Rd, the Loughborough stalwart heads the 1Q14 test train from Longsight to Derby RTC.
Formerly numbered 37100, Network Rail 97301 sits at Manchester Oxford Rd whilst at the sharp end of the 1Q14 Longsight to Derby RTC test train.
Stockport isn't the lightest place to take evening shots but when a 31 is around you have to try your best. Network Rail 31233 awaits a path to continue with the 1Q45 Crewe CS to Derby RTC via Buxton on the 18th Feb.
A welcomed surprise on 1Q45 was 31233 and 97301 replacing the booked 73/9s' following a technical fault on one of the ED's. With this, the A1A made it somewhat easier on the eye despite it's worn appearance.
With some serious clag and tones, 31233 makes a fine departure from Manchester Piccadilly as it heads the 1Q45 Crewe CS to Derby RTC on the 18th Feb.
37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' draws the 1Q83 to a halt at Preston following a busy week north of the border. The working would then head out the way it came with 37175 leading the test train to Derby RTC on the 25th February.
The driver readies 37175 to head the 1Q83 Blackpool North to Derby RTC out of Preston's platform 3 on the 25th February. The driver certainly didn't disappoint as he really gave it the beans leaving the Lancashire station.
The striking Colas livery has now extended to the 'Skips'. Running bang to time, 67027 brings the 1Q13 Heaton to Derby RTC in to Manchester Piccadilly on the 10th April as the orange and yellow livery reflects in an oil pool.
After quickly changing ends, the driver readies 67023 to depart Manchester Piccadilly and on to Derby RTC on the 10th April.
Running bang to time, Colas owned 67027 brings the 1Q13 Heaton to Derby RTC in to Manchester Piccadilly's platform one on the 10th April.
37099 'Merl Evans 1947-2016' creeps slowly through Sherburn-in-Elmet as it heads the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Doncaster West Yard in nice late afternoon sun on Monday 1st May.
Celebrity 'tractor' 37057 brings up the rear of the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Doncaster West Yard test train as it eases through Sherburn-in-Elmet on Monday 1st May.
37057 draws the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Doncaster West Yard test train into York's platform 5 on Monday 1st May.
'Tractor' 37057 erupts out of York in fine style as it sparkles in the evening sun on the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Doncaster West Yard.
Now in the hands of Europhoenix, a sparkling 37611 'Pegasus' ticks over at the head of the 3Q38 Crewe CS to Longsight test train at Manchester Oxford Rd on the 2nd May. For the record, the consist was made up of 1256, 999559, 6260, 999606 and 9714.
37421 draws the 1Q83 Blackpool North to Derby RTC (via many North West routes) to a halt at Preston's former parcels sorting platform on the 16th June.
Still looking and sounding superb, 37025 'Inverness TMD' prepares to leave Preston for the final leg of the 1Q83 were it would return to Derby at 4am on the 17th June having taken in the best part of two weeks north of the border!
GBRf 73961 'Alison' & 73964 'Jeanette' thump through a sun drenched Mobberley as they head a 1Q41 Derby RTC to Crewe CS test train on the 3rd July '17. The train is booked to cover the Merseyrail network before heading back to Derby as 1Q45 on Friday.
Having brought the 1Q44 Crewe CS to Crewe CS test train in to Manchester Oxford Rd, the driver is soon out out of the cab of 73964 'Jeanette' as the working prepares for a crew change before heaving back out west on the 6th July.
GBRf ED 73961 'Alison' sits patiently at Manchester Oxford Rd on the head of the 1Q44 Crewe CS to Crewe CS test train on the 6th July.
Still looking very clean after a recent paint in to the Colas livery, 37254 'Cardiff Canton' brings up the rear of the 3Q92 Crewe CS to Derby RTC measurement train at Ashley on the 4th Aug '17.
Colas owned 67023 'Stella' leads the 1Z01 High Marnham to Derby RTC test train through Toton on the 18th August '17. 67027 'Charlotte' brought up the rear of the working.
Stepping in for the yellow banana, 67023 'Stella' ticks over in the crisp Stockport air as the driver readies himself to switch ends and take out 1Q18 Crewe CS to Derby RTC towards Buxton on the 24th Nov '17.
Having swapped ends, the driver of 67027 'Charlotte' waits for the path to lead 1Q18 Crewe CS to Derby RTC towards Buxton on the 24th Nov '17.
37116 fills the the magnificent York roof with diesel fumes as the driver waits for a path to take the 1Q64 Derby RTC to Neville Hill test train on to Scarborough. Moments later, the 'tractor' shattered the silence as it erupted out of the station.
Celebrity tractor 37057 shows off the BR Green livery well as it brings the 1Q64 measurement train back through York and onto Neville Hill on the 8th Jan '18.
The stylish Europhoenix liveried 37611 'Pegasus' ticks over in the sub zero surroundings of Preston station as the driver readies himself to draw the EE out on the 3Q26 Derby RTC to Longsight on the 6th Feb'18.
In beautiful afternoon sun, 67023 'Stella' rips through Ladybridge whilst leading the 1Q90 Derby RTC to Carnforth measurement train with classmate 67027 'Charlotte' swinging off the rear on the 27th Feb '18.
37421 roars alongside Morcambe Bay at Grange-Over-Sands as it leads the 1Q18 Derby RTC to Carlisle test train with 37116 bringing up the rear. Pic taken in baking conditions on the 3rd July '18.
Now somewhat regulars on this working, 73965 leads the 1Q41 Derby RTC to Crewe CS through a sun drenched Mobberley on the 2nd July '18 with classmate 73961 'Alison' on the rear.
After working in to Croes Newydd North Fork, 73961 'Alison' thumps through Shotwick and on to Bidston before working on to the Merseyrail on the 2nd and 3rd July '18.
The driver prepares to set sail on the last leg of the 1Q83 Blackpool North - Derby RTC from the RES platform at Preston on the 16th June'18.
Recently released back in to service, Colas heavyweight 37521 draws the 1Q83 Blackpool North - Derby RTC to a halt on Preston's RES platform a little after midnight on the 16th June '18.
Former DRS owned, plain blue 37607 growls through Ashley as it trails the 3Q92 Crewe CS to Crewe CS circular on the 10th Aug '18.
37521 idles in the cold air at Manchester Oxford Rd as the 'tractor' prepares to lead the 1Q44 Crewe CS to Crewe CS on the 25th October '18. Classmate 37175 trailed the test train.
37218 really opens up at Winwick as the 'tractor' hammers north on the late running 1Z47 Derby RTC to Carlisle test train with 37038 on the rear. Taken on a glorious 14th May '19.
43062 & 43012 power the 1Q13 Heaton to York measurement train through Long Preston on the 13th May ‘19.
37610 growls past Lower Fenton as it leads the 1Z64 Derby RTC to Neville Hill test train on the 1st July '19. Classmate 37057 brought up the rear of the colorful working.
73951 'Malcolm Brinded' leads the 1Q41 Derby RTC to Crewe CS test train through a sunny Mobberley with classmate 73952 'Janis Kong' trailing.
37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’. 1Q83 at Settle Jct.
37407 'Blackpool Tower' & 37419 'Carl Haviland'. 1Q47 at Flookburgh.
37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’. 3Q26 at Rowton.
37421 & 37118. 1Z83 at Hellifield.
97303. 1Q44 at Manchester Oxford Rd.
37240. 1Q44 at Manchester Oxford Rd.
43277 ‘Safety Task Force’ and 43290. 1Q26 Derby RTC to Edinburgh at Red Bank.
37116 and 37099 ‘Merl Evans’. 1Q83 at Hellifield.
37116 and 37099 ‘Merl Evans’. 1Q83 at Hellifield.
73965 ‘Des O'Brien’ and 73963 ‘Janice’. 1Q42 Buxton URS to Croes Newydd North Fork at Mobberley.
37607 and 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’. 1Q62 Gascoigne Wood to Scarborough at Little Fenton.
37175 and 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’. 1Q41 1311 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Chester Middle Yard at Mobberley.