A question for Old Timer or anyone with a bit of Northampton Gen..

[Tin Rocket]

In the early to mid 80s (sorry for being a bit vague),i believe there was a dewirement around church brampton feeder station which brought the neutral section down,i was told (rumour??) that 2 permaquip on track machines,HCT/MK5's,were dispatched to N'pton castle yard but were unable to on-track for what reason i don't know,what happened then was that the foreman/inspector then proceeded around on the A5199 to where the old N'pton M'kt H'boro line met and crossed the A5199 (where the pitsford and brampton railway is today) and with the track still being in situ though unused for donkeys years,on-tracked both machines and ran them up to the mainline around the Mill lane area then crossed over and ran back to church brampton neutral.Is old timer or anyone else able to confirm this?
cheers

 

[Old Timer]

I don't have any knowledge of THAT particular story.

Normally in the 80s the Rugby OHL train would have been used as installing a Neutral is so much easier with a long platform underneath.

I do not recall any trackside access at Mkt Harboro Jct, and indeed I do not recall seeing Permaquips\HCTs in those days either.

Had they been used then it would have been necessary to bring the lorry alongside the track and unload directly to rail, or to a stillage from which it could on-track.

If you REALLY want to find out I can contact a man who would have been there, with a 50/50 chance of being the OHL Supervisor you refer to !

Let me know ?

 

[Tin Rocket]

I don't have any knowledge of THAT particular story.

Normally in the 80s the Rugby OHL train would have been used as installing a Neutral is so much easier with a long platform underneath.

I do not recall any trackside access at Mkt Harboro Jct, and indeed I do not recall seeing Permaquips\HCTs in those days either.

Had they been used then it would have been necessary to bring the lorry alongside the track and unload directly to rail, or to a stillage from which it could on-track.

If you REALLY want to find out I can contact a man who would have been there, with a 50/50 chance of being the OHL Supervisor you refer to !

Let me know ?

Thanks,i would be interested if that piece of track was used just out of curiosity only if its no hassle OT,it does sound a bit far fetched though.
Talking about OHL wiring trains,have you ever heard of an old wiring train which used pantographs at either end coach as earths in an isolated section i assume to carry out maintenance and on completion of the work the inspector forgot to have the pantographs stowed away and then the train was dispatched back to depot with the pantographs still in contact with the contact wire travelling through live sections,apparently it lit up the night sky!!think it might have been up the trent valley somewhere a few year back??

 

[Old Timer]

That has happened a few times over the years at various places.