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Network Rail yellow HST?

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Parallel

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Whilst waiting at Bath Spa station today for the 20:36 Portsmouth Harbour service, about 5 to 10 minutes before it arrived, a yellow train that looked much like one of FGW's class 43s went zooming past the platform, except it was in yellow livery and had "Network Rail" on the coaches, some coaches were lit and had mark 3 carriage seating, but didn't seem to be carrying passengers. Does anyone know what this train is for and why it has standard mark 3 rolling stock seating?

Thanks!

Apologies if there's a thread elsewhere, I've had a look and can't find one!
 
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Skarpur

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That will be the new measurement train, goes all round the country measuring track condition and things like that.
 
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Parallel

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Ahh, thanks for the replies! I see it runs on routes where HSTs operate - Maybe that explains why I haven't seen it before as HSTs don't usually use the routes I frequently travel!
 
DarloRich

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Parallel said:
Ahh, thanks for the replies! I see it runs on routes where HSTs operate - Maybe that explains why I haven't seen it before as HSTs don't usually use the routes I frequently travel!
Click to expand...

it runs on lots of routes on a cyclic basis. For instance on Tuesday it ran Derby to Crewe via Northampton & Euston
 
CallySleeper

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It used to run to a two-week timetable i.e. it would cover a certain line at least once every two weeks but I think that's changed in the last few years.
 
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455driver

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Its a 4 weekly cycle now but some routes are visited twice in that 4 weeks.

I take it it will be off to Plymouth in the morning then!
 
CallySleeper

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Cardiff and Milford Haven I believe.

e: though probably not

Does it still do Derby - Heaton on a Saturday morning?
 
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KA4C

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455driver said:
Its a 4 weekly cycle now but some routes are visited twice in that 4 weeks.

I take it it will be off to Plymouth in the morning then!
Click to expand...

Nope, wrong cycle, it went Pad, Swansea, Brizzle PW and back to RTC today
 
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Boodiggy

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The NMT will run on all 'high speed' lines at frequencies particular to that line. Where I work on the west coast we have two weekly runs, but this is on the fast lines and slow lines so we have a weekly run. Other areas will not have the same frequency due to lower tonnage and line speed. In other areas the TRU/ TRC / TIC will run as well as ultrasonic test trains, radio survey trains and OHL test trains as well as many others. It runs to a set route and missed sections means contingency plans need to be in place. It also has the PLPR (plain line pattern recognition) system that is a basic visual inspection of the track checking clips are in place any dips or rail defects, high or low ballast and many other items as well as checking all track geometry parameters including twist, top and alignment over 35m & 70m, dip angles, gauge, cross level, curvature and cant deficiency. It also has an HD camera on both power cars and the footage can be used by staff at depots for various things. The mk3 coaches include a conference car, development car, the recording equipment and plenty of storage for all the information collected.
 
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WatcherZero

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Saw it in Manchester Piccadilly a couple of days ago, pulled into one of the bays then about 10 minutes later pulled out again scanning the Overhead.
 
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Moonshot

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WatcherZero said:
Saw it in Manchester Piccadilly a couple of days ago, pulled into one of the bays then about 10 minutes later pulled out again scanning the Overhead.
Click to expand...

It actually passed through Wilmslow whilst I was on the platform.....
 
Teaboy1

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WatcherZero said:
Saw it in Manchester Piccadilly a couple of days ago, pulled into one of the bays then about 10 minutes later pulled out again scanning the Overhead.
Click to expand...

I concure, passed it at Stockport approx 11h00 9 Jan on way to Man Air via TPE . They look nice comfy 1st class seating in there!! Perks of the job one suposes!;)
 
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ffm

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For 'high speed lines' read main lines. It traverses the Settle and Carlisle, for example.
 
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STEVIEBOY1

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I have seen this in the past few months running along the SWT Shepperton Branch and also in the bay platform at Kingston upon Thames Station.
 
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edwin_m

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STEVIEBOY1 said:
I have seen this in the past few months running along the SWT Shepperton Branch and also in the bay platform at Kingston upon Thames Station.
Click to expand...

Was this the NMT or one of the other infrastructure assessment trains? I had the impression NMT didn't visit the Southern much, due to HSTs being barred from many routes, a lower-speed train being easily timetabled, and lack of OLE meaning that capability isn't necessary. Hence it concentrates on the routes where a 125mph capability makes it easier to timetable and often where there is OLE to be monitored as well as track.
 
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Bigfoot

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edwin_m said:
Was this the NMT or one of the other infrastructure assessment trains? I had the impression NMT didn't visit the Southern much, due to HSTs being barred from many routes, a lower-speed train being easily timetabled, and lack of OLE meaning that capability isn't necessary. Hence it concentrates on the routes where a 125mph capability makes it easier to timetable and often where there is OLE to be monitored as well as track.
Click to expand...

It's big and yellow but it's not the NMT. At a glance it could be easily confused but having stood in the cess as it passes I had a pretty good look! ;)
 
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STEVIEBOY1

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edwin_m said:
Was this the NMT or one of the other infrastructure assessment trains? I had the impression NMT didn't visit the Southern much, due to HSTs being barred from many routes, a lower-speed train being easily timetabled, and lack of OLE meaning that capability isn't necessary. Hence it concentrates on the routes where a 125mph capability makes it easier to timetable and often where there is OLE to be monitored as well as track.
Click to expand...


You may be correct, I only got a very quick glimpse of it.
 
MK Tom

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It was on the ECML on Monday. The second I arrived at Biggleswade it shot past me heading for London, about midday.
 
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