New Trains and Testing.

[Dai.]

Heya, I am still a novice in the rail world and I'm getting to grips with trains classes and depots.

But I have a few questions about a few things that have bugged me.

I thank you all for reading and trying to answer the questions.

1. Where can you find information about new trains coming to the UK? (Are there conventions or expo's?)

2. Where are new trains tested? I assume they are tested on UK Lines, If not, why?

3. Why would a train not go into commercial use or not be produced?

 

[142094]

In answer to number two, although I don't know all of the details, the Javelins were tested on HS1 before they came into public use.

The current Metrocars on the TW Metro were tested at a purpose built track in North Shields (Percy Main actually if people know the area), and it was also used to test stock for Hong Kong. The test track is now part of the Stephenson Railway Museum.

 

[ainsworth74]

Further for number two, the Old Dalby Test Track was used by BR to test quite a number of different trains (APT for instance) and is still in use today for the 172s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Dalby_Test_Track

 

[jamesontheroad]

This is an excellent site about the Old Dalby site and activities past and present: http://www.old-dalby.com/ For future stock under order or in construction, try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Future_British_rail_vehicles

 

[the sniper]

2. Where are new trains tested? I assume they are tested on UK Lines, If not, why?

Trains assembled in the UK are normally initially tested on the Old Dalby test track, the Pendolino's were tested there and more recently London Overground's Class 172's and London Underground's new S Stock were tested there too. This is a great site for information on Old Dalby: http://www.old-dalby.com/

Siemens Desiro's (Class' 185, 350, 360, 380, 444 and 450) built in Germany are tested on a purpose built facility near Wildenrath, Germany. It was built on an old RAF airfield. There's some info here and here.

After initial testing, they're allowed to be tested on the main network.

(Sorry I've just repeated what is said above, I forgot to submit this post 30 minutes ago! I only noticed this post wasn't sent when I just came back to the computer... )

 

[Dai.]

Siemens Desiro's (Class' 185, 350, 360, 380, 444 and 450) built in Germany are tested on a purpose built facility near Wildenrath, Germany. It was built on an old RAF airfield. There's some info here and here.

You can see this test track on the google map, thanks!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Wil...51.115754,6.220837&spn=0.029365,0.084543&z=14

 

[the sniper]

You can see this test track on the google map, thanks!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Wil...51.115754,6.220837&spn=0.029365,0.084543&z=14

Indeed, your welcome.

 

[starrymarkb]

There are european expos - eg Innotrans in Berlin, but nothing in the UK.

For Procurment a company will publish an advert in the Offical Journal of the European Union to invite tenders for the supply of stock. Interested parties will receive the specification. This will set out what the company wants from the stock. (ie It is essential that the train can do 100mph, it is essential that it meets UK regulations, it is desirable that the train can self diagnose faults etc). Manufacturers then reply with a price and how much of the spec they can meet. The Train co then balances compliance with price and places an order accordingly

With IEP it was rumoured that the Bombardier/Siemens design was compliant with the DaFTs ludicrous specification but would have cost a bomb. The Hitachi was much less compliant but considerabley cheaper as well. DaFT went for cheaper...

 

[The_Stig]

The new 380's will be test run at the Siemens test track that was mentioned earlier. They will then be brought over here where they will be given some testing with our infrastructure. This is to try and avoid any of the problems that cropped up during the introduction of the 334's.

The 380's will actually end up being put into service with an estimated 10,000 miles on their clock. Talk about German efficiency!

 

[Pumbaa]

The new 380's will be test run at the Siemens test track that was mentioned earlier. They will then be brought over here where they will be given some testing with our infrastructure. This is to try and avoid any of the problems that cropped up during the introduction of the 334's.

The 380's will actually end up being put into service with an estimated 10,000 miles on their clock. Talk about German efficiency!

True. All new Siemens here with exception of 332/333 have done rigourous testing at Wildenrath. Still hasn't stopped them having problems. 350/2s are being outperformed by nearly everything else.

Mind you, I suspect thats merely down to LMs shoddy operation, meaning Siemens get to see each train about once a year at Northampton...