LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2017

Just arrived at Hellifield, 45L.

 

Oh Yea, must have stopped a while some where, tooted RA at 11.48, here it passes old Midland shed at Carnforth:-

 

Would say, that's a shiny coat of black paint!!!

 

She is on her way back now, left Hellifield 4 late. Livery looks no altered from previously, looks like they are running her in very gently.

 

SR MN Class 4-6-2 No. 35018 'British India Line' / 'Bodmin' name plate certainly not taking it easy as it gallops passed Starricks Farm during its LE move

 

Bil at Clapham and Low Kettlesbeck:

 

What are they feeding her? It looks like they have been using cocoa going by the stains around the exhaust.
Nice to see her at speed and almost recreating this picture:

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Cracking shot Shep but to many trees lol

 

Deliberate ploy by Shep, so that the reflection of the trees on the loco make it appear to be green.

 

Clever man lol

 

LE moves for Clan Line. Thursday 29th June. 2101 Crewe to Didcot 0157 (Fri). Friday 30th June 1119 Didcot to Stew Lane 1337 via Acton, RL all the way. Looking good if a little tight for its first run on 5th July.

 

RTT showing 5M50 due to run on Thu 29/06. Loaded test run through Blackburn for BIL?

 

When 45699 was running in it took a short set round the circuit prior to the full loaded test run some time later. This may be similar or the full one?
Is 5M50 reserved every day as a standing path to be activated as required?

 

Although a path has been reserved for 29/06 it has NOT been activated.

There are 2 situations that will apply to test trains. The first is a booked path such as the stock moves between Southall and Carnforth; as regular operations these will be retained within the system and operated as required. The second is a path which is known by having been operated previously, is applied for when needed and input to the system. For both sets of schedules they MUST be activated prior to use - which usually occurs on the day that the train is operated once the decision has been taken to run.

Hence in the case of 5M50 WCRC has booked a path for the test train to run on 29/06/17 and Network Rail has confirmed that booking by entering the path into the system; it will need to be activated before the train can be operated hence the need to check RTT on the day.

 

This is also my understanding of the process. Typically, the reservation happens 2-3 days before the intended run and activation around 6 am on the morning of the run. Until RTT shows something leaving Carnforth (or a post from someone at Carnforth) it could still be, and has been, cancelled. Similarly, even after reaching Hellifield loop, test trains have returned directly to Carnforth rather than completing the full test route. I usually monitor RTT for the train to leave Hellifield before leaving home to see it on Wilpshire bank.

 

There are2 paths
5M50 is for the full circuit
5M51 is Hellifield and back

These are always showing Mon to Fri

 

Both 5M50 and 5M51 now show up as CAN on 29/6.

Settle Jn
CAN pass Carnforth Steamtown 5M51 WR Carnforth Steamtown 1303
CAN pass Carnforth Steamtown 5M50 WR Carnforth Steamtown 1303

Both trains are "Q" pathways which means they have to be bid to operate on a specified date. ( By 1000 at least 48 hours before operation, then the cancellation or operation will appear on RTT and internal systems like TRUST at least 24 hours before operation.) One flagged to run they will be "auto called " on TOPS/TRUST normally 2 hours before the starting time. The cancellation makes sense as WCRC Carnforth will have crews on the Carnforth - Scarborough out and back and associated loco & PO Brake movements and 5Z44 ECS to Saltburn.

It's definitely good practice to cancel "Q" workings which are not required. It shows all other user of the network that the schedule is definitely not required which makes late notice engineering access (GZAC) and service alterations by control that little bit easier.

Cheers, Neil

 

35028 'Clan Line' at Hargreave and Chester Racecourse on her loaded mainline test 28.6.17

 

Footage of 35028 flying past a dull Beeston this evening.