Old Dalby Test Track

[43066]

I gather the track has been taken out of use due to subsidence. Does anyone have any further details?

 

[mainframe444]

A landslip just north of the Old Dalby station over bridge, on the Up Reversible Line ( the one fitted with 3rd and 4th rails ).

It slipped in the same area some years ago.

Last time I was up there repairs were underway, but it looked quite an involved job.

 

[D365]

From what I’ve been told, this latest landslip is apparently a roadblock for a number of ETCS ”first in class” trials.

 

[Nym]

From what I’ve been told, this latest landslip is apparently a roadblock for a number of ETCS ”first in class” trials.

You mean it’s not trying to fit the equipment to the locomotives…?

 

[D365]

You mean it’s not trying to fit the equipment to the locomotives…?

Note my careful use of words when it comes to FiC related discussions…

 

[Nym]

Well, Network Rail does have two other fully fitted ETCS locations available for testing, with the Heartford Loop also available.

But eggs, basket, one, comes very much to mind on the ETCS implementations when one considers the publicly available knowledge.

 

[Llanigraham]

From what I’ve been told, this latest landslip is apparently a roadblock for a number of ETCS ”first in class” trials.

Which is why some of the proposed testing may/will take place on the Cambrian

Well, Network Rail does have two other fully fitted ETCS locations available for testing, with the Hereford Loop also available.

But eggs, basket, one, comes very much to mind on the ETCS implementations when one considers the publicly available knowledge.

Are you sure you mean "Hereford"?

 

[43066]

A landslip just north of the Old Dalby station over bridge, on the Up Reversible Line ( the one fitted with 3rd and 4th rails ).

It slipped in the same area some years ago.

Last time I was up there repairs were underway, but it looked quite an involved job.

Thanks!

 

[Ian Hardy]

Which is why some of the proposed testing may/will take place on the Cambrian


Are you sure you mean "Hereford"?

Hertford Loop

 

[sharpley]

There's an article in the local rag here in Melton Mowbray today about this landslip, plus a few photos. Repairs to be completed by summer 2024...

'We want to thank local residents for their patience while the work is on-going'

Work has started to make the Old Dalby railway test track safe following a landslip in December.

www.meltontimes.co.uk

Network Rail engineers are removing 17,000 tonnes of soil and other vegetation from the site in preparation for 19,500 tonnes of material to be installed to reconstruct the full embankment.
A new 370-metre drainage system will be put in place to help prevent future landslips at the site, 265 metres of track will be removed and replaced and new overhead line equipment installed.
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Originally used as an operational railway in 1879, the line at Old Dalby was converted into a test site in 1966 with the line forming part of the wider Rail Innovation and Development Centre in Melton.

The 13-mile route, which runs between Melton Mowbray and Edwalton, in Nottinghamshire, is used to test new trains and technology ahead of their use on the operational railway.l

Julia Territt, director of supply chain operations at Network Rail said: “We have a clear programme of work to repair the site of the landslip with an estimated completion date of summer 2024.
“We want to thank local residents for their patience while the work is on-going.”
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Adverse weather conditions and limited access meant work has only recently been able to start at the site of the landslip.

Network Rail say it will futureproof the site using technology which is kinder to neighbours and the environment.
To be considerate to local residents, where possible, engineers will mainly be working during the day and will be using a remotely-controlled solar powered generator to power the site to reduce noise.