ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY

ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY.
Compiled by Mick House.

Network Rail Measurement Train Rolling Stock (part 3). By Mick House.

We see a number of Network Rail Measurement Trains visit our area over the years and predominantly the photos that have been taken are of the Locomotives that bring the trains down, but what of the rolling stock that is within the train! Most of the vehicles you see are ex passenger carrying coaches or vehicles that have been used for other railway duties. I have put together a selection of these vehicles as I feel they do not get enough recognition. Words & photos by Mick House.

977868 Radio Survey Test Train Coach. Formally Mk 2E Tourist Open Second (TSO) 5846 built at BREL Derby. At Penzance 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

977868 Radio Survey Test Train Coach at Gwinear Road 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

977969 Network Rail staff and generator coach. Formally Mk 2B Corridor Brake First (BFK) 14112 / 2906, built at BREL Derby. At Penzance 30/06/2017. Copyright Mick House.

977969 Network Rail staff and generator coach at Penzance 16/01/2019. Copyright Mick House.

977983 Electrification Measurement Vehicle. Formally Mk 2F Open First (FO) 72503 / 3407 built at BREL Derby. At Penzance 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

977983 Electrification Measurement Vehicle at Gwinear Road 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

977985 Structure Gauging Train Support coach. Formally 72715 / 6019 built at BREL Derby, later converted at BREL Derby to Class 488/3 formed as a 3 car set 488316 for work in the Gatwick Express. At Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

977985 Structure Gauging Train Support coach at Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

977986 Structure Gauging Train Support coach (brake force runner). Formally 99664 / 3189 / 6231 Mk 2D Open First (FO) built at BREL Derby. At Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

977986 Structure Gauging Train Support coach at Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

Part 2 of Network Rail Measurement Train
Rolling Stock. By Mick House.

62384 Ultrasonic Test Train coach. Formally Motor Brake Second Open (MBSO) coach and part of a British Rail Southern Region Class 421 3rd rail Electric Multiple Unit built at York Works. At Penzance 22/02/2017. Copyright Mick House.

62384. At Penzance 07/08/2019. Copyright Mick House.

72630 Structure Gauging Train Support coach. Formally Mk 2F Tourist Standard Open (TSO) 6094 built at BREL Derby, later converted at BREL Derby to Class 488/3 formed as a 3 car set 488316 for work in the Gatwick Express. At Penzance 22/02/2017. Copyright Mick House.

72630. At Penzance 07/08/2019. Copyright Mick House.

72631 Plain Line Pattern Recognition vehicle. Formally Mk 2f Tourist Standard Open (TSO) 6094 built at BREL Derby, later converted at BREL Derby to Class 488/3 formed as a 3 car set 488316 for work in the Gatwick Express. At Scorrier 05/07/2019. Copyright Mick House.

72631, at Redruth 05/07/2019. Copyright Mick House.

99666 Structure Gauging Train Support coach/brake force runner. Formally Mk 2E Open First (FO) 3250 built BREL Derby. At Penzance 22/02/2017. Copyright Mick House.

99666 at Penzance 07/08/2019. Copyright Mick House.

975091 Overhead Line Maintenance (OHLM) Test coach. Formerly Mk1 BSK Coach 34615 built by Gloucester RCW, rebuilt BREL Swindon as Test Car 3 "Mentor" (Mobile Electrical Network Testing, Observation and Recording). At Penzance 30/06/2017. Copyright Mick House.

975091 at Penzance 30/06/2017. Copyright Mick House.

Network Rail Measurement Train Rolling Stock (part 1). By Mick House.

5981 Plain Line Pattern Recognition vehicle "PLPR2" Formerly BR TSO Mk.2f Open Second coach, Built by BREL at Derby, At Penzance 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

5981 at Penzance 21/05/2015. Copyright Mick House.

6264 AXA Network Rail Generator van, Formerly Mark 1 BG (Full brake) 80971 Built by Pressed Steel Ltd, Linwood (Scotland), subsequently re-bogied, converted to Air Brakes and re-numbered 92923. At Penzance 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

6264 AXA. At Gwinear Road 25/10/2019. Copyright Mick House.

9523 Network Rail brake force runner. Formerly Mk2F BSO built by BREL Derby. At Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

9523. At Scorrier 05/07/2019. Copyright Mick House.

9701 Network Rail, remote train operating vehicle. Formerly Mk2F BSO built by BREL Derby, re-built by BREL Glasgow to Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO). At Penzance 16/01/2019. Copyright Mick House.

9701 at Penzance 16/05/2018. Copyright Mick House.

9714 Network Rail, remote train operating vehicle. Formerly Mk2F BSO built by BREL Derby, re-built by BREL Glasgow to Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO). At Penzance 07/08/2019. Copyright Mick House.

9714. At Penzance 22/02/2017. Copyright Mick House.

Mobile Flash Butt Welder
By Mick House.
This article was first published in our winter 2012 Magazine.
Extra photos have been added to this article.

Another trip to Truro yard, and we have a Flash Butt Welder (take those thoughts right out of your head this is a clean magazine).
ATMW 751 All Terrain Mobile Flash Butt Welder (picture 01) developed, operated and run by Future Welding Limited (UK) is a Doosan Solar DX160W wheeled excavator machine fitted with Philmor Rail (UK) rail guidance (picture 02) and Holland K-922 welding head and Deutz rear-mounted power pack and Generator.
The DX160W wheeled excavator machine with Double cab. It has a Doosan DL06 “Common rail” 6-cylinder direct fuel injection electronic controlled diesel engine, it is water cooled, and turbo charged with air-to-air intercooler and is 128 HP at 2200 RPM with a travel speed 10 - 37 km/h (6 – 23 mph), Operating Weight is 15,300 kg (32,408 lb) without the welder and power pack.
Rail guidance is by rail wheels mounted on axles with hydraulically operated rams that engage the wheels on to the track when the machine is in position over the rails, when in position the rams are locked.
The welder (picture 03) has a working voltage: 380 to 480 volt ± 10%. Primary current: 540 amps, welding current: 30,000 amps, working pressure in hydraulic system: 207 bar (3000 psi). clamping force: 320 Tons (290 metric tons) this is the force used to grip the two rail to be welded, upset / pull force: 132 Tons (120 metric tons) this is the pull exerted on the two rails to bring them together for welding, welding / pulling stroke: 150 mm (5.9 inches) and a weight: 3100 kg (6,834lbs). The welder also has a Paton Pulse process allowing for shorter weld time, less welding material, less surface area of heat and 90% fewer defects in the finished weld giving a uniform hardness.
The rear-mounted power pack and Generator is a Deutz V6 diesel engine 322 – 670 hp at 1900 - 2100 rpm with Marathon Electric Magnaplus Generator.
The machine is able to operate in a 360 degrees radius with a reach of 5.91m (19ft 4in) from its centre on or off rail. It is also able to work under live overhead line equipment and can perform up to 12 welds per hour.
Words & Photos By Mick House.

The Fugro`s, Rila and Rail-Map solutions.
Words and photos by Mick House.

Network Rail had awarded RailData a subsidiary of Fugro a contract for survey and design works to support its High Output Track Renewal Programme for 2016-17.
Fugro is a company based at Leidschendam in the Netherlands. They have developed and are the world’s largest integrator of geotechnical, survey, subsea and geosciences services. Among they’re various systems RailData has Rila; this is for use in railway application. RailData will apply its train-mounted Rila system to deliver highly accurate rail infrastructure information with additional ground survey services provided by UK-based Severn Partnership. This approach will enable a phased and controlled transfer from conventional survey methods to advanced train-mounted systems to deliver the information critical to track renewal schemes and will deliver significant health and safety benefits to Network Rail by greatly reducing the requirement for survey personnel to be on or near the track during the collection of survey data and also allowing trains to run safely on adjacent lines, minimising disruption to services.
This system can record and take in data at a speed of 160kph (99.4mph). The system is a portable platform that can be mounted on the front or rear of a locomotive or train its only requirements are a power supply and laptop connection. The system is mounted on the buffers of the train/loco with clamps and a safety wire to the draw/gedge hook and can be installed by two men in a matter of minuets; they also travel with the system to record and monitor it via the laptop. The system has two GPS navigation pods mounted on top, a laser array at the bottom, and a six head camera in the middle, just below that are two 3D giros.

The Fugro’s, Rila system at the time the photos were taken, was travelling through Cornwall, mounted on a Colas class 70 810 and Class 66 850 (David Maidment OBE), I have also photographed it on Colas 66 847.

70 810 approaching Penzance. Copyright Mick House.

1) 66850 (David Maidment OBE) approaching Wheal Busy crossing with Rila system on the front. Copyright Mick house.

2) Rila system on the front of 70 810. Copyright Mick House.

3) Buffer fixing plate (left). Copyright Mick House.

4) Buffer fixing plate (right). Copyright Mick House.

5) Safety wire from buffer fixing plate to draw/gedge hook. Copyright Mick House.

6) Two GPS pods. Copyright Mick House.

7) Six head camera. Copyright Mick House.

8) 3D giro. Copyright Mick House.

9) Laser array. Copyright Mick House.

10) Two cables from the Rila system, for the power supply and laptop connection, run into the cab. Copyright Mick House.

11) Rila system at the rear of 70 810. Copyright Mick House.

Track Recording Train 950001 in Truro Yard part 2, a detailed look at the train this may be of interest to those of you that may wish to model this two car unit.
By Mick House.

Since our last look at this train it has had a paint job and some extra decalls with new logos added to give it a new look.
The unit is fitted with two Cummins NT855-R5 diesel engines rated at 285 Horse Power and with Voith transmission.
All words, photo and inserts by Mick House with
some additional internal photos by Alan Peters.

Track Recording Unit 950001 basking in the sun at Truro having arrived from Laira T. & R.S.M.D. (departing 03.16am right time) at 09.45 (107 minuets early) on 4th May 2016. Copyright Mick House.

Coach specifications. Copyright Mick House.

Shows decals with new logo. Copyright Mick House.

Inside 999600 is the equipment for all track recording operations, showing the array of monitors - Copyright Alan Peters.

Inside 999601 is living accommodation, this being a kitchen & dining area – Copyright Alan Peters.

950001 with leading bogie detail on coach 999600. Copyright Mick House.

Laser warning decals. Copyright Mick House.

Railhead sensor. Copyright Mick House.

Front of coach 999600 showing the location of Cameras. Copyright Mick House.

Centre windscreen cameras. Copyright Mick House.

Front mid-body camera. Copyright Mick House.

Snow plough cameras. Copyright Mick House.

Seven high intensity white LED clusters one centred above the windows two below the outer windows and three at sole-bar level and above ploughs. Copyright Mick House.

Network Rail HST. By Mick House.

As one of the most travelled HSTs the Network rail measurement train is a common site around the country and we in Cornwall get our fair share if it down here. The train formation is two power cars and fire Mark 3 coaches all in the bright yellow livery. Three power cars are available 43 013/014 & 062; all have been up rated with Paxman Valenta engines. Photos were taken at Wheal Bois foot crossing to the east of Redruth, between Treleigh and Mount Ambrose and Penzance. Words and photos by Mick House.

Power car 43 062 (John Armitt), bring up the rear of the train as it heads towards Penzance. Copyright Mick House.

43 014 (The Railway Observer) Power car. Copyright Mick House.

975984 Generator/messing coach. Copyright Mick House.

977994 Track recording coach. Copyright Mick House.

977993 Overhead line equipment test coach. Copyright Mick House.

5975814 Track recording coach. Copyright Mick House.

977984 Generator/staff coach. Copyright Mick House.

43 062 (John Armitt) Power car. Copyright Mick House.

43 013 Power car. Copyright Mick House.

Colas Tamper DR73920 and class 153s.
By Mick House.

Colas DR73920 arrived in Truro yard today (28/03/2018) from Tavistock Junction.

Closeup of DR73920. Copyright Mick House.

Closeup of DR73920 Copyright Mick House.

C2103 Martin Elwood visits Truro.
By Mick House.

Network Rails Loram rail grinder, C2103 Martin Elwood arrived in Truro yesterday (13/01/2018) having departed Tavistock Junction at 00.17 in the morning. This is not the first time that this machine has visited Cornwall; she was around on the 21st January 2015 having visited Penzance and being stabled at St Blazey in the old goods yard behind the station. The train consists of two driving cars, one fluid car and four grinding cars. The formation is: DR29251 Driving car, DR29252 Fluid Car, DR29253 Grind Car, DR29254 Grind Car, DR29255 Grind Car, DR29256 Grind Car and DR29257 Driving car. I have put rather a lot of photos on in the form of a slide show depicting the length of the train starting on the forth photo down, they may be of use to modellers.
Photos and words By Mick House.

C2103 in Truro yard. Copyright Mick House.

Colas DCR 78226 & DCR 78235 Heavy Duty Twin Jib Rail Cranes.
By Mick House and Roger Aston.

Below we have a selection of photos taken of two of the Colas Heavy Duty Twin Jib Rail Cranes.
Click on the play button in the top left-hand corner of the image to view a slideshow with a selection of shots.
Words & photos by Mick House & Roger Aston.
Many thanks Roger.

Close-up shots of DRC 78235, maybe useful for modellers. Copyright Roger Aston

DCR 78226 in action. Copyright Mick House.

DR 80205 at Truro. By Mick House and Roger Aston.

Loading ballast at Truro yard. Copyright Roger Aston.

Colas Rail DR77901 Ballast Regulator.
By Mick House and Roger Aston.

DR 77901 arrived in Truro at 13.09 on Friday 1st July when I photographed it.
It has been working in the Probus area.
Roger photographed it on Wednesday 6th July.
Fitters on both days were conducting routine maintenance and equipment operation after the machine had been used.
This machine is used to move ballast in to the sleepers for tamping, removing surplus ballast and tiding up the site after ballasting.
The machine has Ploughs, Brushes, Conveyors and a Storage Hopper.
Words and photos By Mick House additional photos by Roger Aston.
Many Thanks Roger.

Entering Truro yard through the undergrowth. Photo By Mick House.

Routine maintenance under way. Photo By Roger Aston.

The makers plate. Photo By Roger Aston.

Plough extended. Photo By Mick House.

More Ploughs. Photo By Roger Aston.

Brushes and Conveyors. Photo By Roger Aston.

Storage Hopper. Photo By Roger Aston.

More photos of Railvac 4 in Truro yard/station today (22-01-2016) before its 11.32 departure to Westbury.
Photos by Mick House

Railvac 4 was delivered to Truro yard this morning (13/01/2016) and is planned to be vacuuming the station area in the night for a week.
All photos by Roger Aston.

Tamper DR 73805 from Liskeard to Penzance.
By Mick House

DR 73805 left Liskeard today at 09.59 one minute early and arrived at Penzance 11.33 three minutes early, I photographed it at Gwinear road level crossing.
By Mick House

About to cross Gwinear road level crossing. Photo by Mick House.

Passing through the old site of the station at Gwinear road. Photo by Mick House.

Track Recording Train 950001 in Truro Yard part 1, a detailed look at the train this may be of interest to those of you that may wish to model this two car unit.
By Mick House with additional photos by Roger Aston.

950001 with coach 999601 leading. Photo by Roger Aston.

950001 with coach 999600 leading. Photo by Roger Aston.

950001 with the front of coach 999600. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the rear of coach 999600 showing the access doors for the on-board generator. Photo by Mick House.

950001 showing the vestibule between both coaches. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the rear of coach 999601 showing the unused sliding doors. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the middle of coach 999601 showing another set of unused sliding doors. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the front of coach 999601. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the roof details of coach 999600. Photo by Mick House.

950001 with the roof details of coach 999600/1. Photo by Mick House.

In our next instalment Part 2 of the Track Recording Train 950001 in Truro Yard we will take a look at the details below sole bar and the equipment used on the train.

Multi-purpose Stone Blower, Railhead Treatment Train and Tamper.
Photos by Roger Aston & Mick House.

Network Rail`s Multi-purpose Stone Blower DR 80302 was in
Truro yard on the morning of 7th April 2015. By Roger Aston.
Many thank Roger.

Number one end of DR 80302. Photo by Roger Aston

Number two end of DR 80302. Photo by Roger Aston

Number two end of showing the side of the cab and ballast grab DR 80302. Photo by Roger Aston

Network Rail`s Railhead Treatment Train photographed at Par and Falmouth docks. By Mick House

66006 has just taken the train out on to the up main line at Par having just left St Blazey depot on rout to Falmouth Docks (09-10-2011), you can see the tail lights of 66199 in the photo before the train heads toward Falmouth Photo by Mick House

66117 top and tailed with 66001 approaching Falmouth Docks (19-10-2014) and you can see in the photo that the water jet is working on the first wagon behind the loco (66117). Photo by Mick House

Now Colas Rail formally Seco-Rail Tamper DR 73805.
At the beginning of this engineering section I put a photo of DR 73805 number one end in its Colas Rail livery 24th January 2015, I have dug out some more photos giving you a bit more of its history, one shot looking from the number two end taken 9th November 2012 in an unbranded state with the Seco-Rail decals removed, two shots of the business end of the machine and one shot again taken on the 24th January 2015 from number two end showing the branding it carries today of Colas Rail. By Mick House

Number two end of unbranded DR 73805 in Truro yard (09-11-2012) with HST 43197 in the background. Photo by Mick House

The business end of DR 73805 the tines that tamp the ballast under the track. Photo by Mick House

The part adjacent to the tamping tines and the second part of the business end of DR 73805 is the mechanism that attaches the machine to the track and lifts it so it is able to tamp the ballast under the sleepers. Photo by Mick House

Number two end of Colas Rail branded DR 73805 Photo by Mick House

Colas Rail Ballast Regulators in Truro.

By Roger Aston.

Colas Rail Ballast Regulator 7790 was being prepared to depart for Tavistock Junction at 09.55 on 31/08/2015 and 77327 left on 03/08/2015 at 10.40.
Photos by Roger Aston With additional photos by Mick House.
Many Thanks Roger.

150831 77901 ticking over waiting to depart. Photo by Roger Aston

150731 77327. Photo by Roger Aston.

150731 shows both 77901 and 77327. Photo by Roger Aston.

150731 77901 having moved out of the siding drops down towards Platform 3 prior to departure. Photo by Roger Aston.

150731 77901 moves through platform 3 and departs 9 minutes early. 77327 can be seen in the background. Photo by Roger Aston.

150803. 77327 departing Truro Yard at 10.40 five minutes early. Photo by Mick House.

150803. 77327 passes over Truro Level crossing. Photo by Mick House.

Colas Rail Tamper 75406

Colas Rail Tamper 75406 built by Matisa.
Arrived in Truro on Tuesday 7th July Photos By Mick House
Additional photos taken on Thursday 9th July By Roger Aston, Many Thanks Roger

150707a Colas Rail Tamper 75406 arrives at Truro. Photo by Mick House

150707b 75406 entering Truro yard. Photo by Mick House

150709a Colas Rail Tamper 75406 stood in Truro yard. Photo by Roger Aston

150709b View of the other end of 75406 in Truro yard. Photo by Roger Aston

Harsco RGH20C rail grinder DR79263/73 in Truro yard 12/06/2015

110405a This photo was taken in 2011 you will note that the four horns are mounted on the roof, if you look at photos b & c taken in 12-06-2015 you will see the horns are fitted between Light clusters that have also been modified, the whole fleet has had this modification. Copyright Mick House

150612b The driving cab of DR 79263 Copyright. Mick House

150612c The driving cab of DR 79273 Copyright. Mick House

150612d Couplings cable/hose connections and walkway on the two vehicles. Copyright Mick House

150612e DR79263-73. Copyright Mick House

150612f DR79273-63. Copyright Mick House

Plant is in Truro yard for the track renewal of Highertown Tunnel
14-05-2015

20150514 TXM Plant 6162 Truro Yard

20150514 TXM Plant 6801 Truro Yard

20150514 TXM Plant 6876 Truro Yard

Ultrasonic test train at Penzance 27/02/2015 By Mick House

The ultrasonic test train is a Class 37 97303 formerly D6878 37178 and three coaches.
The first coach: Staff/support coach No 977969 formerly BR coach 14112 / 2906 was also part of the Royal train as a Royal Household couchette (1977)
The second coach: Ultrasonic Test Coach No.999602 formerly Class 421 EMU MBSO 62483 was part of a 4 BIG unit built 1974 and converted to a Test Coach by Serco in 2008
The third coach: Driving Trailer Coach No.9701 formerly Mk.IIf BSO No.9528 built 1974, converted to DBSO for Glasgow-Edinburgh push-pull expresses in 1974 and converted again to a Driving Trailer by SERCO Derby 2008 for use with NR laboratory/testing train.

Ultrasonic test train at Penzance

Class 37 97303

Class 37 97303 formerly D6878 37178

Staff-support coach No 977969

Ultrasonic Test Coach No.999602

Driving Trailer Coach No.9701

1985

2013

A tour around Exmouth Junction PW depot.
The Pant Depot was in the old C & W depot. This originally had six roads. BR modernised three roads, taking one out which ran into the shed
Pictures by David Tozer.

2015

50124 Tamper DR73805 in Truro yard on the 24th January 2015 last here 09-11-2012 Copyright Mick House.