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Network Rail
A small fleet used to roam the network analysing track and infrastructure condition all over the country
The NMT worked '1Q23' today from Reading-Kennet Bridge Loop to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury,Westbury and then back to Salisbury.Here the buffer fitted 43014 'The Railway Observer' was partnered with 43062 'John Armitt.Viewed in the Wylye Valley on the Westbury to Salisbury leg at Sherrington.
..1 august 2019..
43062 'John Armitt' heads along the Wylye Valley coincidentally at Wylye with todays '1Q23' from Reading going to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury and Westbury.43014 'The Railway Observer' was the rear Power-Car which of coarse would lead when it returned to Salisbury from Westbury barely an hour later.This NMT is now the only HST to show its face these days at Westbury with any regularity unless an Arriva-XC version gets diverted as they occasionally do!
..1 august 2019..
Today's NMT '1Z20' operated today from Reading-Triangle Sidings to Derby-RTC via Paddington and Swansea.43014 'The Railway Observer' led with 43062 'John Armitt' on the rear as seen here at Duffryn nr Newport.
..2 february 2018..
The NMT climbs the Upton-Scudamore Incline during a heavy rain storm working '1Q23' the 04:56 from Old Oak Common H.S.T.D to Salisbury via Basingstoke/Exeter and Westbury.The only bufferless Power-Car in the NR fleet 43062 'John Armitt' was leading whilst 43013 was somewhere on the back.
..27 july 2017..
'1Q23' the 04:56 from OOC to Salisbury via Exeter and Westbury with 43014 'The Railway Observer' leading and 43014 now acting as rear-gunner lean through the reverse curves at Sherrington returning to Salisbury.
..1 june 2017..
'1Q23' the 04:56 from OOC-HSTD to Salisbury via Salisbury to Westbury and return powers up through Bapton in the Wylye Valley.43013 leading this section of the duty with 43014 on the rear.I couldn't believe how high the grass had grown here since my last visit 6 weeks ago.Then it was just stubble but now it's well over 2ft tall which required me to be stood about 6ft up my extending ladder to get even this relatively narrow angle shot.Any wider was pretty much impossible!
..1 june 2017..
43013 brings up the rear on the 'NMT' whilst it awaits a west bound working to pass here at Gillingham on the single line from Salisbury.43014 was leading this service '1Q23' the 04:56 from OOC to Salisbury via Exeter.
..1 june 2017..
The 'Yellow Banana' or if you prefer the 'New Measurement Train' paid a visit to the old LSWR route to Exeter via Salisbury today.Here the working '1Q23' the 04:56 from Old Oak Common-HSTD to Salisbury via Exeter. 43014 'The Railway Observer' was leading and 43013 was on this section the trailing loco (Both of these P/C's being buffer fitted) .It is pictured arriving at Gillingham where it was required to wait to allow an Exeter bound service to pass on this single line section.
..1 june 2017..
The 'New Measurement Train' with 43062 leading and buffered 43014 on the rear passes Berkley Marsh working '1Q18' from Taunton (18:57 off) to Paddington. The Yellow Banana standing out well as it passes here in the final phase of daylight.Yellowing sunlight hardly mattering on this particular subject!
..7 april 2017..
43062 'John Armitt' leads '1Q23' the 15:37 NMT from Salisbury to Old Oak Common H.S.T.D via the Wylye Valley to Westbury and back.43014 was on the rear as it is seen cresting the Upton Scudamore Incline at Arn Hill on the return leg from Westbury.Just about sufficient sun to light the scene as it passed by!
..6 april 2017..
'1Q23' the 15:37 from Salisbury to OOC-H.S.T.D passes Wylye yet again after its quick trip to Westbury and return on its way up to the Capital via Salisbury and Basingstoke.43062 'John Armitt' was now leading with 43014 on the back.The overbridge in the background carries the infamous bottleneck of a road the A303.Gateway to the West via Hell in the summer months! As can be seen the cloud cover had by now increased considerably after such an unfulfilled promising start to the afternoon!
..9 march 2017..
The buffered 43014 'Railway Observer' leads '1Q23' the NMT from Salisbury to Old Oak Common-H.S.T.D via Westbury and a return via Salisbury.43062 'John Armitt' being the rear P/C.Here viewed in less than perfect lighting at Townsend Farm Crossing in Wylye about 15 minutes after an uninterrupted period of about 4 hours of full sunshine had come to a fading end.Oh-Well!
..9 march 2017..
Now this was an unexpected surprise! The 'New Measurement Train' c/w its recent decal revision was booked originally to go to London Paddington via Bristol but did a trip from Taunton to Bristol and returned,thus going to Paddington via the B&H instead.I think the report number is '1Z14'. The leading P/C is 43013 which was featured in the Bristol-SFM HST themed Open Day there and is still looking pretty clean over a month later.43014 'The Railway Observer' was on the rear.Both are buffer equipped versions.Pictured passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..03 june 2016..
43013,now a Network-Rail workhorse c/w front-end buffers which are a reminder of when selected HST-PC's (Including this one) were used for a while on the ECML as a powered DVT-type locomotive partnering Class-91 type locomotives + 43300 which is an ECML regular between Kings-Cross and Aberdeen + 43048 whose usual route is northwards out of London's St-Pancras.This super-sunny shot was taken in the last few minutes of the St Philips Marsh Open-Day Event just as the staff were vainly trying to usher everybody out as the closing time was just minutes away.Naturally after enduring hours of dullness and heavy rain these last few precious moments of sunlight were making the remaining photographers left extreemly reluctant to leave without a few more top-shots!
..02 may 2016..
The 'New Measurement Train' in its distinctive all-over yellow colour scheme speeds through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome on '1Q18' the 04:59 from Old Oak Common to Paddington via Plymouth.Note the freshly trenched-out ditches here adjacent to the trackwork in an attempt to combat a couple of persistent 'wet spots' here in the permanant way.Extra drainage pipework has also been installed to aid the process as well.Buffered 43013 was leading with partner 43014 'The Railway Observer' on the rear.
..18th december 2015..
Today the NMT ran as '1Q24' from Swindon-West Loop down to Weymouth. However it was delayed for some reason and passed Fairwood-Junction a solid 154-minutes behind schedule.A faint glint of late afternoon sun greeted it as it passed with 43013 leading and 43064 'John Armitt' on the rear.
..22 october 2015..
'1Q18' the 05:00 from Old Oak Common-H.S.T.D to Paddington via Plymouth takes the Westbury avoiding line at Fairwood Junction.43013 was leading with bufferless 43062 bringing up the rear.Several different shades of yellow here including a barely necessary seperate yellow warning panel on the front.
..25 september 2015..
The Network-Rail NMT today worked '1Q24' which originated from Old Oak Common this morning at 04:58 and after travelling on various diverse routes will eventually reach todays journeys end at Weymouth.Here it is on the final leg from Westbury to Weymouth via Yeovil passing Frome's Blatchbridge-Junction. 43062 'John Armitt' is leading with 43014 'Railway Observer 'on the rear.
..25 june 2015..
Todays New Measurement Train working from OOC-HSTD (05:07 off) to London-Paddington via Plymouth '1Q18' passes Berkley-Marsh nr Frome on the return leg of the journey.Buffer fitted 43013 was leading whilst 43062 'John Armitt' was on the rear.
..27 march 2015..
Todays '1Q18' the 05:23 from OOC to Paddington via Plymouth speeds away through Castle-Cary as it heads east.The sky looking in that direction was a complete contrast to the view westward. See HERE 43013 is observed here doing the pushing whilst a long gone 43014 was leading.
..13 february 2015..
Amazingly the clouds parted and for a brief period Castle-Cary Station was bathed in superb sunlight.It also coincided with the passing of the 'NMT' on its regular fortnightly run up from Plymouth heading for Paddington.Todays '1Q18' was led by buffer-equipped 43014 'Railway Observer' with 43013 on the rear.
..13 february 2015..
Buffer equipped 43014 'The Railway Observer' runs up through a very brown Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with '1Q19' the 10:28 from Plymouth going to London-Paddington.43013 was the P/C on the rear of this Network-Rail owned and operated 'New Measurement Train'.Note the fourth test carriage is equipped with a pantograph.Lets hope it never has to use it on this route in the distant future!
..16 january 2015..
'1Q19' the 10:01 run of the NMT from Plymouth up to London-Paddington speeds around the Westbury Avoiding Line .It is viewed at Penleigh Park Foot-Crossing.This Crossing interestingly has traffic-lights and sirens to warn pedestrians of the approach of trains + a sign giving a very stern warning not to use it if the traffic lights are out of order! Most workings here are HST's which usually pass at very high speed.
..24 october 2014..
Network Rails 'New Measurement Train' led by 43014 with 43062 on the rear moves away from Westbury heading for Weymouth after an already busy morning having left Old Oak Common in London at 04:47 with '1Q24' and going to Exeter via Reading and Basingstoke then up to here (Westbury) via Yeovil Pen Mill.The Buffer-fitted Power-Car now carries the name 'The Railway Observer' which it quite apt given this trains function in life.This particular name was once applied to Class-37 37890 which is now regretfully long gone.
..23 october 2014..
After reversal in Westbury station the NMT '1Q24' from Old Oak Common continues on its journey to Weymouth.Seen less than 20 minutes after it passed going the other way at Fairwood Junction just west of Westbury.43013 is now leading with 43014 in the distance on the rear.
..24 july 2014..
Network-Rail's New Measurement Train is seen at Fairwood-Junction working '1Q24' which is a rather convoluted journey from Old Oak Common in London which ends up eventually in Weymouth.On its way it takes in the old Southern route via Yeovil to Exeter then comes to Westbury via Yeovil-Pen Mill before going down to Weymouth via Dorchester. 43014 'The Railway Observer' was leading 43013 sandwiching a collection of both Mk-2 and Mk-3 stock including (for now) a somewhat redundant OHLE test-car!
..24 july 2014..
Having made a quick reversal in Westbury Statiom '1Q24' continues on its journey from Old Oak Common to Weymouth. 43014 now leads the working with 43013 on the back.Both of these Network Rail owned HST-Powercars are fitted with buffers,a reminder of the time (1987-1991) when they were used on the ECML as surrogate powered DVT's working with Class 91's.
..25 july 2013..
THe 'New Measurement Train' powered by 43013 leading with 43014 on the rear rolls into Westbury on todays test schedule running as '1Q24'.This being Old Oak Common to Weymouth via Salisbury/Yeovil/Exeter (rev)/Westbury (rev again) and then down the single line via Yeovil finally to Weymouth.Here it is passing Fairwood-Foot Xing on the approach to Westbury.
..25 july 2013..
With the line open again after a 4-day engineering occupation between Castle-Cary and Cogload-Junction '1Q19' the 10:01 from Plymouth going to Paddington was able to run as scheduled.Here is the 'Yellow-Banana' with 43062 'John Armitt' leading and 43014 on the rear running at speed past Clink Road-Junction in Frome.This is the only member of the Railtrack owned Class-43 fleet that is not one of the buffer fitted editions.Note the third carriage is fitted with an OHLE test pantograph,something that will see much more use on the Western in the years to come!
..19 april 2013..
After a brief reversal at Westbury '1Q24' from Exeter continued on towards Weymouth.This time 43014 was leading with 43013 on the back.Note the OHLE testcar in the train formation.Something that will be used much more often on trips west of Paddington in the coming years.Fairwood was the location but today the famous Westbury White Horse was completely obscured by snow!
..24 january 2013..
Todays NMT used a pair of buffer-equipped power-cars.Here 43013 was leading as '1Q24' from Exeter to Weymouth via Westbury. 43014 was bringing up the rear.Seen at a 'not so snowy' Fairwood nr Westbury.
..24 january 2013..
The sole-named Network-Rail Class-43 Power-Car 43062 'John Armitt' speeds up the Westbury Avoiding Line with '1Q19' from Plymouth nominally going to Paddington.43013 was on the rear.Actually getting to Paddington today could be problematical as most workings in and out of that Terminus are paralysed by a major signalling failure due to a damaging lineside fire in the Acton area! In fact info received later recorded it was caped at Reading.
..21 december 2012..
Here is the Railtrack-NMT standing in Westbury due to being unable to proceed west because of all the flooding and landslips causing closures of the lines at various places west of Castle-Cary.This train, 43062 leading with 43014 on the rear will no doubt pick up its original route returning to Paddington.In fact it departed ar 12:05 as '1Z19'
..23 november 2012..
The NMT heads south from Derby as'1Z16' going to London-OOC.43062 'John Armitt' leading with 43014 on the rear.Catholme again!
..25 july 2012..
The 'New-Measurement-Train' with '1Q13' from Plymouth going to Paddington speeds up the Westbury-Avoider with 43062 'John Armitt' leading and 43013 on the rear.This being the regular monthly 'friday' slot for this working.
..25 may 2012..
The 'New Measurement Train' or NMT for short, passes Arn-Hill nr Warminster heading for Westbury with '1Q23'.Today test schedule taking in (From London-OOC) the old Southern route to Exeter with a trip to Westbury thrown in. Buffer-fitted 43013 was leading a shortened 4-coach formation with 43062 on the back.The usual Coach with OHLE test-equipment being missing today.Not much call for that in the West-Country---Yet!
..22 march 2012..
The more conventional shot at Fairwood shows how much more character the Network-Rail' owned HST-P/cars have.Loads of differences to the stock FGW model.Obviously the front end sports buffers and a nice 'trad' red buffer-beam,a fabricated box for the video-camera's,a cyclops headlight and even a different design sun visor.'1X23' with 43014/43013 pictured leaving Westbury on the 04:48 OOC to Weymouth via the Southern to Exeter up to Westbury then back south to Weymouth.
..26 january 2012..
A longish tele shot further blown-up in Photoshop really shows up the front-end detail on NMT 43014 viewed here in '1X23' leaving Westbury heading for Weymouth.The reason for the 'X' coding is because of the inclusion of the pantograph fitted coach in the formation making it in theory an out of gauge load! 43013 was bringing up the rear.The train is seen at Fairwood foot x-ing nr Westbury.
..26 january 2012..
Another 'Going-Away-Shot',the alternative would be a picture that would be virtually useless.Anyway the Autumn colours looking east are superb and well worth recording. Here is the New-Measurement-Train headed by 43014 with 43062 'John Armitt' on the back on '1Q19' going up to Paddington from Plymouth.Location is the Frome-Avoider at Styles-Hill.Note the pantograph fitted coach in the train make-up.Not much use on the B&H,long may that situation endure!
..28 october 2011..
Close-up shot of the trailing PowerCar 43062 'John Armitt' on '1Z15' going to Swindon here at Standish-Junction.Modifications include a 'Cyclops' style high level headlight and a special box with forward facing video camera's complete with windscreen wiper! Also note the slight difference between the NR-yellow and the warning-panel yellow.Now that really is H&S going too far!!!!!!!!
..15 september 2011..
By the time this arrived the light was getting rather 'head-on' but being bright-yellow helped to brighten up the sides of the carriages no-end!. Here is buffer-fitted 43013 with the NMT on a Derby to Cardiff via Swindon diagram.43062 was bringing up the rear.Running as '1Z15' it is seen taking the 'Golden-Valley' direction here at Standish-Junction.
..15 september 2011..
New-Measurement-Train today seen with 43014 leading and 43062 on the rear seen departing Westbury heading for Weymouth but going eventually to OOC.Running nearly 2 hours down on schedule it looks like a long day for the staff on board.Note--Even the Network-Rail HST-Power Cars are now MTU fitted.The buffer fitted versions being the last ones to get rebuilt,including the NR ones and the Grand Central versions. ..28 july 2011..
Whilst the Royal Wedding was captivating a high proportion on the UK population '1Q19' with 43062/43013 was coming up from Plymouth going to Paddington.By the time it had reached Frome (Clink-Junc) the couple were Wed,had their Carriage-Ride and performed the much anticipated 'Kiss' on the Buck-House Balcony.I had to watch it on telly as for some reason my Invitation got lost in the post. ..29 april 2011..
Less than 10 minutes after arrival at Westbury 43013/43062 head back from wence it came! That being Yeovil-Junction.From here via Salibury and Reading back to Old-Oak-Common.Still reporting as '1Q23' and seen at Fairwood on the outskirts of Westbury. ..28 april 2011..
Part of todays Plan for '1Q23' that involves trips down the old Southern route to Exeter from Paddington via Basingstoke is a run up from Yeovil-Junc to Westbury and return.Here is 43062/43013 slowing for the Westbury halt.Named 'John Armitt' this 3-eyed HST P/C makes a pleasant change from the regular FGW fare that normally pass this way. ..28 april 2011..
NMT running the South-Western diagram also fitted in a trip to Westbury and return prior to heading back up to London.Listed as '1Q16'. With 43013 leading and 43014 on the rear it is seen passing Upton-Scudamore making light work of the incline there. ..24 march 2011..
'1z19' again recorded shortly after traversing Fairwood-Junction and taking the Avoider thus missing out the station at Westbury going from Plymouth up to Paddington.43014 this time with no headlight fitted despite this shot being taken 10 weeks later than the one below.43062 'John Armitt' was again the trailing Power-Car. ..28 january 2011..
43013 and 43062 speeds up the Westbury Avoiding-Line heading for Paddington from Plymouth.Regular working this '1Z19'.Note the newly fitted additional high-centre headlight now installed on these Power-Cars. ..19 november 2010..
The 'NMT' running as '1Z23' enters Gillingham on the SR line between Exeter and Salisbury.This is the first time for many years an HST has passed this way so quite a novelty.Train is now booked to do a check on this route now at regular intervals.43062 'John Armitt' being the lead P?C with 43013 on the rear.Train ws to pause here for about 15 minutes to allow a service train coming from Salisbury to pass here due to the single track nature of this route. ..21 january 2010..
Mainline liveried 60011 stands in Yate waiting for this northbound NMT to pass and clear the junction so it can then ladder over to take the single line down to the Westerleigh Oil Terminal.The train being '6B13' from Robeston.