The author joined the Testing & Performance Section of BR in 1971 working initially on technical investigations into locomotive in-service problems . At this time there were many interesting items of rolling stock in the yard at the RTC including locomotives, DMU's coaches and wagons often specially modified for various experimental roles.
Here are a few photos of the scene at the RTC and a few other places in the late 1960's and early 1970's plus a bit of history.
Click on the picture for a bigger image - photos are the author's unless otherwise indicated
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A photo taken from the Way &
Works sidings in the early days of the RTC showing the Engineering
Development Unit workshop under construction. Colin Marsden |
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This is HRH Prince Phillip
opening the Research Division's new HQ in 1964- note Dr Richard
Beeching in the background. Colin Marsden |
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The view outside the Test
Hall looking towards the station in 1964. The EE 350HP shunter would
appear to be undertaking some testing. Note the greasetop which the
driver is wearing and the now long gone St Andrews church in the
background Colin Marsden |
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This ex-SR 2-BIL EMU was pictured in the yard in the summer of 1972. It was acquired for 'make-up' vehicles when testing new air-braked stock as most of the vehicles available to us at the time were vacuum braked. |
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The 2-BIL awaiting scrapping at
Armitages Whittington Hill, Chesterfield, c1973
Unknown |
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S15705, a 1200 HP Metrovick co-bo locomotive and formerly numbered D5705, was saved from the scrapyard by R&DD for use on the Tribometer test train and is shown here in the Way & Works sidings in the summer of 1972. The locomotive is steadily nearing full restoration. |
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Test Car 1 was a former WR autocoach and is shown here with a 4-wheel Yeoman hopper inside the EDU workshop in 1972. |
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DM395104 was a former LNWR full brake which was used as a mobile workshop - I don't think it survived into preservation. It appears to be one built to Diagram 383 between 1910-1911 and was 42ft long, possible original number M32104. |
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The loco is pictured again
with the Trib train on the Goods Road at the back of Derby station David Hills |
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Also saved from the scrapyard for use on the Tribology test train was this EE 1100 HP 'Baby Deltic' No: D5901 - pictured here running light engine on the Up Slow line north of Leicester station. |
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The overhead monitoring
coach MENTOR pictured at an unknown location in the early 1970's Author's collection |
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A couple of EE Type 1 locos (later class 20) pause at Sileby box in May 1972 en route to the south. |
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E2001 earlier in its career
at Rugby on 21st April 1968 Unknown |
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The pioneer 25kV locomotive E2001 (ex-18100 GWR gas turbine) is shown here dumped in the sidings at Rugby on 11th May 1972 |
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Gresley buffet car E9129E from 1937 was caught on camera at York during the HST prototype testing during the summer of 1973. It survived the cutting torch and is now fully restored to its LNER condition and running on NYMR. |
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Test Car 5 ADB975051
pictured when new on 22nd December 1972 at the top of the yard at the
RTC Author's collection |
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On 21st March 1972 former WR diesel hydraulic Warship class No:832 'Onslaught' is shown after arrival at the RTC for use as a rolling load at the test track. It is now preserved. |
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Deltic 9008 'The Green Howards' pictured at York on a parcels train in summer of 1973 - probably on a running-in turn from Doncaster. |
