Traction Performance testing

Early Traction Performance testing

In the early days of the Modernisation Plan a number of diesel locomotives were tested by the the Regional CM&EE's including staff from Derby

Click on the pictures for a bigger image - All photos are from the author's collection except where otherwise noted

DP1 Deltic

	The prototype Deltic DP1 pictured near Armathwaite on the Settle-Carlisle line whilst undergoing performance testing in August 1956. Note the two MTU's in the train and No:3 Dynamometer Car in Blood & Custard livery. The loco was temporarily reallocated to Carlisle Durran shed from where trials were conducted over the arduous Settle-Carlisle route.
	The prototype Deltic DP1 pictured on the water troughs at Garsdale during its testing on the S&C in August 1956 Unknown
	The prototype Deltic DP1 passes the milk dock at Appleby on 29th August 1956. A Davenport
	DP1 at Skipton during its testing on the S&C in August 1956 Unknown

Falcon

Brush Falcon diesel locomotive D0280 pictured whilst undergoing performance tests on the Western Region. With 18 coaches plus the new WR 'Hawksworth' Dynamometer Car (later to become Test Car 4) behind the drawbar, the train is pictured on the Lickey Incline in February 1962. For more information about the locomotive and these tests look here.

Brush

HS4000 Kestrel

	The prototype 4000HP diesel locomotive 'Kestrel' built by Brush (later Hawker Siddeley) and numbered HS4000 is pictured on a test train stabled in front of the Locomotive Works at Derby on 30th August 1968. The date is the day before the annual open day (Horticultural Show) when the loco was allowed onto the Works in between tests on the WCML. Author
	Kestrel coupled to a dynamometer car at an unknown location Unknown
	'Kestrel' at Crewe with Dynamometer Car No:3 and three MTU's plus E3132 dead AC locomotive on the back.. During August & September 1968 HS4000 was involved in a variety of tests over the Derby-Stoke-Crewe-Nuneaton-Derby route. The load consisted of electrically braked mobile test units in conjunction with the rheo braking supplied by Class 86 E3122. The highest speed attained was 102mph, though the tests concentrated on performance expected under BR's normal daily running conditions. BR Official
	A close up of the bogie instrumentation on Kestrel. For more information about Kestrel and about these tests look here
	'Kestrel' at Cricklewood open day on 12th July 1969 Roy Miller courtesy Graham Carlson
	The only known photo of Kestrel in Russia at the Shcherbinka test track in 1972/3 Robert Humm collection
	The demise of 'Kestrel' - probably at the Shcherbinka test track c1993 Unknown

Misc

Somewhere on the WCML 1Z09 a test train consisting of long wheelbase ferry vans with three Mobile Test Units is pictured hauled by an unidentified AL5 loco

BTH Type 1

In March 1958 a BTH/Paxman Type 1 loco D8203 is pictured at Ilkeston on the Erewash Valley line heading a very long train of 16 ton mineral wagons

EE Type 2

EE Type 2 D8000 negotiates Derby North Jcn on an unknown date in 1958 with the Dynamometer car and an MTU in tow. The train would have travelled from the south avoiding Derby Station via Chaddesden Sidings. Note the ex Midland Railway signal works in the right background - the Derby Evening Telegraph offices occupy the site today. Photo taken from the North Junction signal box.

Metrovick Co-Bo

Two Metrovick Co-Bos leaving Hendon with a Condor train with No:3 Dynamometer Car in the formation. Most probably taken in 1958

Colin Marsden

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