12. An East-West Rail HST test train-04.02.25

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2025 > 12. An East-West Rail HST test train-04.02.25

With further testing taking place on the first portion of the East-West rail link Colas were due to run a test train from their Rugby base to Oxford and back making two return runs. I kept an eye on RTT and Open Train Times with it eventually leaving extremely late after briefly appearing and seemingly ready to go nearer to its scheduled time.

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DR73910, 09.49 Nuneaton Civils-Tring CE Sidings (6J73, 153E), former A508 bridge
I had been tracking the progress of the very early running 09.49 Nuneaton Civils to Tring CE Siding track machine and popped out to see it passing Roade. It is worked by Colas' DR73910 'Jupiter’ that brings a splash of orange to an otherwise grey and dull Roadecutting seen from the former A508 road bridge.
Keywords: DR73910 09.49 Nuneaton Civils-Tring CE Sidings 6J73 former A508 bridge Colas Jupiter

43247 & 43264, 09.55 Rugby Depot Access-Rugby Depot Access (0Z44, 5E), Hyde Road bridge
I had been ready to go out and see the 09.55 Rugby Depot Access return working (via two return trips from Milton Keynes to Oxford) from its due departure time. By 10.30 nothing appeared on OTT so I began to think that it would be capped. Finally, it appeared and I got ready to go out only to find that it disappeared again. Fearing a problem I consigned myself that it was to be cancelled. However, nearly an hour and a half late it appeared again and got underway straightaway. I nipped out on Bertie the Brompton and captured HST power cars 43247 and 43264 passing Roade. It was undertaking some sort of test runs on the still-yet-to-be-opened east-west rail link. Andy and I are due to traverse the route in just under two weeks on a charter so I hope that all the tests have been passed successfully!
Keywords: 43247 43264 09.55 Rugby Depot Access-Rugby Depot Access 0Z44 Hyde Road bridge Colas

Images 1-2 of 2 displayed.