New Measurement Train

[andersley]

This passed my house today. Video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHjOQv0ur2M

[swisstrains]

Alan,
Was that the first time that the NMT had visited the Sleaford-Lincoln line?
When it was first introduced it tended to keep to the higher speed routes but recently I have seen quite a few reports of it on secondary lines. I wonder if Network Rail have changed their inspection strategies?

[andersley]

Yep, first time down here. We usually have the converted 150. Nice to have a change.

[Shed Cat]

Nice clip. What's it actually doing? Checking alignment, track level, and....?

It has got to be a lot more sophisticated than the old white-wash-bucket train.

[andersley]

I believe it records all sorts of data about track condition. But in this area all you have to do is look along the track with a telephoto lens or binoculars (or naked eye) to see that it could use some tweaking!

[swisstrains]

According to the official interim report the "New Measurement Train" passed through Grayrigg two days before the Pendolino derailment and took photos of the damaged points. Unfortunately there was no provision in the system to automatically flag up these faults and they went unnoticed.

[andersley]

So unless someone studies the trace, any faults are not seen?

[Shed Cat]

That was my point.
I just hope it is more than a big yellow train with a CCTV camera pointing downwards.

[Foghut]

Originally Posted by Shed Cat

That was my point.
I just hope it is more than a big yellow train with a CCTV camera pointing downwards.

Fear not, it measures and records all sorts of track geometry, as well as checking the catenary structure when necessary. There's a little bit about it on the Wiki page here...... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network...surement_Train

[EuroStar]

Very interesting article