Operations Track Record
Rail Head Treatment Trains
CLASS 73 Nos. 73201 and 73136 were noted at Three Bridges on October 9 working a Tonbridge to Tonbridge RHTT diagram via the Brighton Main Line, Newhaven, Kensington Olympia, Wimbledon, Sutton and Crowborough.
MULTI-Purpose Vehicles Nos. DR 98913 and DR98963 were observed on Wednesday, October 9 at Barnes working off Effingham Jct. The following day, Nos. DR 98922 and DR98972 were employed. When observed on October 20 it was Nos. DR 98915 and DR 98965 on the service.
CLASS 66 Nos. 66723 and 66724 were seen on October 12 at the former Teston Station crossing, on the Medway Valley line. They were working an RHTT diagram, heading towards Strood.
THE RHTT season has started on the southern end of the Midland Main Line. DB Cargo has lost the contract to Colas Rail and the 3J92/23.42 Toton TMD-West Hampstead North Junction and 3J93/11.53 return are being regularly top-and-tailed by Colas Class 67 Nos. 67023 Stella +67027 Charlotte .
LOCOMOTIVE workings between South Acton and Richmond are rare, so the Rail Head Treatment Trains in autumn are particularly interesting. On Saturday, October 13 the 3S81 from Broxbourne Down Tamper Siding was seen at Kew Gardens top-and-tailed, headed by Class 66 Nos. 66732 and 66702.
THE Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard was seen at platform 17, Clapham Junction on October 17 top-and-tailed by Class 73 Nos. 73961 and 73965. This train works to Brighton, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, East Grinstead, Uckfield and Horsham during the course of the day.
On the same day a second train, top-and-tailed by Nos. 73136 and 73107, was observed leaving Victoria working to Maidstone, Strood, then Rochester, Sittingbourne and back to Victoria, then Sevenoaks and back to Rochester, Strood and Maidstone.
THE evening of Wednesday, October 31 saw two Rail Head Treatment Trains pass through Clapham Junction in quick succession.
The first was working from Horsham Up Terminal Complex to Horsham Up Terminal Complex via Epsom, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, West Croydon, Crystal Palace and Epsom Downs, employing Multi Purpose Vehicle Nos. DR 98916 and DR98966.
This was followed by Nos. DR 98978 and DR 98928 working from Horsham Up Terminal Complex to Horsham Up Terminal Complex via Epsom, Sutton, Crystal Palace, Streatham Hill, Dorking, Littlehampton, Preston Park, Worthing, Havant and Bognor Regis.
A LANDSLIDE at Oxenholme on the evening of October 13 resulted in the closure of the WCML until the line could be cleared.
ON FRIDAY, October 19 the 9M52/08.51 Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston, operated by a pair of‘Voyager’units, was observed passing Thankerton with No. 221101 in its new livery, leading No. 221105.
SHORTLY before 07.15 on Thursday, November 1 a train driver reported a possible dip in the track, which resulted in the closure of the WCML between Newton West Junction and Uddingston while an examination of the route was undertaken.
During the blockage, Virgin Train services were diverted via Hamilton, Mossend South Junction and Holytown Junction, to rejoin the WCML at Law junction.
TPE services were
