The Anonymous Widower

The Class 769 Trains Are Progressing

The August 30th Edition of Rail Magazine gives a few details about the creation and testing of the Class 769 trains at Brush Traction in Loughborough.

• A test rig will be built to test the combination of MAN diesel engine and ABB alternator.
• The first train will be fitted with a power unit in the next eight weeks.
• After static tests it will move to the nearby Great Central Railway. for dynamic testing.
• The first train will be joined by a second train to test compatibility and multiple working.
• After returning to Brush for approval, they will move to Allerton Depot, where they will be based.
• It is planned that all eight trains for Northern will be in the North West by April 2018.

I find it intriguing that the testing is done on the local heritage railway.

There are two parts of the Great Central Railway separated by the Loughborough Gap.

• The Northern part is the Great Central Railway (Nottingham), which runs from the Midland Main Line at Loughborough to the South of Nottingham.
• The Southern part is the Great Central Railway, which runs between Loughborough Central  and Leicester North stations.

It is not said, whether the testing is North or South of Loughborough.

The two heritage railways are trying to bridge the gap at present and I can’t help feeling that once it is bridged, there will be winners all round.

September 3, 2017 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Class 319 Flex (Class 769) Train, Engineering, Midland Main Line