Do NMTs run on rail strike days please?

[Robin Procter]

I am assuming that New Measurement Train drivers are ASLEF members and consequently don't work on strike dates. But can anyone confirm this please?

I was hoping to travel (by car) to photograph 1Z22 on 4th October, a rail strike day.

As many of you will already know, NMTs usually run regularly on the same day of the week at monthly intervals and so is it likely that the booked path will just be delayed a few days? Or the month's run will be completely missed?

Many thanks for any help,
Robin

 

[Sheridan]

I believe the drivers, whilst possibly members of ASLEF, are employed by Colas Rail, who aren’t involved in any disputes.

 

[yorkie]

I believe the drivers ...are employed by Colas Rail, ...

I can confirm that; I was speaking to one (a longstanding member of this forum) last week.

...who aren’t involved in any disputes.

And yes I am pretty sure they are not in dispute.

 

[transportphoto]

You may find that, with the railways being fairly empty, the trains which do run may run ahead of schedule.

 

[DarloRich]

without wishing to be a right spotter the train in the picture shown above is not the NMT therefore to check: do you mean the NMT specifically or general NR inspection trains?

I assume you are after shots of the HST power cars (of a Colas flavour) rather than a 37. I am unsure of the status of the actual NMT power cars. Perhaps @43096 can help

it shouldn't really matter as irc they are driven by Colas people who are not in dispute.

 

[43096]

without wishing to be a right spotter the train in the picture shown above is not the NMT therefore to check: do you mean the NMT specifically or general NR inspection trains?

I assume you are after shots of the HST power cars (of a Colas flavour) rather than a 37. I am unsure of the status of the actual NMT power cars. Perhaps @43096 can help

it shouldn't really matter as irc they are driven by Colas people who are not in dispute.

The three “core” NMT power cars (43013/014/062) are still out if service after ETCS fit and major maintenance; no idea what the hold-up is with getting them back into traffic. So the NMT is currently powered by various combinations of 43290/299 (leased by NR as cover for the above three) and the Colas fleet (43251/257/272/274/277).

 

[DarloRich]

The three “core” NMT power cars (43013/014/062) are still out if service after ETCS fit and major maintenance; no idea what the hold-up is with getting them back into traffic. So the NMT is currently powered by various combinations of 43290/299 (leased by NR as cover for the above three) and the Colas fleet (43251/257/272/274/277).

thanks - i am a bit out of the loop on all this now!

 

[Robin Procter]

I believe the drivers, whilst possibly members of ASLEF, are employed by Colas Rail, who aren’t involved in any disputes.

I can confirm that; I was speaking to one (a longstanding member of this forum) last week.

And yes I am pretty sure they are not in dispute.

.... Thanks for that info - I means that I am likely to see the NMT I want to photograph on 4th this month if I make the trip.

All the NMTs I have seen in my neck of the woods (Dorset/Devon/Somerset) have been Colas Rail operated - Either Class43 or 37 to date.

 

[Robin Procter]

You may find that, with the railways being fairly empty, the trains which do run may run ahead of schedule.

.... That's a very good point! Not having to provide passenger services to the public they do tend to run more 'flexibly'. I will track it on RTT as usual and am always ridiculously early arriving at my chosen shooting locations wherever they are.

Last month the 1Z22 was 55 mins late at Yeovil and they changed the route missing out the loop where I was waiting .

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Colas Infrastructure Monitoring Drivers are recognised by ASLEF but they are not in a dispute.
Colas freight drivers however are not recognised by ASLEF.

 

[Robin Procter]

without wishing to be a right spotter the train in the picture shown above is not the NMT therefore to check: do you mean the NMT specifically or general NR inspection trains?

I assume you are after shots of the HST power cars (of a Colas flavour) rather than a 37. I am unsure of the status of the actual NMT power cars. Perhaps @43096 can help

it shouldn't really matter as irc they are driven by Colas people who are not in dispute.

.... No, I am after all NMTs and have photographed both Class43s and 37s, each train top-n-tailed by the same class and never mixed. Cheers for the Colas drivers confirmation.

Unless someone in the know tells me beforehand it has been a surprise so far whether I will see a Class43 or a 37 but I like both.

This pair of Class37 are on the same path as shown in my earlier posted photo of Class43 but different months :

 

[Robin Procter]

The three “core” NMT power cars (43013/014/062) are still out if service after ETCS fit and major maintenance; no idea what the hold-up is with getting them back into traffic. So the NMT is currently powered by various combinations of 43290/299 (leased by NR as cover for the above three) and the Colas fleet (43251/257/272/274/277).

.... In January 2023 I photographed Class43 277 undergoing overhaul at Buckfastleigh Engineering and then very recently on a NMT in new Colas Rail livery and now named 'Safety Task Force'.

And the Colas Rail fleet includes Class37 which we sometimes also see on NMTs.

HST POWER CAR REFURBISHMENT by Robin Procter, on Flickr

THIS TRAIN IS NOT ON A JOURNEY .... by Robin Procter, on Flickr

[I had to use Flickr to host because the forum software refused to "parse" my image upload attempts]

 

[43096]

And the Colas Rail fleet includes Class37 which we sometimes also see on NMTs.

To be strictly accurate, the NMT only very, very, very occasionally runs with anything other than power cars. There is only one NMT: it is easier to differentiate as it is formed entirely of Mark 3 vehicles. The other Infrastructure Monitoring trains are not NMTs.

 

[Robin Procter]

To be strictly accurate, the NMT only very, very, very occasionally runs with anything other than power cars. There is only one NMT: it is easier to differentiate as it is formed entirely of Mark 3 vehicles. The other Infrastructure Monitoring trains are not NMTs.

.... So is there only one set of yellow coaches (mk3) forming a NMT (New Measurement Train) on the whole of Network Rail?

I am not familiar with coach differences at all, other than livery. I come from the 1960s steam era and have only started photographing any trains about three years ago and I saw my first ever yellow coached train in April this year and so I would benefit from any education on the subject please.

Do "the other Infrastructure Monitoring Trains" (IMTs?) also have yellow coaches? And do you know approximately how many such trains there are?

Since April 2023 I have photographed 3 different yellow trains with Colas Rail Class37 power units, all in the southwest (Dorset/Devon/Somerset).

 

[DarloRich]

To be strictly accurate, the NMT only very, very, very occasionally runs with anything other than power cars. There is only one NMT: it is easier to differentiate as it is formed entirely of Mark 3 vehicles. The other Infrastructure Monitoring trains are not NMTs.

i was trying very hard not to say that

So is there only one set of yellow coaches (mk3) forming a NMT (New Measurement Train) on the whole of Network Rail?

Correct - the NMT is the only Mkiii set ( see: https://www.rail-record.co.uk/guide-to-network-rail-test-trains/)

Do "the other Infrastructure Monitoring Trains" (IMTs?) also have yellow coaches? And do you know approximately how many such trains there are?

Yes, mostly. There are some other coloured coaches hired in which contain controlled emissions toilets. They are in the main Mkii coaches but there are other vehicles used as generators etc. Here are some mkii examples:

Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

generator van: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Brake force runner: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

DBSO: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

There is also Mentor: Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Class 950: Milton Keynes by MK Darlo, on Flickr

a number of video survey fitted 153 units: Fenny Stratford by MK Darlo, on Flickr

A video inspection unit for tight areas such as stations: Manchester Piccadilly by MK Darlo, on Flickr

 

[Spaceship323]

The Platform 5 book (no 2 ~ coaching stock) lists all the NR "yellow" coaches

British Railways Pocket Book 2: Coaching Stock 2023

**British Railways Pocket Book 2: Coaching Stock 2023** is the definitive Platform 5 guide to all locomotive-hauled carriages which operate on Britain's national railway network. It contains a complet

www.platform5.com

 

[Snow1964]

I am assuming that New Measurement Train drivers are ASLEF members and consequently don't work on strike dates. But can anyone confirm this please?

I was hoping to travel (by car) to photograph 1Z22 on 4th October, a rail strike day.

As many of you will already know, NMTs usually run regularly on the same day of the week at monthly intervals and so is it likely that the booked path will just be delayed a few days? Or the month's run will be completely missed

Tomorrows 1Z22 appears to be pathed at 125mph (except last few miles around Bristol) which suggests it will be the mk3 coaches. Think the other trains with older vehicles are speed limited

Realtime Trains | 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road | 04/10/2023

Real-time train running information for 1Z22 0749 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road on 04/10/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Could easily end up early, many of the allowances of waiting for other services will not be needed

 

[Robin Procter]

i was trying very hard not to say that

Correct - the NMT is the only Mkiii set ( see: https://www.rail-record.co.uk/guide-to-network-rail-test-trains/)

Yes, mostly. There are some other coloured coaches hired in which contain controlled emissions toilets. They are in the main Mkii coaches but there are other vehicles used as generators etc. Here are some mkii examples:

Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

generator van: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Brake force runner: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

DBSO: Doncaster by MK Darlo, on Flickr

There is also Mentor: Milton Keynes Central by MK Darlo, on Flickr

Class 950: Milton Keynes by MK Darlo, on Flickr

a number of video survey fitted 153 units: Fenny Stratford by MK Darlo, on Flickr

A video inspection unit for tight areas such as stations: Manchester Piccadilly by MK Darlo, on Flickr

.... Many Thanks! Your post is extremely helpful - Thanks for taking the time to post all those Flickr photos.

And I have now bookmarked the link to the Rail-Record page.

 

[Robin Procter]

The Platform 5 book (no 2 ~ coaching stock) lists all the NR "yellow" coaches

British Railways Pocket Book 2: Coaching Stock 2023

**British Railways Pocket Book 2: Coaching Stock 2023** is the definitive Platform 5 guide to all locomotive-hauled carriages which operate on Britain's national railway network. It contains a complet

www.platform5.com

.... Cheers! Although I'm not sure I'll go as far as buying that book - I'll wait and see how addicted I become to the yellow trains! I have always been more into locos rather than coaches.

 

[Robin Procter]

Tomorrows 1Z22 appears to be pathed at 125mph (except last few miles around Bristol) which suggests it will be the mk3 coaches. Think the other trains with older vehicles are speed limited

Realtime Trains | 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road | 04/10/2023

Real-time train running information for 1Z22 0749 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road on 04/10/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Could easily end up early, many of the allowances of waiting for other services will not be needed

.... A friend has just confirmed to me that Colas Rail Class37 175 & 254 are in charge. But aren't Class37 aka "Tractors" speed limited?

Am now tracking the train on RTT but it's too soon to tell if it will arrive super early at my photo spot on the Weymouth loop - It's going to be a long day with no other trains to see while waiting! Why do I do this!?

 

[DarloRich]

.... Many Thanks! Your post is extremely helpful - Thanks for taking the time to post all those Flickr photos.

no problem - happy to help

 

[Robin Procter]

Thanks to everyone who helped me here. I spent nearly 5 hours waiting for one train on a railstrike day when no other trains were running but I am pleased with the results.

The Colas Rail 1Z22 Test Train in the charge of Class37 254 & 175 ran both late and early during its mission but was only 20 minutes late at my chosen location - If no path allowances had been needed it could have been as much as 2 hours early but the strike day made no difference! It was worth the time I spent. An added bonus was some shots of a Buzzard in flight (I also photograph wildlife).

I have learnt quite a lot about the yellow trains in this thread including that there is a difference between a New Measurement Train and Test Trains running on similar missions to keep the rail network safe.

In my neck of the woods of Dorset/Somerset/Devon I am likely to see 1Z22 and 1Q23 once a month and intend to photograph them again in a variety of locations. Meanwhile, here are a couple of my photos from the day. BTW, the sound and power of the Class37 "Tractors" climbing the 1-in-57 Upwey Bank from only a few yards away was absolutely glorious and something I shall never forget!!

"TRACTOR" ON A MISSION! by Robin Procter, on Flickr

"TRACTORS" LOUDLY STORMING UP UPWEY BANK by Robin Procter, on Flickr

[I don't know why but the forum has problems with me uploading photos, hence they are posted via Flickr]

 

[DarloRich]

Nice pictures - what are you using? Mine are all standard lens on my old Nikon or sometimes off my Sony pocket snapper

 

[Robin Procter]

Nice pictures - what are you using? Mine are all standard lens on my old Nikon or sometimes off my Sony pocket snapper

.... Thank you

I use an Olympus OMD PRO system and 3 different PRO lenses, each is a zoom for flexibility and all are extremely weatherproof (IP53 certified) and need to be because I can be on a beach all day in winter shooting surfers in rough weather. But I also have an Olympus TG-6 pocket camera. Each of my photos on Flickr show my camera gear and settings used. There is no such thing as the perfect camera or lens! . It's Horses-for-Courses. I only shoot railways, surfers, and wildlife (including Horses and Show Jumping etc). I have an Instagram page for each subject but never manage to keep them up to date.

 

[Spaceship323]

Great pics, I just saw that train at Leicester

 

[Robin Procter]

Great pics, I just saw that train at Leicester

.... Thanks!
It was probably 1Z23 travelling on from Bristol back to Derby.

 

[wensley]

I'm a big fan of the IM fleet given it often brings loco hauled trains to far-flung parts of the network. The Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) fleet is only capable of recording at 30mph which also produces chance for plenty of nocturnal images which is my main interest.

Here's a few from my collection further illustrating some of the variety in the fleet.

Note: Since the changes in regulations regarding the requirement for Controlled Emission Toilets (CET) on UK mainline rolling stock, Network Rail have hired a number of ex-Caledonian Sleeper Mk2 BUOs to serve this purpose in UTU formations. In some of the images below some Photoshop manipulation has been used to produce a 'uniform' yellow rake!

The NMT (Mk3 Stock) on arrival at Darlington Up SS. The train is currently operating with 'non-NR' power cars with the dedicated fleet (43013/14/62) out of service for ETCS fitment and major overhaul. Here ex-EMR (now Colas) 43274 is seen leading the train into the sidings with the four-weekly 1Q35 recording trip from Hull to Darlington via Newcastle.

Operating vice NMT (which was stopped on exam) a Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) set is seen on the S&C at Ais Gill with the four-weekly 1Q18 West Line/S&C to York circuit which then records to Manchester and back to Leeds before return to Derby. At this time the trains still stabled at Heaton but have since moved to outstable at Darlington. 37025 leads with 37099 training. Note MENTOR is the final vehicle to provide OLE recording capabilty.

A 'standard' PLPR run in the form of the Yorkshire circuit that also operates on a four-weekly basis. 37099 is seen leading 1Q64 to Scarborough which is part of the Monday circuit with the train covering various other lines in Yorkshire / the North West over the remainder of the week.

Another regular PLPR formation. This shot shows the Mk1 BG generator vehicle behind the loco and the lights for the test equipment are visible on the PLPR coach which is second in the rake.

37116 (yet again!) this time illustrating the inclusion of MENTOR in a regular PLPR formation - presumably for brake force.

A final image of PLPR operations, this time to show some of the locomotive variety the trains have produced under Colas operations. Here is BR Green 37057 which has since been repainted into corporate colours.

An 'original' formation UTU prior to the addition of extra vehicles for brake force and water supply. 97301 is seen at Hellifield with a recovery run comprising only generator vehicle, test car and DBSO in 2017.

Another shot from Darlington, this time 37116 being prepared to depart with 3Q59 to Derby via Newcastle, the Durham Coast, ECML, Grantham and Nottingham. This train is a combined formation of UTU and Structure Gauging Train (SGT) vehicles. The leading two coaches are the SGT component of the train and are semi-permanently bar coupled.

37116 again, with a 'pure' UTU on this occasion. The train is 3Q22 Derby to Carlisle via the S&C. This train is conveying an NVA vehicle (former Motorail) immediately behind the loco which provides both added brake force and conveys water carriers for replenishment of the test car water supply - used in the testing process - when stabled at remote locations.

A second shot of 37025 during its stint on hire to Colas for IM work. Here the train is seen at Middlesbrough, on the return from Whitby, with 3Q97. This train is conveying a UTU test car, SGT coaches and an NVA water carrier.

A second shot of 3Q97 (Whitby UTU run) which runs six-monthly. Another hired loco, this time in the form of Europhoenix 37601. The train conveys the same combination of vehicles as above.

Despite spending a number of nights outstabled at remote locations, this UTU did not convey an NVA water carrier and instead was required to replenish water from the tanking points in York Station as a result. An additional Mk2 BSO was included behind 37254 for brake force purposes.

 

[Robin Procter]

I'm a big fan of the IM fleet given it often brings loco hauled trains to far-flung parts of the network. The Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) fleet is only capable of recording at 30mph which also produces chance for plenty of nocturnal images which is my main interest.

Here's a few from my collection further illustrating some of the variety in the fleet.

Note: Since the changes in regulations regarding the requirement for Controlled Emission Toilets (CET) on UK mainline rolling stock, Network Rail have hired a number of ex-Caledonian Sleeper Mk2 BUOs to serve this purpose in UTU formations. In some of the images below some Photoshop manipulation has been used to produce a 'uniform' yellow rake!

The NMT (Mk3 Stock) on arrival at Darlington Up SS. The train is currently operating with 'non-NR' power cars with the dedicated fleet (43013/14/62) out of service for ETCS fitment and major overhaul. Here ex-EMR (now Colas) 43274 is seen leading the train into the sidings with the four-weekly 1Q35 recording trip from Hull to Darlington via Newcastle.

Operating vice NMT (which was stopped on exam) a Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) set is seen on the S&C at Ais Gill with the four-weekly 1Q18 West Line/S&C to York circuit which then records to Manchester and back to Leeds before return to Derby. At this time the trains still stabled at Heaton but have since moved to outstable at Darlington. 37025 leads with 37099 training. Note MENTOR is the final vehicle to provide OLE recording capabilty.

A 'standard' PLPR run in the form of the Yorkshire circuit that also operates on a four-weekly basis. 37099 is seen leading 1Q64 to Scarborough which is part of the Monday circuit with the train covering various other lines in Yorkshire / the North West over the remainder of the week.

Another regular PLPR formation. This shot shows the Mk1 BG generator vehicle behind the loco and the lights for the test equipment are visible on the PLPR coach which is second in the rake.

37116 (yet again!) this time illustrating the inclusion of MENTOR in a regular PLPR formation - presumably for brake force.

A final image of PLPR operations, this time to show some of the locomotive variety the trains have produced under Colas operations. Here is BR Green 37057 which has since been repainted into corporate colours.

An 'original' formation UTU prior to the addition of extra vehicles for brake force and water supply. 97301 is seen at Hellifield with a recovery run comprising only generator vehicle, test car and DBSO in 2017.

Another shot from Darlington, this time 37116 being prepared to depart with 3Q59 to Derby via Newcastle, the Durham Coast, ECML, Grantham and Nottingham. This train is a combined formation of UTU and Structure Gauging Train (SGT) vehicles. The leading two coaches are the SGT component of the train and are semi-permanently bar coupled.

37116 again, with a 'pure' UTU on this occasion. The train is 3Q22 Derby to Carlisle via the S&C. This train is conveying an NVA vehicle (former Motorail) immediately behind the loco which provides both added brake force and conveys water carriers for replenishment of the test car water supply - used in the testing process - when stabled at remote locations.

A second shot of 37025 during its stint on hire to Colas for IM work. Here the train is seen at Middlesbrough, on the return from Whitby, with 3Q97. This train is conveying a UTU test car, SGT coaches and an NVA water carrier.

A second shot of 3Q97 (Whitby UTU run) which runs six-monthly. Another hired loco, this time in the form of Europhoenix 37601. The train conveys the same combination of vehicles as above.

Despite spending a number of nights outstabled at remote locations, this UTU did not convey an NVA water carrier and instead was required to replenish water from the tanking points in York Station as a result. An additional Mk2 BSO was included behind 37254 for brake force purposes.

.... Enhanced by Photoshop or not, your night time railway photography is outstanding! Thanks for sharing.