DATS the way to test the Midland overhead line 20201219--012

The DATS Midland Main Line overhead line test train passes Irchester (south of Wellingborough). This was the southbound leg of the fourth of the day's runs between Corby / Kettering and Bedford / Elstow, 1Q18 13.28 Corby - Elstow, which had left Corby a few minutes late, was held at Kettering for a while - during which time the train onwards was cancelled and then reinstated - and reached Elstow (south of Bedford) 38 minutes late. [Pole, 4/6 sections (~5.4m)]

The formation of the train is:
HST power car 43066 (ex-East Midlands Railway)
Electric loco 91128 INTERCITY 50 (ex-LNER)
Mark 3 DVT 82115
Mark 3 buffet 10237
Mark 3 FO 11074 (ex-125 Group)
Electric loco 90035 (DB)
Mark 3 TSO 12091 (ex-Greater Anglia)
Mark 3 TSO 12092 (ex-125 Group)
Mark 3 FO 11090 (ex-Greater Anglia)
Electric loco 91122 (ex-LNER)
HST power car 43054 (ex-East Midlands Railway)

The day's workings were:
5Q61 08.14 Rectory Junction - Kettering (transit move)
1Q12 09.56½ Kettering - Bedford (planned to start at Corby Signal Km3974 at 09.45 - north of station)
1Q13 10.31 Bedford - Kettering
1Q14 11.24 Kettering - Bedford
1Q15 11.51 Bedford - Kettering
1Q16 12.20 Kettering - Bedford
1Q17 12.51 Bedford - Corby
1Q18 13.28 Corby - Elstow [pictured]
1Q19 14.06 Elstow - Corby (but terminated at Sharnbrook to form 1Q20)
1Q20 15.19 Corby - Elstow (started at Sharnbrook 48E)
1Q21 16.20 Elstow - Corby (appears to have terminated Kettering)
5Q55 17.06 Kettering - Rectory Junction (transit move)

During some of the testing, the pantographs on all three electric locos were raised (although on this run, only the 90 and rear 91 have theirs raised), presumably simulating a trio of four-car EMUs. The trains were planned to cover both fast and slow lines between Kettering South Jn. and Bedford South Jn., as well as some of the crossovers between the two.

Unfortunately, I didn't realise this was running - nor that the weather was good - until sightings of the first run were posted on the EMRG gen group, and I missed the first two runs completely. The third run south was in very dark conditions, with rain starting, and I didn't bother getting out the camera; its return also passed in the dull. Having photographed the fourth southbound run in sun (above), I set up nearby for its return, but when it turned round at Sharnbrook decided to call it a day as the next run would not pass until after sunset.

To see my non-transport pictures, visit www.flickr.com/photos/137275498@N03/.

Taken on: December 19, 2020

Tags:

43066

91128

class 91

DATS

MML

Midland Main Line

OHL

OHLE

test train

Irchester

Wellingborough

ROG

Rail Operations Group « less

Sets appears in: • HST power cars post TOC use • ROG workings

Groups appears in: • UK Class 43 • UK Class 91 more » • Trains on the Midland Mainline • Class 91 electric locomotives • ROG Workings • Rail Operations Group (ROG) « less

Camera: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec, 35mm (=52mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1250)
Focal Length:	35mm (35mm equivalent: 52mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	-0.3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Contrast:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384
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