Network Rail train spotted, what's it for?

[nagsheadwarrior]

Was walking a section of the coast path from Teignmouth to Dawlish Warren today and this network rail train chugged past, I'm guessing it's checking the tracks for damage or something as this is the stretch the sea batters?
It stopped at Dawlish Warren for a bit then disappeared.
Also , anyone know what the old red 3 carriage train lying in an old siding by Dawlish Warren Station is?

[nagsheadwarrior]

[nagsheadwarrior]

[ecsrobin]

The train carriages have been there years and are accommodation. http://www.brunelholidaypark.co.uk/

As the train says on the side it’s the NMT (New measurement train) https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/...

[ConnectionError]

The carriage on the second photo says "New Measurement Train" on the side.

I would have a guess that there is some measurements being taken, at least by the second carriage.

[2xChevrons]

The wiki article does a good job of detailing the work of the NMT:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Measurement_Tr...

Basically it almost continuously roams the network, covering all the main lines and most of the secondary routes, on a four-week cycle and is packed with equipment and sensors to measure the condition and formation of the track and identify any defects, check the state of the overhead power lines (where appropriate) and test and monitor radio-based comms and signalling equipment. Network Rail uses the data generated by the NMT to plan engineering work and to confirm that the infrastructure is in the condition it's estimated to be in - the NMT was introduced after the Hatfield crash when it turned out that Railtrack and its contractors had essentially lost track (pun not intended...) of what condition huge swathes of the network were in and where any trouble-spots or developing issues were.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Ha thanks chaps, that's pretty cool, was a couple of train spotters out maybe they were spotting it.

[W124Bob]

There is a much smaller version of this train based in a Class 150 sprinter(built from new) for those lines where a HST or loco hauled train can't go.It's actually the carriage length which causes the most restrictions as a HST power car has a fairly modest axle weight of about 18 tons, about the same as an old class 25! Initially after privatisation NR owned power cars as well as the coaches with Serco providing a dedicated crew base, more recently Colas provide power and crews, with DRS for most non HST trains. As far as I'm aware NR no longer own any motive power.

[Bert Cheese]

W124Bob said:

Initially after privatisation NR owned power cars as well as the coaches with Serco providing a dedicated crew base, more recently Colas provide power and crews, with DRS for most non HST trains. As far as I'm aware NR no longer own any motive power.

I did wonder about that as previously the NMT seemed to have matching yellow power cars with camera/sensor packs below the windscreen.
Presumably the dedicated functions are not required at present or accomodated within the carriages now...those power cars appear to be whatever off-lease vehicles Colas could pick up at the time?

[towser44]

Often referred to as The Flying Banana

[Southerner]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Ha thanks chaps, that's pretty cool, was a couple of train spotters out maybe they were spotting it.

It's an HST (High Speed Train / "Intercity 125" etc), with various converted ex passenger coaches. It's increasingly popular with the spotters now that most of the in-service HSTs have gone, there aren't many left now!

The locos at either end ("power cars" in anorak speak ) are one ex LNER and one ex East Midlands Trains; indeed the only one they painted in their then-new white & purple livery I believe. Exciting stuff!

Edited by Southerner on Tuesday 17th January 19:20

[nagsheadwarrior]

I live in Paignton and sometimes see what I think are Intercity 125s to me or HST to those knowledgeable peoples would that be likely? Are the dark green GWR ones sometimes HST?

[W124Bob]

Some of those carriages are just empty shells, to run at 125mph max the HST needs a certain amount of brake force. Five coaches plus power cars, only 2 of those coaches have any real measuring equipment plus some onboard power generation in addition to ETH from the power cars. There will be a small kitchen/office area too.
Some might find this interesting http://www.traintesting.com/Index.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhVdTXh5XoA A NR official video with lots of interior views.

[fushion julz]

nagsheadwarrior said:

I live in Paignton and sometimes see what I think are Intercity 125s to me or HST to those knowledgeable peoples would that be likely? Are the dark green GWR ones sometimes HST?

Those are the shortened 4-car "Castle" sets used between Penzance and Bristol....All due to be withdrawn shortly as they no longer can be justified on cost or pollution grounds.