Measuring Train

[mattdaniels]

At Euston yesterday, long yellow train with what looked like old InterCity 125 locos at each end, with logos down the side saying "Network Rail Measuring Train".

It was sat there at the platform on tickover. What is it measuring?

[andy400]

I may be wrong, but I think that's the one that measures the state of the track - checking the geometry and levels are correct and what have you, identifying where maintenance might be required.

[mattdaniels]

That's the puppy. Thanks guys.

[Ross1988]

Seen this a few times, it measures Cant, Gauge, twist, and i think it records sleeper states and possibly rail integrity.

Not 100% sure though.

[mybrainhurts]

mattdaniels said:

At Euston yesterday, long yellow train with what looked like old InterCity 125 locos at each end, with logos down the side saying "Network Rail Measuring Train".

It was sat there at the platform on tickover. What is it measuring?

Passenger patience...

[bananapieface]

It has a high frame rate camera that detects defects and sprays paint onto the track near to the defect to alert engineers to the problem ie twist fault, engineers on board can analyse the data and give the track section manager a bking.

[Ross1988]

Thats pretty cool, i knew it measured twist, but didn't know it did that.

[bananapieface]

Ross1988 said:

Thats pretty cool, i knew it measured twist, but didn't know it did that.

If you're ever walking the track and there's red paint lines down the 4' then that's what's put it down. It drops the paint x yards from the defect (obviously as the train is moving) one of our trainees thought it was blood lol.

[Ross1988]

I've seen the lines, never knew thats where they came from.

What do you do Banana?

[bananapieface]

Ross1988 said:

I've seen the lines, never knew thats where they came from.

What do you do Banana?

S&T Section Supervisor.

[muckymotor]

^^^
That has driven past my workplace before, always wonderd what it did.

Also, one night I could hear a train approaching for quite a while which was making a tremendous noise. When it eventually came into view there were showers of sparks coming from the wheel areas, very impressive and noisy! Would it be cleaning the rails?

Edited by muckymotor on Saturday 9th January 18:06

[zollburgers]

muckymotor said:

^^^
That has driven past my workplace before, always wonderd what it did.

Also, one night I could hear a train approaching for quite a while which was making a tremendous noise. When it eventually came into view there were showers of sparks coming from the wheel areas, very impressive and noisy! Would it be cleaning the rails?

Edited by muckymotor on Saturday 9th January 18:06

I used to live next to a train station and one Sunday night at about 1:00am this thing came past, I could hear it coming about an hour before it got there. I believe it lifts up the track, sorts out the ballast, then lays it back down flat.

I have a video of it somewhere, it is bloody impressive, especially the noise it makes.

[williamp]

When I travel into Derby there is always all sorts of strange devices on the traks. Would love to know what they all do..

[bananapieface]

muckymotor said:

^^^
That has driven past my workplace before, always wonderd what it did.

Also, one night I could hear a train approaching for quite a while which was making a tremendous noise. When it eventually came into view there were showers of sparks coming from the wheel areas, very impressive and noisy! Would it be cleaning the rails?

Edited by muckymotor on Saturday 9th January 18:06

Rail grinder, reduces gauge corner cracking.

Hatfield disaster anyone?

[mattdaniels]

zollburgers said:

muckymotor said:

^^^
That has driven past my workplace before, always wonderd what it did.

Also, one night I could hear a train approaching for quite a while which was making a tremendous noise. When it eventually came into view there were showers of sparks coming from the wheel areas, very impressive and noisy! Would it be cleaning the rails?

Edited by muckymotor on Saturday 9th January 18:06

I used to live next to a train station and one Sunday night at about 1:00am this thing came past, I could hear it coming about an hour before it got there. I believe it lifts up the track, sorts out the ballast, then lays it back down flat.

I have a video of it somewhere, it is bloody impressive, especially the noise it makes.

Think you are talking about a different train.

The one I saw is this banana thing - looks like a normal passenger train, about 4 coaches (albeit with some windows blanked off) between two InterCity type locos. What you are talking about sounds like a "do-er" unit not the measuring train. I've seen something like this shunting up and down between Grove Park and Bromley North, its one long single unit making a heck of a noise.

[bananapieface]

High output ballast cleaner. ^^^

[mattdaniels]

Sounds like the dual flush on the bog in my new place.

[Ross1988]

bananapieface said:

Ross1988 said:

I've seen the lines, never knew thats where they came from.

What do you do Banana?

S&T Section Supervisor.

Ah right, i'm currently studying engineering at Sheffield with the aim of doing the network rail course they offer, with the final target of either getting into civils or S & T

[bananapieface]

Ross1988 said:

bananapieface said:

Ross1988 said:

I've seen the lines, never knew thats where they came from.

What do you do Banana?

S&T Section Supervisor.

Ah right, i'm currently studying engineering at Sheffield with the aim of doing the network rail course they offer, with the final target of either getting into civils or S & T

Civils the as the S&T are getting decimated after April.

[Ross1988]

bananapieface said:

Ross1988 said:

bananapieface said:

Ross1988 said:

I've seen the lines, never knew thats where they came from.

What do you do Banana?

S&T Section Supervisor.

Ah right, i'm currently studying engineering at Sheffield with the aim of doing the network rail course they offer, with the final target of either getting into civils or S & T

Civils the as the S&T are getting decimated after April.

Whats happening to the S&T? I've not rally had much to do with it in my line of work (Surveyor)

Really enjoy the civils though. Wont they need S & T for cross rail and HS2?