This article was created and closed on Thursday 18 March 2010
Above: Our train in Tonbridge West Yard. Beside it is seen a trainload of fresh ballast, for a forthcoming track-renewal project.
This test run to Tonbridge, in preparation for Saturday’s Solent Sentinel railtour, was also the first main-line run for our ex 4-CEP trailer 70262 since August 2005 when our train was stopped for the fitting of Central Door Locking.
The CEP-coach, which passed its Ultrasonic Axle Test on 4 November 2009, has also been repainted.
The test run was successful, with no abnormalities detected with the operation or condition of any vehicle.
The train was formed thus:
60116 Mountfield – 60529 – 70262 – 69337 – 60501 – 60118 Tunbridge Wells ⇒ leading outbound to Tonbridge.
5Y19 St Leonards 09+50 Ore 10/10 Appledore 10/43 Ashford 10/59 Headcorn 11/12 Padoock Wood 11/21 Tonbridge West Yard 11.36 5Y20 Tonbridge West Yard 12+35 Paddock Wood 12/50 Cranmore Loop 13.02 - 13.26 Ashford 13/46 Rye 14/18 Ore 14/39 Hastings 14/46 St Leonards 14.53
All photos on this page are by Andy Armitage.
Above: Motor coach 60118 Tunbridge Wells leads at Ore station, as the six-coach train awaits clearance of the single line to Rye.
Above: Our DEMU pauses in Tonbridge Yard, where a class 73 and a snowplough are among the other inhabitants.
Above: Motor coach 60116 Mountfield brings up the east end of the train in Tonbridge Yard. Alongside is Network Rail de-icing car 68505, formerly the Driving Motor Luggage Van of a Class 489 Gatwick Express unit.
Above: Our train awaits its path out of Cranmore Down goods loop, west of Headcorn.