Mendip Rail Trial for 70003, 18th July 2019

The trial took place on Thursday evening with 7A91 22:50  Merehead - Acton.

70003 was selected and was run to and prepared at Southampton Maritime, then 0V70 light engine to Merehead in the midday period Thursday, seen here passing Romsey. There as then a Merehead - Westbury and return familiarisation run.

59203 followed the train as 00:14 Westbury - Acton. It was not needed, as with a 46 wagon 4495 tonnes load, 70003 made it out of the quarry with no pushing assistance (normally provided for Class 59 at over 3800 tonnes), then gained 15 minutes on a 54 minute schedule on the climb from Heywood Road Junction to Savernake. This would appear to be an a.c. traction advantage.

70003 returned to Maritime as 04:28 Acton - Southampton, and arrived over two hours early at Maritime at 04:55. It is due back on intermodal duties later in the day 19th July.

Flickr for 70003 this week - nothing visible from the trial, similarly on YouTube.