67023 + 67027 1X23 15:13 Salisbury - Southampton Up Loop - Salisbury
The same two test cars as one year ago, but the runner and facilities coaches were different.
67027 Charlotte
9806 Network Rail support coach (with retention toilet)
977997 Radio Survey Train Test coach
72631 Plain Line Pattern Recognition vehicle "PLPR1"
6397 Brake force runner (HST barrier until 2018)
67023 Stella
The train was running about 50 minutes early, not having had to wait at loops on the Exeter - Salisbury section earlier, and it beat me to Redbridge. Image by Ian Knight.
67027 leads the return.
9806 was built as Mk2E TSO 5840 to Lot 30844 in December 1972, converted to Open Brake Unclassified at Wolverton in December 1999 for Caledonian Sleeper use.
6397 was built as BG 81600, to Lot 30716 by Gloucester RC&W in June 1963, and was a 100 mph NEA with public address by 1979. Became 92190 in July 1983, to differentiate from the general BG series. Converted to HST barrier 6397 in February 1995. To test train use in 2018.
67023 on the rear.