9th April 2020

Arriving at Chard Junction at 11.00 is Network Rail’s "New Measurement Train" with 43062 “John Armitt” leading the 1Q23 05.56 Reading to Salisbury into the loop, running non-stop back to Salisbury after quickly turning around Exeter. The train ran early today, thanks to the reduced SWR service presently operating: 58 early when it passed on the return journey. After a quick turnaround at Exeter the train was actually held at Exmouth Junction for over an hour. 43014 “The Railway Observer” was on the rear.

The five coaches in this train, starting from behind power car 43062:

977984 - Staff Coach
975814 - Conference Coach *
977993 - OHLE Test Coach
977994 - Track Recording Coach
975984 - Lecture Coach *

* - these two were converted from coaches used on the prototype HST.

Watch the train pass through on video - go to my You Tube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXCHumFdYw