| On the night of 30th July 97303 undertook wheelslip testing in an engineering possession from Machynlleth to Dovey Junction to accurately gauge how much ballast was needed in the loco to prevent wheelslip. This is because the ERTMS system isn't able to tolerate it and needs accurate speed information from the axles. To do this, 97301 dragged 303 - whose cabs had been filled with containers of water as ballast - and the five MRA wagons from Machynlleth to Dovey Junction where the train reversed and 303 then returned it to Machynlleth by the driver being instructed to create as much slip as he could, and thus we were treated to the sounds of the loco being repeatedly opened up to full power rapidly, and shut down. 97301 and 97303 and the wagons were stabled at Aberystwyth for these tests as there was no room at Machynlleth due to the Standard Class 4MT, its coaches, and 33207 occupying the Tank siding. The whole ensemble turned up on Monday evening behind 66101. |
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66101 with 97303 and 97301 plus 5 ballast wagons pass Cefn Bridge on the 6P52 14.00 Sandiacre Ballast Sidings to Aberystwyth. 864x648 270709-001.jpg |
97303 sits at Machynlleth having arrived from Aberyswyth, prior to being dragged by 97301 to Dovey Junction in order to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-001.jpg |
97303 sits at Machynlleth having arrived from Aberyswyth, prior to being dragged by 97301 to Dovey Junction in order to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-004.jpg |
97303 sits at Machynlleth having arrived from Aberyswyth, prior to being dragged by 97301 to Dovey Junction in order to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-006.jpg |
97303 sits at Machynlleth having arrived from Aberyswyth, prior to being dragged by 97301 to Dovey Junction in order to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-007.jpg |
97301 prepares to depart Machynlleth on the second drag to Dovey Junction in order for 97303 to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-008.jpg |
97301 prepares to depart Machynlleth on the third drag to Dovey Junction in order for 97303 to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-011.jpg |
97301 having arrived at Machynlleth with the third wheelslip test from Dovey Junction in order for 97303 to undertake the wheelslip tests on the return. 968x648 300709-014.jpg |
66096 passes Cefn Bridge with the 6P52 12.00 Aberystwyth to Toton, conveying 97303, 97301, and five MRA ballast wagons, after 97303 having undertaken ERTMS tests during the week. 864x648 010809-003.jpg |
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