HST power cars run on Severn Valley Railway
HIGH Speed Train power cars have run on the Severn Valley Railway as part of a contract with main line operator Colas Rail.
As reported last issue, five of the Class 43 power cars – Nos. 43251, 43257, 43272, 43274 and 43277 – have been in store at the SVR's Arley station while awaiting a return to main line use on Network Rail test trains.
The contract includes access to SVR facilities such as inspection pits to carry out work on the locomotives, and on August 23, Nos. 43272 and 43274 were hauled to Kidderminster by Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance for an exam and brake pad change.
The following afternoon, they made a test run under their own power along the length of the SVR, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and back to Arley.
Visiting Class 31 No. 31466, from the Dean Forest Railway, also moved Nos. 43251 and 43257 to Kidderminster for the same work to be undertaken on September 2. All five power cars are expected to leave the SVR shortly.