Network Rail New Measurement Train

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43014 brings up the rear of the NMT at Dawlish sea wall on 10 February 2006.
43014 brings up the rear of the NMT at Dawlish sea wall on 10 February 2006.

The Network Rail New Measurement Train (NMT) assesses the condition of track so that engineers can determine where to work. It is converted from High Speed Train Class 43 power cars and Mark 3 coaches. It can check the condition of all main lines in Great Britain in a fortnight.

The train measures the contact between rails, wheels and the overhead electric supply line. Lasers and other instruments are used to make other measurements of the track geometry and other features such as overhead line height and stagger, and the track gauge, twist and cant. On the West Coast Main Line, particular care has to be taken to ensure that clearances are maintained for the use of tilting trains. The train captures video footage from the front and rear power cars, and video of the pantograph and wheel interfaces.

The NMT was launched in 2003, though the vehicles are much older than this. Due to its all-over yellow livery, it has been nicknamed "The Flying Banana". In 2005 it won an award for Innovation in Engineering at the Railway Forum/Modern Railways Innovation Awards. Its formation is power car, messing car, development systems vehicle, track recording systems vehicle, meeting coach with conference area, messing car, and power car.

It has three power cars, nos 43013, 43014 and 43062, the first being fitted with buffers.

The development systems vehicle includes a vibrating platform close to the rails, detecting missing Pandrol clips. The vehicle also houses the pantograph used to detect faults in overhead wires. White lights next to the pantograph project a line followed by cameras to enable the height and stagger of the overhead to be monitored. No traction or system power is drawn using the pantograph, as the train is diesel powered.

The track recording systems vehicle has banks of screens allowing the team of 12 operators to view a range of system outputs, including track faults, train location, and radio signal strength.

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