BR Test Car "Iris" on SSL in 1987

[Deleted]

Just saw this posted on wnxx. Upminster, Victoria, Earl's Court, Shepherds Bush and Farringdon. Also features D and C stock.

[coyote]

I saw the test train reverse E to W at Earls Court, I was very surprised to see it, I think it went back via Olympia to reach BR tracks.

[christopher125]

Apparently *not* IRIS itself but another departmental DMU, Lab 5 - www.traintesting.com/Lab%205.htm

[norbitonflyer]

There were two "Iris"'s - the first was an early Derby "Lightweight" single unit, the second a class 101 Metrocammell twin unit, aka Lab 19. The one in the film is a class 103 Park Royal set

[roythebus]

I'm sure the link from LT to BR at Olympia was removed in the early 1980s. I have a picture taken from the cab of a 455 I was driving one day past Wimbledon Park depot of Test Coach Iris on the SW down main. It was visiting the Underground and I believe access was via Wimbledon, East Putney then onto its jaunt of the District. That was probably about 1985.

[Deleted]

The points at Olympia 4 points were still on the LU side until 2000 not sure when the NR side was removed

[fish7373]

IF i`am right it stabled at Northfields depot once if i can remember no camera then.

[brigham]

Interesting to note that people are wanting to board it at Earls Court.
What was the purpose of the run? Trials for Dieselisation? We had that on Tyneside.

[class411]

Apr 23, 2018 7:39:19 GMT brigham said:

Interesting to note that people are wanting to board it at Earls Court.
What was the purpose of the run? Trials for Dieselisation? We had that on Tyneside.

Dieselisation of what?

Has there ever been a case of an electrified line changing to diesel operation?

[norbitonflyer]

Apr 23, 2018 7:39:19 GMT brigham said:

What was the purpose of the run? Trials for Dieselisation? We had that on Tyneside.

No, it was a track recording vehicle - this was before LU had built its own.

Apr 23, 2018 11:18:04 GMT class411 said:

Has there ever been a case of an electrified line changing to diesel operation?

Tyneside, in the 1960s. The Heysham branch, also in the 1960s. Angerstein Wharf branch (and various SR sidings) when the "booster" class 71s were replaced by electrodiesel class 73s. Sheffield to Penistone (direct route - trains were later diverted via Barnsley)

Newport to Shildon was converted to from electric to steam in the 1930s

[Chris M]

Epping-Ongar.
It might (but hopefully wont) happen on the Isle of Wight.

[coyote]

This is the dmu I saw at Earls Court.

www.railcar.co.uk/images/4823

[1018509]

I think I saw Iris once at Rayners Lane long before the days of mobile phones/cameras so no photos to show but some time between 1973 and 1993. I also saw a class 47 pulling a BR breakdown train through Rayners Lane at the time of the Kilburn incident again, alas no pictures of a still, I believe, unique event as in those days BR diesels on LU tracks were as rare as hens' teeth.

[roythebus]

BR diesels on LU track were a fairly common event in the early 1960s as diesels took over from steam on the remaining BR goods yard workings.

So we had diesels on the east end of the Central out as far as Ongar and the Hainault loop, on the Northern to Edgware via Mill Hill and high Barnet, access via the Finsbury Park-Finchley bit; on the District via the now lifted Gunnersbury triangle to West Ken and High Street coal yards, thought these were mostly steam hauled until closure in 1964/65 and of course on the Met.

Remember too there were BR DMUs through from Liverpool Street to Ongar.