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Written by Marcus Dawson - 30 Oct 2003
last update by Mark Bearton - 09 Mar 2009
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Location notes
The East Midlands test centre is a private facility owned by Alstom. It is the base for any company wishing to use the Old Dalby Test track and is a covered facility for storing rolling stock. There is a set of offices and small sidings at Old Dalby.
Railway type and traffic
The location is the long term base for stock tesing on the Old Dalby Line. Previously Virgin commissioned the Pendolino fleet on the line. But now the line is being used to commission both new London Underground Stock and the IEP Trains.
There are also trips to the line by Serco test trains.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Asfordby
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Rural Leicestershire just outside Melton Mowbray, lots of green fields, hills and open spaces
Road directions
From the A6006 Melton Road roundabout to the west of Asfordby Village
Heading east along the A6006 there is a side turning directly after leaving the roundabout onto a road running parallel with the main road. If you miss the turning from the roundabout there are other opportunities to join this residential road. Continue along the side road and take the third turning on the left into Brook Crescent. If arriving in Asfordby Valley from the east the turning is opposite the Asfordby Valley village sign on the right.
Continue up this road, passing under the test track, for about 1/2 a mile and you will see a lay by on the right just before a sharp left turn in the road. There are pieces of concrete pipe and sort metal poles at the road side. Park here.
Walk up the footpath and you will come to the bridge over the line.

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Asfordby map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a lay by at the side of the road easily big enough for one, perhaps two cars.
Public transport
Arriva service 5A operates every 20 minutess from Leicester Bus Station via Syston Station and onto Melton Mowbray. Buses stop on the main A6006 road. From there walk up Welby Road. About 500 meters up the road there is a side road on the left which, via the footpath, leads to the bridge.
Alternatively West End Travel's number 23 bus operates from Melton Mowbray to Asfordby. This service also stops on the Welby Road. But check with the operator as the service only runs at certain times of the year.

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Amenities
None specific to Asfordby as it is a woodland site. The actual test centre is a private facility and access is not allowed to unauthorised visitors.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Asfordby

Googly map
Streetmap links
Asfordby general view map
Asfordby close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Asfordby



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Photographic notes
This site is a private facility and there are no other legitimate viewing locations in the area. The security gates at the other end of the site are about half a mile away form the shed, so there is no view there.

The bridge has a full cage to stop people jumping off and on to the 25KV lines but there are gaps cut in it through which a lens can be poked. Also the side furthest from the centre provides a good eye level view of the track.

Binoculars are required to see if there are any vehicles in the centre although some are parked out side the shed or on the sidings down the side of the line.
Links to photographs at this location

Rail-net - The Pendolino Test Track
The Old Dalby Test Track - then and now


General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 -The sidings


Fig 1 -The sidings

The storage sidings can be seen here in the centre of the picture

Fig 2 - The buildings


Fig 2 - The buildings

The left hand road coming out of the shed is the only one that is not obstructed by the large OL Mast

Fig 3 - The reverse angle off the bridge


Fig 3 - The reverse angle off the bridge

Since the left hand line is not electrified you can get some nice shots of stock without wires in the way

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