Last week's Sleaford wagon move mystery

[stivesnick]

Hi 

When I moved to Sleaford at the end of last year, there were two open wagons in the sidings adjacent to the station. I assumed they were crippled wagons removed from a passing aggregates train, although they could be there to move waste materials from the work being done in the area. 

 

Over the last few days one of the wagons has been moved to the other siding. This raises two questions, why did it move and how was it moved? 

 

Has it been repaired and it was moved to confirm it was fit to operate again? Has Network Rail adopted model railway practice and a big hand has decended from the sky to move it? There have been track machines based in the sidings from time to time, so was this used to move the wagon.

 

Any thoughts on this welcome.

 

Photos show original and current locations.

 

Regards 

 

Nick 

[TravisM]

As JRA wagons are being used on the Acton - Peterborough HS2 spoil trains, they could be cripples sent up from Peterborough as there's no real room for them there to be repaired.  As the spoil train is contracted to DB Cargo and most of Peterborough Westwood yard is operated by GBRf, there might not be any siding space.  Also, as they are leased from Touax, they might want them repaired there?

 

As to why one has been moved, who knows and as Network Rail stable their track machines there, they might have moved it?

[stivesnick]

Thanks Travis 

 

I did find this video on youtube showing a Class 66 with a single wagon from Sleaford to Doncaster so similar moves might still be possible. A great video for anyone worried about the length of modern freight trains!

 

Nick 

 

 

[GMKAT7]

Good afternoon folks,

 

The photos don't show any red cards on the wagons, unless they were on the other side.

 

A red card would mean the wagon(s) was not permitted to move until repair work has been completed satisfactorily, unless it was 'wheel-skated ' at reduced speed to a repair location.

 

So, no red card means the wagons should be okay to be moved in those sidings.

Unless someone knows better?

 

Cheers, Nigel.