Identification of stock, loco hauled Track Recording Train 1988

[Flood]

Below is a link to a photo of the High Speed Track Recording Train taken at Cradlehall on 17 March 1988.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/roddymacphee/13797981304/sizes/h/

 

The middle two vehicles are easy: DB 999550 the High Speed Track Recording Coach and DB 997337 the dormitory coach for the track recording train.

 

The other two coaches are more of a problem. Looking through Departmentals.com gives not much joy, the photos are by and large too recent.

 

The leading Mk2 could be DB 977390 (ex 6410) a Western Region RCE barrier coach or ADB 977529 (ex 13487) a brake force runner (unlikely as ADB coaches were for the RM & EE not the RCE). Although Harris and Longworth say 6410 was not converted until 1989 it is listed as converted in the May 1987 Railway Observer and appears in the June 1987 Departmental Coaching Stock book.

 

The trailing Mk1 could be either DB 977388 (ex 3071) a London Midland Region RCE barrier coach or DB 977389 (ex 3049) another Western Region RCE barrier coach.

 

Does anyone have any better ideas or an actual answer? Many thanks in anticipation.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Flood

[Flood]

Well that's one coach sorted out.

 

DB 977390 at Norwich Crown Point 30 May 1987: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p636089032/h5aff10c#h5aff10c

 

It not only proves that the coach was converted in 1987, not 1989, but also that it was used for "Mobile Track Assessment" (as written on the coach).

 

The Mk1 could be either of the two vehicles I mentioned. By the lack of response it would appear that no one else knows the answer. A reasonably easy rake to make, I could choose either of the two Mk1 coaches and just wait to be proved wrong.

[Flood]

Six years later and Departmentals.com has provided the answer.

 

977390, 999550, 977337 and 977388 were all noted together at Bescot Yard on 23rd February 1988 and then at Stafford on 25th March 1988.