The aftermath of the Nuclear-Flask Crash Test Train, Old Dalby, 1984.

On 17th July 1984 the crash-worthiness of a nuclear-flask was demonstrated at the Old Dalby Test Track by purposefully running 138 ton, 1-Co-Co-1, diesel locomotive 46009 and three Mk1 coaches at around 100 mph into one.

Afterwards, the local Great Central Railway was offered any reusable coach fittings that it could take away.  This was too good an opportunity to miss; to go along and investigate the remains of the locomotive and coaches, in August 1984.

1-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.  The train had travelled from the normal Old Dalby Test Track and off the end of a specially laid siding on the left where the nuclear flask lay. The nuclear flask had been removed by the time of this visit.  On the right the normal test track can be seen heading off into the tunnel.

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2-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.  This shows the remains of the 138 ton, 1-Co-Co-1, diesel locomotive 46009 and the three Mk1 coaches.  By the time of this visit the nuclear flask had been removed.

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3-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.
The locomotive is “Class 46” 46009.  It is facing a dead-end at what was once a loading dock for iron stone on a siding off the main line.

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4-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train showing the front of the diesel locomotive, “Class 46” 46009, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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5-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train showing the cab front of the locomotive, “Class 46” 46009, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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6-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train showing the front of the 138 ton diesel locomotive, “Class 46” 46009, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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7-of-16) The aftermath of the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train showing the rear of the locomotive, “Class 46” 46009, and the front of the first coach, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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8-of-16) Opening one of the engine inspection covers of “Class 46” diesel locomotive 46009 after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.  This shows one bank of the twin-bank 12-cylinder Sulzer 12LDA28-B engine, with the nearest rocker-box cover removed.

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9-of-16) The engine compartment of “Class 46” diesel locomotive 46009 after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.  This image is shown upright for easier understanding, but the locomotive was actually on its side.

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10-of-16) The rear cab of “Class 46” diesel locomotive 46009 after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.  This image is shown upright for easier understanding, but the locomotive was actually on its side.

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11-of-16) A “1-Co” bogey from “Class 46” diesel locomotive 46009 after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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12-of-16) A traction motor of the “Class 46” diesel locomotive 46009, and general debris, after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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13-of-16) A very compressed buffer off class 46 diesel locomotive 46009 after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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14-of-16) Interior of an open coach after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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15-of-16) Interior of an open coach after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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16-of-16) Interior of a corridor coach after the Nuclear Flask Test Crash train, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, Aug. 84.

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Many of the photographs in these railway photograph galleries are available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.  Attribution should include a link to www.nigeltout.com.