(01 Jul 2023, 2:10 am)XQ Zero wrote One of the new class 555 units (believed to be 555003) has ventured to South Hylton this morning. I understand this is the first time one of these units has operated on Network Rail lines under its own power.
The following timetable was to apply.
00:59 South Gosforth to South Hylton arr 01:48,
01:53 South Hylton to Brockley Whins arr 02:15,
02:20 Brockley Whins to South Hylton arr 02:48,
02:48 South Hylton to Brockley Whins arr 03:10,
03:15 Brockley Whins to South Hylton arr 03:38 and
03:42 South Hylton to South Gosforth arr 04:32.
It has run as 2I81 on Network Rail infrastructure. There should be test trains, all running as 2I81, on 8th, 15th and 22nd July running to the above times. The first journey was late and did not arrive at South Hylton until about 02:25. Anyone looking at the www.realtimetrains.co.uk will find the schedules but not the actual times. The schedules have not been activated so actual times can not be picked up.
EDIT: 03:54. The second arrival at South Hylton was at about 03:30. The unit then ran straight back to South Gosforth thus one of the short return trips between South Hylton and Brockley Whins did not run.
Glad to see them finally come this way!
When are more due to arrive?, it seems to of gone very quiet.