Old Dalby Test Track: UK 2009-2010

I guess this would be my first ever urbex adventure.

I had no idea the tunnels existed. Just happened to stumble across one from an old railway bridge. So I went and took some photos. Upon later research I found there was three tunnels all quite close to each other Thes are Grimston tunnel (1193m), Saxelby tunnel (497m) and Asfordby tunnel (383m) These images are taken over a few visits and some long walks!

The Old Dalby Test Track is used for testing new designs of trains. It is between Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and Edwalton on the course of the Midland Railway's route between Kettering and Nottingham. It closed to passengers in 1968 and is 13.5 miles in length.

After the closure as a through route, it was converted into a test track for the Advanced Passenger Train APT-E project, re-opening in September 1970. The track saw extensive use in the heyday of the Research Division and was used for pantograph development and OHLE testing.

It seems the line is now in use again and known as RIDC Melton (Rail Innovation and Development Centre). Probably should of done more research before going to visit again. Various testing is ongoing for the London underground and sound testing for new Hitachi trains. New trial track has also been laid here recently.

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Asfordby Tunnel

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, cobwebs galore coming from the track.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, old wooden sleepers.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, the one half had more modern concrete sleepers.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel. Sunset**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, not sure why this dust appeared.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, Costain sleepers.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, another sunset**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Asfordby Tunnel, the glow of the setting sun.**

Grimston Tunnel

**Old Dalby Test Track. After Asfordby tunnel it becomes a single track**

**Old Dalby Test Track. The air shafts made for nice light.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Looking up the air shaft**

The walk between the tunnels.

**Old Dalby Test Track. The sleepers were rotten along here.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Even interesting wildlife.**

**Old Dalby Test Track. Nice walk between the tunnels.**