Great Western Coffee Shop

Just happened to see this going into Warminster this afternoon - going Salisbury direction. Was hoping that it might be coming back a little later, but RTT told me it wasn't. Is there anywhere that might give advance notice of another visit from this unusual train ?

It'll be back on the same diagram in 5 weeks. You can see it on the Westbury avoider tomorrow (Friday) when it visits Penzance.

Many thanks for that. If I follow the times for tomorrow correctly, I will look for it at Heywood Rd Jct at 1930 (ish). Westbury White Horse hill with my 600mm lens might be a good bet.
I'll keep an eye out in 5 weeks as well for a visit to Warminster.

You can try following the NMT through RTT, to see its future workings. However, there are several of those per day, so it's easier just to look at future workings at Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail). Some of those are other things, so you need to check them individually (having guessed which look likely NMT runs). Operations are listed several months ahead,  though note that it does stay away from home some nights.

The key thing to check is whether the train is classed as freight (ZZ) and timed as an HST. I guess there could also be some stock testing like that, but I can't think of anything else. Or, maybe you can find a way of searching the set of trains defined in the data feeds, looking for that combination...

Somewhat strangely, when I  saw it sat in Reading some months ago, and clicked on the Open Train Times "box" for it (which I recall had two Zs in the code) to see where it was off to, it gave me journey details for a suburban service somewhere in Kent!

 Got it..........albeit 25 mins late !

(https://i.postimg.cc/KYCJbzjN/JWN05992.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBJkJbk8) (https://postimages.org/)

Just passing as it was leaving Paignton at 15.40 this afternoon. When I got home I looked at real trains and it was passing Taunton signalled on the Bridgewater line. I think it was numbered 111P. There was another train ahead numbered xxxP and going up towards Westbury.

It had a very full diagram.............

1) Reading to Paignton via Penzance; followed by...
2) Paignton to Taunton via Bristol; and finally...
3) Taunton to Reading via Newbury.

It managed to find drivers with route route knowledge, so no shortage of crewing.
Is there another crew member on board (i.e. Train Manager?)
Are the crew from Railfreight or 'local TOC's'?

To my knowledge the train is operated and crewed by SERCO staff on behalf of Network Rail although I could be wrong, I expect a forum member with more knowledge will correct me If I am incorrect.

It does not carry a train manager as its not a passenger train as such.

Colas currently resource the train crew for the workings. There is a set of dedicated drivers who, depending on which operator has the contract, transfer across under TUPE. They were previously SERCO and later DB. Colas also provide the traction for many of the locomotive hauled monitoring trains.

...and presumably no buffet or trolley service! ;D

Quite right but it does have a kitchen area to have a brew up whenever they feel like one and it also has overnight accommodation which one could only rate as hostel class.

Now - is there something to be looking at there for regular trains - a bunk bed carriage on daytime trains, with a small kitchen in which passengers can make their own brew?  Or in these days of risk, health and safety a fixed vending machine for teas and coffees, and another for cold drinks, cakes, biscuits, crisps, etc.

If anyone is interested, it just went through Kemble (15:10 Tuesday 6 Aug) heading towards SWI...

... and according to http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H23038/2019/08/06/advanced (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H23038/2019/08/06/advanced) (which I assume refers) it's coming back again shortly.

Snap. I saw it leaving Derby at 0705 this morning!

..........flying banana - good name for a mobile buffet  ;D

Careful, you will set member B off again........ ;D ;D (no offence Broadgage)

As I write, I can see this train in Derby platform 6.  It's off to the seaside today - Skeggy this time.

Interesting... Having seen the Flying Banana at Kemble on Tuesday (see post above), something even more odd - and just as yellow - came by today. A bit of Googling here: https://rail-record.co.uk/guide-to-network-rail-test-trains/ (https://rail-record.co.uk/guide-to-network-rail-test-trains/) (very useful general guide to Network Rail Test Trains) revealed it to be a UTU - Ultrasonic Testing Unit. A rake of five yellow coaches with a DBSO (as described) at the western end and what looked like a Class 37 in old BR black livery (?) at the eastern end.

RTT identifies it as 383Q - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H23265/2019/08/08/advanced (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H23265/2019/08/08/advanced) from Canton Pullmans to Swindon and back. It seemed to trundle at a much more leisurely pace than the Banana.

My question to those in the know: is this standard practice - the NMT does a run over a section of track at speed and the UTU follows a short time later to do a more comprehensive ground radar sweep?

Caught up with Flying Banana on Friday for its trip to the West Country.  Every six weeks or so it runs from Reading to Penzance, back to Dawlish Warren, then to Paignton before returning to Taunton.

Saw it where it reversed at Dawlish Warren and then again as it travelled alongside the Teign Estuary (although the light wasn't brilliant at that point)

(https://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/banana1.jpg)

(https://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/banana2.jpg)

(https://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/banana3.jpg)

I had an invite to travel on the train. An excellent lunch was provided, poached salmon, new potatoes and salad, followed by cheesecake with cream. No wine, but it IS a workplace.

That would have been the exception, normally the teams on board bring their own meals.

There will be a 'designated person in charge' to take on the operational rolls the Guard / Train Manager

.......which rather begs the question as to why members of the public are being invited on board for jollies and an "excellent lunch" at the taxpayer's expense!!!  :o

I do not know the circumstances of broadgage's event, but several recent charity auctions with a railway theme have included bids for groups to 'have a trip on the NMT'. These often reach significant values. My guess is that this may have been one of those occasions - so an exception rather than 'the norm' ?

I had an invite from a friend working in the rail industry,  not certain of the full circumstances. Lunch was self service but still very good.