PERSONAL MEMORIES OF TEST CAR 2 BY DAVE BOWER
MOST slip/brake tests during the 1980s were carried out using a Class 47 locomotive – although, where tests involved heavier loaded or multiple coupled wagons, a higher-powered locomotive such as Class 86 was used.
Sometimes, however, the locomotive power provided was less adequate – such as the occasion when British Rail Research-liveried Class 31 No. 97204 had to be used to haul a slip/brake test with two 102-tonne coupled hopper wagons. The amount of slip/brake tests achieved during the running on this particular day was less than normal due to the Class 31 being somewhat
