Hidden amongst the trees, slowly rotting away are some concrete trestles which used to have 5" gauge track mounted on them and was used by British Rail Research Depot, where development work was carried out for the Channel Tunnel Railway.
This was part of the aerodynamics laboratory.
“This test track was known as the TIT rig (Trains in Tunnels) and was for testing pressure dispersal between passing train, hence the Channel tunnel having 3 tunnels, 1 up, 1 down and a service tunnel between them to act as a pressure release system for the moving trains. This was all developed here at the Mickleover and at BR Research on London Road.
The test track stretched from behind the old Mickleover station signal box to the first farmers bridge, the one that is just two stacks of bricks now.”
I would like to thank Andy Turner for the above info.
“The catapult used to fire the model train was made from 4 bungee ropes and 100M long, the track bed was level to within 1mm. To test its power they used a wooden model first and the first time this was tested it fired straight through the end of the building !”
I would like to thank Malcom Spencer for the above info.
Strange to think that this contribution to a major industrial triumph has been left to rot here.
27 June 2026
Thank you for sharing this article. This is a very interesting article and also an understated find in terms of the importance of the large amount of technical research in various different aspects that related to railways that was carried out by the British Rail Research division during its time of operation. Please could I take this opportunity to promote the following internet site: Welcome to the Mickleover Test Track pages. This internet site is part of the Old Dalby Test Track internet site, http://www.old-dalby.com/, which provides a very good detailed history of both the Old Dalby Test Track and also the Mickleover Test Track. The Old Dalby Test Track is today managed by Network Rail and has received substantial investment in it’s infrastructure.
I have included the Network Rail internet link for the Old Dalby Test Track below, Test tracks - Network Rail .
thanks, glad you enjoyed my video. Yes I know that website as Ive been in touch with Dave Coxon probably way back in 2006 about that test track as it happens.
I used to play on this track, I lived in Mackworth estate,1964-76, I rember hearing the test trains. When I closed I spent many enjoyable years walking the the tracks towards mickleover, walked throught that tunnel many times.
I those days at end was old station, and a wire fence, behind was still trains, and track, and the station.
The old lines were very visible, the pumice stone on the tracks, spent many years throwing those, the banks were just yellow grass, which we rolled down. I recently visited in 2024, heart breaking to see it’s all gone, I had very good memories there, there are many tunnels in the banks which I dug, which in fact I found many old Victoria bottles, possible a Dump site before Macworth. anyway thanks for sharing, good times.
