Old Dalby Test Track

During the mid-1990s, as a result of British Rail's privatisation, ownership of the line was transferred to BRB (Residuary) Limited, while its historic main user, the Research Division, was abolished.

During the 2010s, there was public speculation that the test track could form part of a direct link between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray for the purpose of re-introducing a passenger service.

The Old Dalby Test Track has its origins in the Beeching cuts, which saw the intentional rundown of the Midland Railway's main line, cumulating in its closure to the majority of traffic during 1966.

[2] Following the line's full closure as a through route in 1968, work was undertaken to convert this roughly eight-mile section into a dedicated test track; during September 1970, with the modifications complete, it was re-opened and promptly put to use for the Research Division's Advanced Passenger Train APT-E project.

[7] As a consequence of the privatisation of Britain's railways in the mid-1990s, the Old Dalby Test Track became the property of BRB (Residuary) Limited, a specially-created body established to own former BR assets that were not sold off or assigned to other entities.

[8] During 2001, the Old Dalby Test Track was leased to the rolling stock manufacturer Alstom Transport, which electrified the former Down line using 25 kV AC OHLE at a reported cost of £25 million.

When Alstom withdrew from the United Kingdom train-building market, the track was threatened with closure before being leased to Metronet in 2007 to test and commission London Underground S Stock trains being manufactured by Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.

[10] The public services group Serco was awarded the contract to manage the Old Dalby Test Track on behalf of Metronet, giving it the opportunity to attract other users.