HCT022
This machine is a Permaquip High Capacity Overhead Trolley and was built in 1988.
It provides a safe means of working at heights above the track and outreaches from the track.
BR acquired five production HCTs in 1986/7 followed by a further order of sixteen during 1988. This was followed by seven more – one for the civil engineer and six for the OHLM engineer. 029-033 were sold to Siemens in Spain during 1990/1. Four more were ordered (034-037) and delivered in 1992-4. HCT038 & 039 were built in 1995 and 040 was exported to New Jersey Transport Authority.
It is a fully self-contained unit with lighting and power take-off points. The diesel engine can be stopped and restarted from the platform. The HCT can be off-tracked and stabled alongside a work site in a similar way to other Permaquip machines. For the civil engineer the machine can be used for inspection and repair of tunnels and bridges, while for the OHLM engineer it is used to install, inspect and maintain overhead lines.
HCT022 was originally allocated to the RCE Southern Central region at Three Bridges. It was also numbered 14105 at this time. It stayed in this region for many years.
Between 1999 and 2003 it moved to the Great Eastern mainline, being observed around Ely, Broxbourne & Bishop’s Stortford.
In the summer of 2003 it moved to LHGS’s premises at Barton under Needwood for refurbishment. It remained there until summer 2004.
Following this it was sent to the newly refurbished yard at Horsham in Sussex but saw little (if any?) use. By this time it was owned by Amec Spie.
In late 2008 it’s new owners Colas Rail decided the machine was surplus to their requirements.
If anyone can add any more information please let us know! Photos would also be welcome to accompany the shots in our gallery.
A lot of the information above is gleaned from the various Platform 5 / SCT Publishing OTP books so we are very grateful to the publishers.