Network Rail Melton test track (RIDC Melton)
Network RailAsfordby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Network Rail owns and operates the Melton test track, also identified as RIDC Melton, with high-speed testing at Old Dalby. It is an operational railway testing and trialling facility for rolling stock, signalling, infrastructure, communications and technology. The operator describes a 13-mile line up to 125 mph and a separate four-mile line up to 60 mph. Use the official test tracks enquiry form to agree the vehicle, test plan, track configuration and arrangements. Published conditions distinguish electrified sections, ETCS availability and quoted additional services.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Operational Melton facility
- Network Rail’s Melton test track is an operating testing and trialling facility, also named RIDC Melton. The operator describes the high-speed line at Old Dalby and gives Unit F, Melton Commercial Park, Asfordby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3JL.
- Separate test lines
- The operator lists 13 miles of high-speed track up to 125 mph and four miles of slower track up to 60 mph. The high-speed line includes 11 miles of live overhead electrification. Actual speed and configuration need agreement for the planned test.
- Railway systems and performance
- Melton’s brochure lists rolling-stock, ETCS, brake, wheel-slip/adhesion, pantograph, acoustic and tunnel pressure-pulse testing, plus GSM-R and a 5G test bed. These are Melton-specific descriptions with track and access conditions.
- Current test-use enquiry
- The operator directs facility-use enquiries to its test tracks enquiry form. It gives testtracks@networkrail.co.uk and Business Support Manager James Lea at james.lea@networkrail.co.uk for other queries. The current brochure also gives the shared testtracks email.
Testing capabilities
High- and low-speed rolling-stock trials
Melton’s two separate lines support testing and trialling of new and modified rolling stock, including verification and validation activities. The published 125 mph and 60 mph limits apply to the respective tracks. Confirm the vehicle, test objective, run plan, permitted speed and required electrical configuration.
Vehicle performance and railway interfaces
The Melton brochure lists brake-performance validation, wheel-slip protection and adhesion testing, single/dual pantograph testing and rolling-stock rescue/recovery. Agree the installation, operating conditions, instrumentation, safety arrangements and evidence needed for the proposed trial.
Signalling and communications trials
Melton supports advanced-signalling and telecommunications trials, with ETCS, GSM-R voice/data and a 5G test bed listed. ETCS capability is confined to the Down Reversible Line. ENIF operations require at least six weeks’ notice, and 5G testbed use is quoted on request.
Acoustic and tunnel aerodynamic testing
The owner’s Melton section lists an acoustic noise test site and aerodynamic pressure-pulse testing in tunnels. Its acoustic-site certification wording is a provider claim, qualified in standards. Noise-site use is an additional quoted service. Confirm the test procedure, instrumentation, operating conditions and report required.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Down Reversible Line and electrified sections | 13-mile line up to 125 mph. An 11-mile section is listed at 125 mph with 25 kV. Separately hired five-mile sections are listed at 90 mph with 25 kV | The current operator page corroborates 13 miles of track with 11 miles of live overhead electrification. The shorter section-hire limits remain distinct, with no assumption that every section, vehicle or configuration permits 125 mph. |
| Up Reversible Line | Four miles up to 60 mph with 25 kV. 630–750 V DC fourth rail available on request | The 2026/27 table ties this specification to the Up Reversible Line. The brochure’s overview separately refers to 630 V DC third/fourth rail. Agree the required installation and availability directly. ETCS is not available on this line. |
| Unit F maintenance roads | Roads 1–3 are each 229 m long. Road 1 is fully pitted, roads 2 and 3 have a fixed-crane safe working load stated as 1.8 tons | The provider’s unit word “tons” is retained. These are maintenance and handling facilities, without converting the unit, summing crane ratings or treating them as a test-load capacity. Confirm the vehicle and handling plan. |
| Road 0 lifting and jacking | Vehicle lengths 17 to 26 m, with lifting capacity stated as up to 100 tons | This is a separate lifting/jacking road, with a lift supervisor included in the published row. The unit is retained as published. It is not a mechanical test-force rating or a guarantee for every vehicle and lift configuration. |
Access and contact
Use the test tracks enquiry form linked from Network Rail’s official test tracks page to request Melton facility use. For other queries, the page gives testtracks@networkrail.co.uk and Business Support Manager James Lea at james.lea@networkrail.co.uk. The current brochure gives Unit F, Melton Commercial Park, Asfordby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3JL. Provide the vehicle or technology, test objective, run plan, required infrastructure and reporting. The Final 2026/27 price list is dated February 2026, with prices valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Confirm availability and a quotation, including separate traction-electricity charges, noise-site or 5G use and ENIF notice requirements.
Facility contact
- Address
- Unit F, Melton Commercial Park
Asfordby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3JL - Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
- Provider-described acoustic noise test site
- The Melton brochure describes a certified acoustic noise test site, and the price-list notes refer to the TSI Noise Test Site. These are provider descriptions. The exact standard or revision, certificate, certifying body and accredited testing scope were not verified. Agree the required procedure and reporting before commissioning noise work.
What to confirm with the facility
- The line lengths, maximum speeds and electrification are configuration-specific. The Down Reversible Line’s 13-mile and 11-mile entries differ from its five-mile section hires. The Up Reversible Line has a separate 60 mph limit and requested DC fourth-rail supply. ETCS is available on the Down Reversible Line only.
- ENIF operations require at least six weeks’ notice. Noise-site and 5G testbed use require separate prices on request. Traction electricity is excluded from track prices and is subject to VAT and a 5% administration charge. Workshop inclusions and support are subject to availability, and the notes state no diesel fuel supply on site.
- The acoustic-site certification wording does not establish a verified standard revision, certifying body or accredited laboratory scope. Test-track hire and trial results do not themselves establish approval for the proposed vehicle or technology to enter service.
- Melton and Tuxford are separate facilities. Tuxford’s rail-plant assurance rig, dummy infrastructure and the ultrasonic demonstration in the operator story are not allocated to Melton. Melton’s cranes and lifting road are handling facilities rather than test-load ratings.
- Agree the test plan, vehicle configuration, route access, instrumentation, competence and safety responsibilities, acceptance evidence, reporting, costs and programme with the operator.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Reviewed by Arc on 1 October 2026 using fresh official Network Rail test-track and story pages and the currently linked 2026/27 brochure. The main page’s original metadata records publication on 29 April 2025 and modification on 28 April 2026. The story was published on 12 May 2025 and modified on 3 June 2025. The brochure’s price section is dated February 2026, with validity from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Its PDF creation/modification metadata are 15 May 2026, while the 2025/04 URL path is not treated as publication. Melton and Tuxford descriptions remain separate, with operational access distinguished from a booking or approval guarantee.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Network Rail current test tracks and enquiry route
The page identifies the operating Melton/Old Dalby test track, current use enquiry form and James Lea/shared testtracks email for other queries. It links the 2026/27 brochure. Original metadata records publication on 29 April 2025 and modification on 28 April 2026, separate from this review.
Network Rail test tracks brochure and 2026/27 price list
The current page links this four-page PDF. Melton rows describe the two tracks, shed and lifting equipment, signalling/communications and acoustic testing. The price section is Final 2026/27, dated February 2026, with prices valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. PDF creation/modification metadata are 15 May 2026. The 2025/04 upload path is not a verified publication date, and adjoining Tuxford facilities are not assigned to Melton.
Network Rail operating test tracks context
The story names Network Rail as owner/operator, confirms Melton’s two track lengths and speeds, and describes third-party use. Publication is 12 May 2025 and original modification metadata are 3 June 2025. Its Tuxford ultrasonic demonstration is not treated as a Melton facility method.