Network Rail Tuxford test track (RIDC Tuxford)
Network RailTuxford, Nottinghamshire
Network Rail owns and operates Tuxford test track, also identified as RIDC Tuxford, at Lodge Lane Industrial Estate in Nottinghamshire. The site supports rolling-stock, plant, infrastructure and technology trials, with a rail-plant assurance rig and operator training. Sources agree on testing up to 75 mph, but give different track extents. Confirm the usable route, test configuration and speed directly. Use the operator’s test tracks enquiry form for facility use. Tuxford’s dummy overhead and conductor-rail infrastructure does not provide live 25 kV supply.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Operational Tuxford site
- The operator identifies Tuxford as an operating test-track facility, also named RIDC Tuxford. Its address is Lodge Lane Industrial Estate, Lodge Lane, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire NG22 0NL.
- Track extent needs confirmation
- The current page describes 10 miles. The brochure overview describes 10.5 miles with three miles of double track, while the current hire row states 14 miles from 13mp to 27mp. All give a maximum of 75 mph. The descriptions are retained separately until the operator confirms the usable route and extent.
- Plant, rolling stock and infrastructure
- Tuxford’s own brochure section lists rolling-stock and on-track plant trials, a rail-plant test facility, adhesion, brake and wheel-slip testing, drainage facilities, road-rail access points and a platform. It also describes operator training and competence assessments.
- Current use enquiry
- Use the official test tracks enquiry form to request 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 also gives the shared testtracks route.
Testing capabilities
Rolling-stock and plant trials
Tuxford’s specific brochure section supports testing and validation of rolling stock, large and small plant, on-track machines and technology. Confirm the vehicle, purpose, track configuration, route, authorised speed and evidence needed for the planned trial.
Rail-plant assurance facility
The operator identifies a RIS-1530-PLT rail-plant assurance rig at Tuxford, and the brochure lists a RIS-1530 test facility. These are provider capability descriptions. Agree the plant, procedure, current standard revision, acceptance criteria and required report before commissioning work.
Brake, wheel-slip and adhesion testing
Tuxford’s brochure lists adhesion testing, brake-performance testing and wheel-slip protection testing. Confirm the test vehicle, conditions, instrumentation, safety plan and reporting for the required trial. The presence of these facilities does not guarantee approval for entry into service.
Infrastructure trials and operator training
The Tuxford section lists technology and biodiversity trials, operator training and competence assessments, with drainage facilities, road-rail access points and a platform. The dated operator story also describes infrastructure trials and training at Tuxford. Agree the installation, competence objective, controlled test conditions and support.
Equipment and published limits
The operator page says 10 miles, the brochure overview 10.5 miles with three miles double track and the current hire row 14 miles from 13mp to 27mp. Extents are not reconciled. Confirm the usable route and line extent. Dummy infrastructure and support limitations are retained.
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Current track-hire description and source differences | The 2026/27 hire row states 14 miles, from 13mp to 27mp, with a maximum line speed of 75 mph | This is the current hire-row description, not a resolved universal physical length. The operator page says 10 miles and the brochure overview says 10.5 miles, with three miles double track. No reconciliation or explanation of the differing extents is verified. Confirm the usable route, extent and permitted speed. |
| Dummy railway infrastructure | The hire row lists 800 m of dummy third rail. The Tuxford overview also lists dummy overhead and dummy third/fourth rail | These are dummy facilities. The Tuxford notes state no live 25 kV. Sidings include dummy overhead line equipment, with at least two days’ hire when booked without the test track. Confirm the required installation rather than inferring live supply or Melton’s electrification. |
| Maintenance shed and support | Maintenance shed level to rail height. No installed shed power supply, roof access or crane is stated | The current Tuxford notes say power and lighting can be provided by a generator subject to availability. Office accommodation and parking are also subject to availability. No diesel fuel supply is available on site. No Melton handling equipment or lifting rating is transferred. |
Access and contact
Use the test tracks enquiry form linked from Network Rail’s official test tracks page to request Tuxford use. The current brochure gives Lodge Lane Industrial Estate, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire NG22 0NL and testtracks@networkrail.co.uk. For other queries, the page also names Business Support Manager James Lea at james.lea@networkrail.co.uk. Describe the vehicle or plant, test objective, route, configuration, support and reporting. The Final 2026/27 price list is dated February 2026, with prices valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Confirm a current quotation and availability. Standalone siding hire has a two-day minimum, and shed power, office accommodation and parking are conditional.
Facility contact
- Address
- Lodge Lane Industrial Estate, Lodge Lane
Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0NL - Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
- Provider-described RIS-1530-PLT rail-plant facility
- The operator names a RIS-1530-PLT rail-plant assurance rig at Tuxford, while the brochure lists a RIS-1530 test facility. These are provider capability descriptions. An exact standard revision, certificate, certifying body or accredited testing scope was not verified. Confirm the required procedure, revision, acceptance criteria and report with Network Rail.
What to confirm with the facility
- The operator’s 10-mile description, brochure overview’s 10.5-mile description and current table’s 14-mile hire row remain separate. Their differing extents are not explained in the reviewed sources. Confirm the usable route, line extent, configuration and authorised speed for the proposed test.
- Tuxford’s overhead and third/fourth rail are described as dummy infrastructure. The current notes state no live 25 kV, no roof access and no crane. Shed power and lighting need an available generator, and there is no diesel fuel supply on site.
- A two-day minimum applies to sidings booked without the test track. Office accommodation and parking are subject to availability. The current 2026/27 list is pricing context, with the required facility, support, availability and quotation to confirm directly.
- The RIS-1530-PLT rig description does not establish an independently verified standard revision or accredited scope. The operator story’s ultrasonic rail-defect demonstration is dated trial context, not a promised routine contract-inspection service. Melton’s electrification, lifting roads, ETCS, acoustic-site claim and performance catalogue are not allocated to Tuxford.
- Agree the plant or vehicle, track route, test method, configuration, instrumentation, competence and safety responsibilities, acceptance evidence, report, 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 exact shared Network Rail sources retrieved earlier that day. The current 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 and valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. PDF creation/modification metadata are 15 May 2026, separate from the 2025/04 upload path. Tuxford’s 10-mile, 10.5-mile and 14-mile source descriptions are not reconciled, and Melton’s equipment and qualification claims remain separate.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Network Rail current Tuxford test-track and enquiry information
The operator identifies Tuxford, its rail-plant assurance rig and current form-first enquiry route. Its 10-mile track description is kept separate from the current brochure’s overview and hire table. Original metadata records publication on 29 April 2025 and modification on 28 April 2026. Shared original bytes and 1 October retrieval provenance are reused without another request.
Network Rail 2026/27 brochure, Tuxford facilities and hire conditions
The current operator page links this four-page PDF. The overview describes 10.5 miles with three miles double track, while the 2026/27 Tuxford hire row states 14 miles from 13mp to 27mp. Those extents are not reconciled. The price section is Final 2026/27, dated February 2026, with prices valid 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. PDF creation/modification are 15 May 2026, separate from the 2025/04 URL path. Shared exact originals and reviewed page images are reused, with Melton fields excluded.
Network Rail Tuxford operating trials and training context
The story identifies Tuxford operation, a 10-mile track with a three-mile double section, infrastructure trials and training. Its ultrasonic demonstration is dated context, not a new accredited inspection service claim. Publication is 12 May 2025 and original modification is 3 June 2025. Shared original retrieval is reused unchanged.