Station Name: BARNARD CASTLE (2nd site)

D146 was built at Derby works as D146 and it entered service during December 1961, allocated to Derby MPD transferring within a couple of weeks to Gateshead. Five months later it transferred back to Derby and would spend the next seven years on Midland line duties predominatly allocated to Toton. It is seen at Barnard Castle during trials in May 1962. In March 1969 it transferred to Bristol for working cross country duties moving to Plymouth Laira in May 1973. It received a classified repair (light) at Derby works during October 1980 (one of the last three class 46 locomotives to receive any classified repair) at a time when twenty one other members of the class were being stored. Its boiler was isolated during December 1982 and it received the power unit from 46004 at Stratford during August 1983. Although withdrawn in October 1983 it was transferred to Toton for Research Department duties in November 1983 and allocated the number 97401 (which it never carried). It was finally withdrawn in July 1984 and selected as the locomotive to be used in a CEGB Atomic flask crash test demonstration at the Old Dalby test track. On the 17th July 1984 46009 hauling four Mark I coaches at 90mph+ crashed into a weltrol wagon carrying a nuclear flask. The remains of 46009 were broken up on site shortly after the demonstration by Vic Berry.
Photo by Arthur Watson (Stationmaster)

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