On Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:30:59 +0000, Basil Jet
wrote:

On 21/03/2019 17:13, Recliner wrote:

Yes, the Northfields test track is really about testing new brake designs
or materials, particularly in wet conditions.

Really? Surely that would be done in Derby or Japan or somewhere.


Japan? No LU trains have ever come from Japan, and none are planned
to.

LU trains typically have a very long life, and it's not uncommon for
new brake materials to be introduced along the way. For example,
perhaps the older stocks once had asbestos brake pads/linings. These
would obviously have had to be replaced with new materials, and tested
in both dry and wet conditions. Perhaps WSP was retrofitted to some
stock(s) during the long life, or the WSP technology improved. Again,
testing would be needed.