Hope someone can shed light on 538001. Ive been looking through my trip visits and picked up that I saw Tarmac Matisa's 538001 and 538002 at Foxfield Railway on 30/6/1994. I found that 538002 now resides at Welsh Highland railway after being regauged. I noted that 5380001 carried 102-302 on it not sure if it was running number or builders number. Nothing found on OTP website regarding details of this Matisa
Tarmac Matisa 538001 - On-Track Machines - Forum
Tarmac Matisa 538001
Keith, OTP Book #5 lists Tarmac as having a A05C Tamper Builder's Number 3209/1994. This machine also appears in OTP Book #6, but by then Tarmac had become Centrac, with a Fleet Number 538002. I haven't found 538001 anywhere yet. This includes comprehensive lists provided by Keith Gunner of Matisa machines in the UK.
The only reference to a 538001 I've found is when Keith left a similar question a few years ago- sadly no one answered.
"... Also on site there was another track machine carrying 538001 plated 102-302. It may have been Plasser & Theurer PBR-201 regulator 302 built 1978?"
Not sure if you were on to something about it being a Plasser in your original post?
(Also Ted saw 538001 in 1996...
https://www.ontrackplant.com/forum/sightings-requests/stratford-market-2nd-june-1996#forumpost-2099
No help in solving the mystery though)
Might be worth someone acquiring a copy of On-Track Plant 2003
538001 according to OTP 2003 was a P&T PBR Regulator No. 302 of 1978 acquired by Tarmac from Newag in 1990s, and resold to Newag in 1999.
Many thanks to all in solving the ID of 538001. Ive got a copy of OTP2003 but missed this entry in the disposal pages. Assume this can now be put on OTP website.
This is now added finally so any sightings welcome!