Jump to content
 

Recommended Posts

I wish Bachmann would do FNAs in the turquoise they seem to be in nowadays. AFAIK they have only done the older green colour and the DRS blue as a collector's model which is like hens teeth?

 

The newer colour ones I think would be like printing money for them I think.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
4 minutes ago, TomScrut said:

I wish Bachmann would do FNAs in the turquoise they seem to be in nowadays. AFAIK they have only done the older green colour and the DRS blue as a collector's model which is like hens teeth?

 

The newer colour ones I think would be like printing money for them I think.

 

O/T from 68s.

The turquoise wagons are a recent new-build - quite different from the Bachmann FNA.

 

It requires a whole new tooling.....

 

I wonder if newer players to the RTR market would take it on?

 

As for DRS blue FNA  - that was a one-off livery for a short time.

Edited by newbryford
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, newbryford said:

As for DRS blue FNA  - that was a one-off livery for a short time

 

Did they do it as a proper run? I thought it was just a collector's club limited edition. They bring top dollar on eBay.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Back to 68s.

Another day, another TPE 68 on freight.

 

68028 Lord President thro' Settle with 6K05 Carlisle-Crewe on 5/5/20.

 

The rake was "mostly yellow" MLA/JNA/IEA with a maroon MLA or two.

 

68028.jpg.0201626c46d3d3148abc0bd468adbe98.jpg

 

 

 

p.s. I am not going out of my way for these pics - a late work lunchtime walk and good timing.

 

 

Edited by newbryford
  • Like 11
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

That's reminded me. I saw on the chat on Railcam one day a few weeks ago that supposedly 2 TPE 68s are going back to DRS to be replaced by another 2. Not sure if there is any truth to it, I had to go so didn't have chance to ask on there.

 

Logically it would be expected that 033 and 034 are the ones coming in as they supposedly had the mods done for working with the mk5s. If anybody is wondering, page 10 of this has the details about 033 and 034:

 

https://www.directrailservices.com/PDF/Compass14.pdf

 

"Two additional locomotives, 68033 and 68034, are having the required modifications carried out to meet the needs of the contract, but will remain in DRS service. This will provide an invaluable contingency for times of poor availability. They may also be hired by TPE for additional services if required. 68033 and 68034 will be known as Additional Modified Vehicles, or AMVs. All sixteen locomotives have now been modified and tested and fourteen have been handed over to TPE."

 

Any ideas if the rumour of loco swaps is true and which locos? I know some of the TPE ones are in service for DRS at the moment but I would expect that's just because if demand?

Edited by TomScrut
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

DRS liveried 68034 with Nova 3 set TP06 at Colne Bridge on 25th May 2020 with 5Z75, 12.56 York Siemens to Crewe Basford Hall...

961983312_680345Z75ColneBridge25052020-RMweb.jpg.71a8b79e9bde65a412839b9d313f6055.jpg

 

...with TPE 68028 'Lord President' on the rear.

1385543696_680285Z75ColneBridge25052020-RMweb.jpg.12b8553df515832c46464f4e0e072de7.jpg

 

  • Like 12
Link to post
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, 4630 said:

DRS liveried 68034

 

Awesome, my tactical decision to get 034 for Mk5 shenanigans has paid off! First time I have seen a pic of either 033 or 034 with a Mk5 set I think.

 

What was going on, as in why were the mk5s going to Crewe and why wasn't 028 powering?

Edited by TomScrut
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
14 hours ago, TomScrut said:

 

Awesome, my tactical decision to get 034 for Mk5 shenanigans has paid off! First time I have seen a pic of either 033 or 034 with a Mk5 set I think.

 

What was going on, as in why were the mk5s going to Crewe and why wasn't 028 powering?

 

It's my understanding that the TPE class 68s are undergoing software upgrades, which in this instance is a significant task and I would surmise that this work is being carried out at the DRS facility at Crewe Gresty Road.  DRS 68033 and 034 are to supplement the pool of TPE 68s whilst this work is done.  I know that TPE 68s have been cropping up on other duties recently though - they need to earn their keep somehow!

 

You may be aware over the past week or so that there's been a Mon- Fri daily return working between Crewe Gresty Bridge (DRS) and York Siemens;

0Z68 10.15 Crewe Gresty Bridge (DRS) - York Siemens (14.05).

0Z75 15.43 York Siemens - Crewe Gresty Bridge (19.38).

 

This working has apparently been anything from 1, 2 or 3 class 68s and I would assume it's to do with the software upgrade.

 

On Friday 22nd May 0Z68 was just DRS 68034.  Here it is at Deighton.

1351244929_680340Z68Deighton22052020-RMweb.jpg.c8f65845a50d247cb1af87e884647b87.jpg

 

The return working was booked to be 5Z75 (rather than 0Z75) but only got as far as Colton Junction before returning to York Siemens - I was following it on one of the signal diagram apps.  I presume that this was due to a technical problem which was resolved by 25th May  when I photographed 5Z75 at Colne Bridge.

 

I imagine there wouldn't be any need for 68028 to be powering, I can't recall if I heard the engine idling.  The 3,750hp installed power of the Cat engine in 68034 would be more than sufficient.   

 

The Mark 5s are no strangers to Crewe of course, it's where they were based during the mileage accumulation runs prior to acceptance by TPE and If further testing is need as part of the software upgrade to their 68s, it would seem good planning to have a set on hand there ready.  It's not needed in passenger service at the moment after all. 

Edited by 4630
to correct syntax
  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
  • Informative/Useful 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Another day and another class 68 working between Crewe Basford Hall and York Siemens.

 

On 28th May 2020 TPE 68025 'Superb' approaching Deighton with 5Z68, 10.14 Crewe Basford Hall to York Siemens, with CAF Mark 5a Nova 3 set TP12 for company.

1228707014_68025TP125Z68Deighton28052020-RMweb.jpg.716e4127e25174e1e14f7062e8d306d1.jpg 

  • Like 12
Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Chrisjh said:

I wonder if Dapol will produce a Class 88 as it must be relatively simple for Dapol to produce one given they have produced a superb class 68.  

 

Best,

Chris 

 

There is a thread discussing the idea here:

 

Personally I'd love one, and Dapol would have a head start over everyone else IMO even if the body needed redoing.

 

  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Todays TPE class 68 morning outing was 68023 'Achilles paired with 68027 'Splendid' working as 0Z68, 11.20 Longsight to York Siemens.

 

TPE 68023 leading 68027 on the 'Down Huddersfield' after exiting the short tunnel beneath the L&Y Calder Valley lines, as 66771 'Amanda' approaches on the 'Down L&Y' with 6E09, 07.11 Liverpool Biomass Terminal to Drax Power Station...

1630435114_68023680270Z68HeatonLodgeJn290520201-RMweb.jpg.4e2c9465224e4f8449985773b5a483d8.jpg

 

...rolling slowly...

1860113870_68023680270Z68HeatonLodgeJn290520202-RMweb.jpg.a21e8a40a788878fdedd7c482b74e875.jpg

 

...up to HM553 which protects Heaton Lodge East Junction, as 66771 accelerates away towards the junction to join the 'Down Huddersfield'.

381033204_68023680270Z68HeatonLodgeJn290520203-RMweb.jpg.23a5aa21aaec2d3972485d6343c240e2.jpg

 

Idling away for a couple of minutes...

1148945067_68023680270Z68HeatonLodgeJn290520204-RMweb.jpg.35b0f323c3fb319fca7b09382467c4be.jpg

 

... before accelerating away towards Heaton Lodge East Junction.

35187018_68023680270Z68HeatonLodgeJn290520205-RMweb.jpg.88af7288217247cd8a63914fd7d13770.jpg 

  • Like 14
Link to post
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, scottishlocos said:

All 

 

With lockdown now partly lifted i was able to head out and record the final Fife class 68s this also sees the end of MK2 passenger coaches on scheduled passenger trains

IMG_20200529_222035.jpg

 

Didn't know they were finishing soon I thought they had been extended for the forseeable (before the amount of travellers fell on its backside at least)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Tom 

 

The dispensation to use the MK2 coaches ends tomorrow they are not permitted to be used in passenger service now Scotrail did have a tender out and the original plan was for the 68s and complient coaches to return on these services in December but with sharp fall in demand post Covid 19 this plan has been axed

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

May 27th. 68002 with 004. Sellafield-Hartlepool and return. Out double headed; back top and tailed.

 Any ideas what the operational reason for this would be ?

754242216_2020-05-27A6800268004Hexham.JPG.a5022aa59a5d241425b7b78bb45bd16f.JPG

 

 

1103945659_2020-05-27F68002-68004.JPG.09e0611b89ca0e57816cc517d3c34639.JPG

Edited by 60091
  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
8 hours ago, 60091 said:

May 27th. 68002 with 004. Sellafield-Hartlepool and return. Out double headed; back top and tailed.

 Any ideas what the operational reason for this would be ?

 

Requires a reversal somewhere on the return, so avoids a run round?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...