TPE Mark 5A coaching stock progress

[SP Man]

Why not test on other routes? It will still go through door openings (,both internal and external), .cab to cabs, PA, braking, power, etc whatever route it goes over.

 

[mikemcniven]

Paths are selected with availability through the area. There was clearly more space along the WCML for testing/commissioning then across the congested pennine route that the MK5a's will operate along.

 

[Sleeperwaking]

Paths are selected with availability through the area. There was clearly more space along the WCML for testing/commissioning then across the congested pennine route that the MK5a's will operate along.

You can also get up to 100 mph on the WCML, if there's anything that requires max speed during routine tests. Not sure there's much scope for that on the Transpennine route except for the short bits on the ECML.

 

[sjpowermac]

68028 at York with MID to Scarborough of 4th February 2019. There were staff putting out the disabled ramps and checking various other things connected with platform duties. Notice the ‘Scarborough’ sign in the locomotive cab.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Set TP1 presently in Scarborough station drawn by 68 028, Lord President, with the loco leading in the down direction, unusually enough.

 

[sjpowermac]

Set TP1 presently in Scarborough station drawn by 68 028, Lord President, with the loco leading in the down direction, unusually enough.

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

 

[AndrewE]

Set TP1 presently in Scarborough station drawn by 68 028, Lord President, with the loco leading in the down direction, unusually enough.

I am amazed by the amount of empty space between the coaches and the length of the bellows connections: were they specified to be able to cope with the tightest curves on the network? In contrast, Mk IIIs and foreign rolling stock seem to have almost no length taken up by their corridor connection.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

You are welcome. My train from York was delayed and this test train just happened to be in front but the 68 rake held back in York behind my service. Great opportunity!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

68028 at York with MID to Scarborough of 4th February 2019. There were staff putting out the disabled ramps and checking various other things connected with platform duties. Notice the ‘Scarborough’ sign in the locomotive cab.
View attachment 58735

The LED display is good!

 

[_toommm_]

Does anyone know if the run to Scarborough today is still planned to operate? It's an ideal time for me to see it as it's just as I leave uni, but it's gone to a Q path recently.

 

[Pete_uk]

Yeah, the carriage connectors look massive

 

[sjpowermac]

Does anyone know if the run to Scarborough today is still planned to operate? It's an ideal time for me to see it as it's just as I leave uni, but it's gone to a Q path recently.

I don’t have any info about today’s trip but yesterday there was a path that went to ‘Q’ and was then replaced about 15:00 with an identical path, switching from 100 mph DMU to ‘Diesel loco’. I hope it does run and you get to see it.

 

[66Yorks]

I've seen plenty of Class 68's between York & Scarborough but no full working sets yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled!

I don’t have any info about today’s trip but yesterday there was a path that went to ‘Q’ and was then replaced about 15:00 with an identical path, switching from 100 mph DMU to ‘Diesel loco’. I hope it does run and you get to see it.

 

[_toommm_]

I've seen plenty of Class 68's between York & Scarborough but no full working sets yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled!

From Slaithwaite last week - 68028 on 3Q99 0755 Scarborough to Manchester Int Dpt (Fl)

 

[hibtastic]

I was getting on a Northern service to Stalybridge last night around 1700 at Manchester Vic and I could have sworn I heard a 68 go through. Are they operating through Vic on test runs?

 

[_toommm_]

I was getting on a Northern service to Stalybridge last night around 1700 at Manchester Vic and I could have sworn I heard a 68 go through. Are they operating through Vic on test runs?

You aren't hearing things, this came through just after 5 last night:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O80246/2019/02/04/advanced

I believe it was a full set

 

[sjpowermac]

From Slaithwaite last week - 68028 on 3Q99 0755 Scarborough to Manchester Int Dpt (Fl)
View attachment 58745

View attachment 58746

Lovely images.

 

[Spartacus]

I am amazed by the amount of empty space between the coaches and the length of the bellows connections: were they specified to be able to cope with the tightest curves on the network? In contrast, Mk IIIs and foreign rolling stock seem to have almost no length taken up by their corridor connection.

A Mk3's ( and I think Mk2's) connection is partially recessed under bodywirk which isn't easy to notice when coupled, and when they're not the corridor is usually retracted, but if you were to take that away there probably wouldn't be all that much difference. This view of a prototype gives a good view: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Mark_3#/media/File:BR_Mk3_12000.jpg

 

[Erniescooper]

I've seen plenty of Class 68's between York & Scarborough but no full working sets yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled!

Sat at the signal at MID waiting for a freight train to clear so it could be late

 

[_toommm_]

Service to Scarborough is off, running as a VSTP as follows:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O80561/2019/02/05/advanced

 

[_toommm_]

Just as a heads up, the service is running with the 68 leading into Scarborough this time.

 

[notlob.divad]

It is also back nearly on time as it didn't sit and wait at Diggle.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Are guards being trained on the Mark 5As then?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This appears to be the return. Not sure if I'll feel up to walking to the station at 0015 to snap it, but if I do there'll be some rubbish smartphone pics if anyone's interested!

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Parked in holgate now.

Can see headlights from station but I'm off to Newcastle on 9E17 so not going to see it

 

[Tracked]

Saw it in Leeds earlier, Lord President pulling it & destination set to Scarborough.

Quite noisy idling, quite quick setting off.

 

[sjpowermac]

68028 ‘Lord President’ with MID to Scarborough of 5th February 2019.
One ‘bokeh’ and one more traditional!

 

[_toommm_]

68028 ‘Lord President’ with MID to Scarborough of 5th February 2019.
One ‘bokeh’ and one more traditional!
View attachment 58812 View attachment 58813

I do love a good bokeh

Speaking of which, a nice accidental shot I took from a HST on the way to Aberdeen last week produced a wonderful effect:
(The photo is of much better quality, but this forum doesn't like the size of my photos for some reason )

 

[sjpowermac]

I do love a good bokeh

Speaking of which, a nice accidental shot I took from a HST on the way to Aberdeen last week produced a wonderful effect:
(The photo is of much better quality, but this forum doesn't like the size of my photos for some reason )

View attachment 58815

Nice one, that’s a lovely picture from a train.

Thank you for your post about the 68 being on the front today, that helped me get my pictures at York, so greatly appreciated.

 

[_toommm_]

A short video of 68024 at Slaithwaite today - video is a bit blurry though due to constraints on quality on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ewxmE9