TPE Mark 5A coaching stock progress

[BMIFlyer]

The tweet doesn't state "next month". Staff training is only just getting under way and only one set has been accepted, so far.

2nd week of July is the plan. If enough staff are trained. Otherwise it’s from the 28th with 2 sets in service.

 

[sjpowermac]

There doesn’t seem to have been any testing today off Manchester.

There was, however, a full day of driver refresher trips using 68024 ‘Centaur’ working off York.

The last working ended up in the Parcels Siding (I think due to a unit being in platform 2 at the time). Either way, the Parcels Siding to platform 2 shuffle this evening gave a chance for a picture in platform 5.

Thanks to TPE for the unexpected evening photo shoot

 

[realnovice]

As a novice to this, how long does it take to learn to drive one of these locos? If they're only teaching instructors now surely it must be a quickish process?

 

[Ben Bow]

For non-instructor drivers the TPE class 68 locomotive course is 8 days, 4 days classroom/static, 3 days practical handling light engine, 1 day pass out. A further 8 day course is required once mk.5's are available before drivers can work Nova 3 sets on their own.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Think it also depends on the driver. Some of York and Scarborough based drivers have loco hauled experience from either the loco hauled days of TPE before the 158s were introduced, or from another TOC/FOC or preserved railway and will adapt relatively quickly. A driver can of course request more time and instruction if they feel they need it. Others however have specifically declined the 68 link because of the difference between knowledge of a MU and a loco being too much and are daunted by, or not prepared to make the switch.

As a guard having come over to TPE from the catering grades at XC I have some loco hauled experience but as the 68s won't be used up to Newcastle I haven't been offered to learn the mk5s, even tho newcastle crews sign Middlesbrough and Scarborough. This makes me useless for cross cover, a bit of a contrast from today as two Newcastle crew members are covering an uncovered Scarborough crew turn....

 

[Ben Bow]

Despite suggestions by experienced staff that it would be a good idea to split drivers into those who have previous loco experience, and those that haven't, for the purpose of training, this suggestion was not taken forward and the course is of the "one size fits all" variety. Although to be fair, if your basic traction was class 47's, there isn't a lot that's relevant to class 68's...

 

[EE Andy b1]

Others however have specifically declined the 68 link because of the difference between knowledge of a MU and a loco being too much and are daunted by, or not prepared to make the switch.

Yes we have one or two drivers who don't like diesels or don't like semaphore signalling and so requested and were allowed to drop links to stay off these.
Gone are the days when a Train driver actually works the linked work, diesel, electric, LHCS or MU or whatever, with the TOC i'm with anyway. Crazy!
Not that we many traction types now anyway.

 

[Bornin1980s]

How would experience on '60s locos prepare for the 68?

 

[sjpowermac]

LNER: We’re delivering Grandmas at 125mph.
TPE: Well we’re delivering bashers, in style, at 100mph

68024 ‘Centaur’ at York this evening

 

[driver_m]

How would experience on '60s locos prepare for the 68?

Because the braking characteristics of a loco are very different to a unit. I went from using a loco brake on 87/90 to using a pendo brake, and it’s a world apart. The pendo brake is instant on and almost instantly off. A loco is very different. Slower on and off and different again when hauling stock as there’s two different types of brake. And then it can vary within locos themselves. Some of the 90s I drove were awful for snatching at the stock and others weren’t. A loco even from the 60s will give a good grounding in how to use a 68 purely for that.

 

[bastien]

How would experience on '60s locos prepare for the 68?

It'd make you grateful, I imagine.

 

[sjpowermac]

It'd make you grateful, I imagine.

That’s a very good answer

Though I notice 68024 seemed to struggle a bit with today’s York light engine trips, 0B60 ended up 13 late into Scarborough with the return run 26 late into York, and with the rest of its diagram cancelled

I hope DRS get those 68s in top condition for July...

 

[BeHereNow]

Think it also depends on the driver. Some of York and Scarborough based drivers have loco hauled experience from either the loco hauled days of TPE before the 158s were introduced, or from another TOC/FOC or preserved railway and will adapt relatively quickly. A driver can of course request more time and instruction if they feel they need it. Others however have specifically declined the 68 link because of the difference between knowledge of a MU and a loco being too much and are daunted by, or not prepared to make the switch.

As a guard having come over to TPE from the catering grades at XC I have some loco hauled experience but as the 68s won't be used up to Newcastle I haven't been offered to learn the mk5s, even tho newcastle crews sign Middlesbrough and Scarborough. This makes me useless for cross cover, a bit of a contrast from today as two Newcastle crew members are covering an uncovered Scarborough crew turn....

This will presumably make both rostering and control changes much more difficult, in comparison with the unified fleet as at present. Presumably a big increase in staff numbers has been needed. It will be interesting to see how well it works.

 

[Sleeperwaking]

View attachment 62315
LNER: We’re delivering Grandmas at 125mph.
TPE: Well we’re delivering bashers, in style, at 100mph

To be fair, the Mark 5A coaches were supposed to be 125 mph capable, so maybe in the future...

 

[sjpowermac]

To be fair, the Mark 5A coaches were supposed to be 125 mph capable, so maybe in the future...

Very true, but maybe the traction wouldn’t have the style of a Class 68

 

[MotCO]

Instructor training to start next month, .

Who trains the Instructors? In a similar vain, who trains Instructors over new track?

 

[SP Man]

Who trains the Instructors? In a similar vain, who trains Instructors over new track?

Freightliner trained them, Freightliner was trained in Velim.

 

[mjn]

I like the TPE livery on the 68s more every time I see it. Here's 4 of them; 32/29/21/24, passing Heyrod earlier today on their way back from York to Gretsy Bridge

68032, 68029, 68021 & 68024 by Mark Nulty, on Flickr

 

[sjpowermac]

I like the TPE livery on the 68s more every time I see it. Here's 4 of them; 32/29/21/24, passing Heyrod earlier today on their way back from York to Gretsy Bridge

68032, 68029, 68021 & 68024 by Mark Nulty, on Flickr

Agree with you about the livery and what a cracking image.

 

[sjpowermac]

0M68 this morning at Sherburn-in-Elmet with 68032/29/21/24

 

[66Yorks]

Maybe it's the video sound but for a loco it seems quiet.

They do look good in the TPE livery.

 

[sjpowermac]

Maybe it's the video sound but for a loco it seems quiet.

They do look good in the TPE livery.

Posted previously, but try this one for noise. They certainly have a presence in the station

 

[EE Andy b1]

Maybe it's the video sound but for a loco it seems quiet.

They do look good in the TPE livery.

For a modern diesel locomotive there not quiet and do sound rather good, in my opinion.
Don't think the general public will care less though.

 

[sjpowermac]

68019 ‘Brutus’ and 68027 ‘Splendid’ in York Parcel Siding.

‘Sunshine After the Rain’, let’s hope so

https://flic.kr/p/2fMkL8B

and a more conventional view here:

 

[The Northern Star]

This week coming...

TP09 / 68026

Tuesday 07 May
5M68 0700 Crewe CS – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Preston

Wednesday 08 May
5M68 0803 Preston – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Crewe CS

Thursday 09 May
5M68 0700 Crewe CS – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Preston

Friday 10 May
5M68 0803 Preston – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Crewe CS

(Liverpool trains all via St Helens Central)

 

[Kieran1990]

This week coming...

TP09 / 68026

Tuesday 07 May
5M68 0700 Crewe CS – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Preston

Wednesday 08 May
5M68 0803 Preston – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Crewe CS

Thursday 09 May
5M68 0700 Crewe CS – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Preston

Friday 10 May
5M68 0803 Preston – Carlisle
5F69 1020 Carlisle – Liverpool LS
5S70 1303 Liverpool LS – Carnforth
5M71 1523 Carnforth – Crewe CS

(Liverpool trains all via St Helens Central)

Any reason for the move from Carlisle-Bletchley to Liverpool?

 

[Erniescooper]

Any reason for the move from Carlisle-Bletchley to Liverpool?

TP09 has now been accepted by TPE and the diagrams are the start of driver assessor training. The CAF Bletchley runs should start again Wednesday with TP04.

 

[sjpowermac]

TP09 has now been accepted by TPE and the diagrams are the start of driver assessor training. The CAF Bletchley runs should start again Wednesday with TP04.

That’s great news all round. Does that mean TP06 has been/is ready to be handed over?

 

[Erniescooper]

That’s great news all round. Does that mean TP06 has been/is ready to be handed over?

Should be the end of the week.

 

[sjpowermac]

Should be the end of the week.

Many thanks for that, really great news.