The 68s on the Cumbrian coastal services certainly had superb acceleration for the few hundred yards south from Carlisle.I'd note that the acceleration of a 168/170/171 is hardly considered blistering, but if a Nova 3's acceleration compares well to a 185, that'd be a very good sign.
The power-to-weight ratio for the Mark 5A sets is much higher, although there are always other factors to consider.
That’s interesting, I thought the new TPE trains would have 1.5 coaches first like GWR IETs. Fair enough.I don't know if this has been posted yet, but here's the Mark 5A/68 layout.
I'm interested in seeing why there are single standard seats in coaches B, C and D myself. (B65, C01 & D01)
Is it normal to leave the light on in the cooler room, or is that a testing thing?View attachment 59212 It would be interesting to know the progress of the Nova 3 testing, fingers crossed.
In the meantime, here’s 68027 stood on York PSD this evening. There’s an 0M68 10:03 York to Longsight booked for Monday:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N06898/2019/02/18/advanced
Not seen the light on in the cooler room previously, on this occasion there was a driver with the locomotive, the light went out just after I took this.Is it normal to leave the light on in the cooler room, or is that a testing thing?
The lights stay on for 20 minutes after you turn them on and cannot be turned off manuallyIs it normal to leave the light on in the cooler room, or is that a testing thing?
For Tuesday of this week there are trips in for over the Pennines:I see no sets were out yesterday, really hoping that's good news and that TPE09 has completed the required mileage, but that's not what I'm hearing on the rumour mill.... anybody can update?
Any hints of when a 68/mark 5A pairing will be seen running to Middlesbrough? Or is it a case of only when they enter service?
Paths on both the ECML and through the core are at a premium, hence the overnight runs.I suspect there will be to practice the stopping points amongst other things, but I can only guess that finding paths up the ECML is a tricky thing.
For Tuesday of this week there are trips in for over the Pennines:
06:11 Scarborough-MID
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97162/2019/02/19/advanced
17:44 MID-Scarborough
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97160/2019/02/19/advanced
That’s interesting, I thought the new TPE trains would have 1.5 coaches first like GWR IETs. Fair enough.
I was just going on the paths being FL operated and timed for diesel loco +245 tonnes...but I’m not 100% and the morning run is now ‘runs as required’.EDIT - I think these are paths to swap 68031 (currently based at Scarborough for driver training) with another one.
There are FL operated paths between York and Scarborough for possession work.I was just going on the paths being FL operated and timed for diesel loco +245 tonnes...but I’m not 100% and the morning run is now ‘runs as required’.
68022 worked Manchester to York light engine Sunday 17.02.2019 and has been out this afternoon to Scarborough and back.
There was a York to Manchester light engine today, which I assume was 68023.
It’s a fair few years since it was possible to say ‘Achilles’ was replaced by ‘Resolution’:-0
Anyhow, here’s a pic of ‘Achilles’ passing Bootham on Saturday:
View attachment 59391
There are FL operated paths between York and Scarborough for possession work.
Only FL operated TPE moves are mileage accumiliation runs for CAF Mk.5 stock.
Lesser circumstances.Does it have to break down to count as a fault or do lesser circumstances count as faults?
I think that would have caused outrage regarding capacity for standard passengers. A double 185 is generally seen as having too much 1st class and that's probably equivalent to 1 coach worth.
Ah good point, so 1.5 coaches would be 90 seats.Well a 185 has 15 first class seats (so 2x185 equals 30 seats) and the new trains have 30 first class seats, so...
I wonder where the problems have been/are with the Mk5a stock? I’m certainly not an engineer but I’d guess the most complex part of the Nova 3 is the Class 68 and that’s already a design with thousands of miles in passenger service. I know there’s the Driving Trailer but the time taken to get a rake of coaches certified starts to look a bit excessive.Is there a chance Nova 1 802s could run passengers before the Nova 3 Mk5a’s?
I think your maths is out: If 30 seats is a coach worth, then 1.5 coaches would be 45 seats.Ah good point, so 1.5 coaches would be 90 seats.
When a fault is found on the Mk.5A stock the mileage counter is reset. They need at least 2000 miles per set minimum of fault free running to be accepted into service.I wonder where the problems have been/are with the Mk5a stock? I’m certainly not an engineer but I’d guess the most complex part of the Nova 3 is the Class 68 and that’s already a design with thousands of miles in passenger service. I know there’s the Driving Trailer but the time taken to get a rake of coaches certified starts to look a bit excessive.
Of course, no disrespect to anyone involved in the testing process, there quite probably are factors at play that enthusiasts are not aware of.
Is there a chance Nova 1 802s could run passengers before the Nova 3 Mk5a’s?