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TPE Mark 5A coaching stock progress

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Erniescooper

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Set 6 has been accepted and should make its way to Crewe tomorrow and hopefully Set 9 out driver training
 

sjpowermac

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68028 ‘Lord President’ and 68022 ‘Resolution’ worked 10:32 Crewe CS to York P SD today. Stood in the York Parcel Siding (next to platform 11). 68024 ‘Centaur’ in platform 2.

I notice the move wasn’t a TPE one, maybe DRS checking out the coolant;)
 

sjpowermac

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68019 ‘Brutus’ and 68027 ‘Splendid’ worked 0P68 Longsight To York this morning. Rather than going to the Siemens Depot they ended up on the ‘exam line’ next to platform 2.

York has quite a collection now:
68022 Parcel Siding
68028 Parcel Siding
68019 Exam Line
68027 Exam Line
68024 Platform 2 (currently out on traction refresher trips to Scarborough).
 

sjpowermac

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9A900DE5-C57D-42C7-AF38-A96A2E3651F8.jpeg
68024/19/27 at York this evening.
68022/28 are now at the Siemens Depot having worked 0G68 from the York Parcel Siding.
 

SP Man

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Two sets with TPE, set 4s FFR coming along nice. Set being prepared for commission to start.
 

nicolaboo

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Set 6 has been accepted and should make its way to Crewe tomorrow and hopefully Set 9 out driver training
Is it known whether Set 6 is 'sub-par' like Set 9, as far as customer acceptance goes, or has this one had any corrective measures applied?
ps
…and has 9 had its remedial work done?
 

realnovice

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How many are there still to be built? 13 sets of 5 ordered and the same few keep getting the testing. Unbelievable to think TPE thought they'd get these in service quickly looking back.
 

61653 HTAFC

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How many are there still to be built? 13 sets of 5 ordered and the same few keep getting the testing. Unbelievable to think TPE thought they'd get these in service quickly looking back.
Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, they'll still be the first of TPE's new trains to carry passengers. If they'd gone for more 802s the first ones would still be at the place they are now.
 

AndrewE

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So thanks to a tip off I managed to get the 86's (86605 & 86639) passing through East Didsbury as it headed to MID.


*RARE* Freightliner 86639
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


Freightliner 86605
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


TransPennine Express MK5a
by Mike McNiven, on Flickr
and it's interesting to see that they are being worked in multiple (both pans up.) Maybe it isn't worth risking something going wrong by changing a set-up that works!
(also a great relief that we are now -after over 3000 posts - actually seeing some news about mark 5a coaching stock, rather than just loco-spotters photos. Let's hope we really do get some trains into service before very much longer.)
 
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sjpowermac

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and it's interesting to see that they are being worked in multiple (both pans up.) Maybe it isn't worth risking something going wrong by changing a set-up that works!
(also a great relief that we are now -after over 3000 posts - actually seeing some news about mark 5a coaching stock, rather than just loco-spotters photos. Let's hope we really do get some trains into service before very much longer.)
Why do you object to seeing ‘loco-spotters photos’? I think the driver training on Class 68s is a part of the story of the introduction of the Mk5a stock. For sure, the Mk5a stock wouldn’t be going very far without locos;)

I’m not having a pop at you, I’m just genuinely interested to know:)
 

xotGD

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Some folk on this thread aren't really fussed about the niceties of Mark 5s but it is the go-to thread for gen about the reintroduction of loco-hauled services across the Pennines. We all need to rub along and skim past the posts that don't interest us.
 

aleggatta

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Part of the frustration for me, is I'm here for 'technical updates', and waiting for a page to load, just to find it's another massive photo of another 68 is a gripe, IMO If you want to share photos of a 68, use another thread specifically for it, if it was a photo of an incident involving loco/stock fair enough, but someone finding the next artistic shot of a train which is just going about normal routine day to day introduction has really put me off this thread in recent weeks.
 

Erniescooper

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The Crewe to Wavertree Jn training runs have been extended today so 68026 and TP09 will be putting in some appearances at Lime St
 

absolutelymilk

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Part of the frustration for me, is I'm here for 'technical updates', and waiting for a page to load, just to find it's another massive photo of another 68 is a gripe, IMO If you want to share photos of a 68, use another thread specifically for it, if it was a photo of an incident involving loco/stock fair enough, but someone finding the next artistic shot of a train which is just going about normal routine day to day introduction has really put me off this thread in recent weeks.
I have to agree here - it's nice seeing the occasional photo but (especially on a poor internet connection) I think there are too many photos which don't add anything to the thread. Presumably you guys have a twitter or Flickr account which you can share the link to and then post the photos on there?
 

Ben Bow

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I'm glad to see pics of the 68's on driver training duties, its all part of the story. But if you don't want them to download, simply log out of the forum and then they won't - you will just get a small thumbnail. You can still read the thread to take the information you want when you're logged out, and only need to log in if you feel the need to complain about more pics being posted, or you could of course even contribute by adding some info of your own...

"sjpowermac" has provided regular, very useful, updates of the comings and goings of the 68's in the York area over the last few months, and I, for one, am very grateful for him taking the time to do this. Thank you.
 

aleggatta

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I'm glad to see pics of the 68's on driver training duties, its all part of the story. But if you don't want them to download, simply log out of the forum and then they won't - you will just get a small thumbnail. You can still read the thread to take the information you want when you're logged out, and only need to log in if you feel the need to complain about more pics being posted, or you could of course even contribute by adding some info of your own...

"sjpowermac" has provided regular, very useful, updates of the comings and goings of the 68's in the York area over the last few months, and I, for one, am very grateful for him taking the time to do this. Thank you.

I am very appreciation of updates provided by members of this forum too, however the same update repeated over and over (that a loco is out on a training run) is just overkill IMO, and doesn't require images, simply a 'driver training continues' text post is adequate. Please don't get me wrong, I found the picture of the mk5s behind the 86's interesting and I completely see the point in it being included in the thread, but repetitive information of the same detail is not required
 

EE Andy b1

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"sjpowermac" has provided regular, very useful, updates of the comings and goings of the 68's in the York area over the last few months, and I, for one, am very grateful for him taking the time to do this. Thank you.

Spot on. I enjoy seeing the photo's of the 68s as has been said it's part of the story, so keep them coming.

Hopefully in July we will actually see 68s with Mk5a sets and actual passengers as well.
 

Ben Bow

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The situation rarely stays the same for long and locos are constantly being changed over, its hard to keep up sometimes, especially if you're away for a few days. I joined this forum specifically because the information posted here is so much more useful and up to date than that on "wnxx", which sadly seems to be dying a slow death. I don't see the problem myself, if you don't want to know the detail, scroll on by, but some people are interested. Once Nova 3 operations are up and running, light engine movements, especially on the Eastern side of the Pennines, will become much rarer.

Two are sets now accepted by TPE, and the third is now undertaking its fault free mileage. The first TPE instructors are training on the coaches, drivers and guards will follow over the next few months. Work at York depot is nearing completion, and Scarborough depot is coming along quickly now. So things are progressing, which has to be good news.
 

fowler9

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I am very appreciation of updates provided by members of this forum too, however the same update repeated over and over (that a loco is out on a training run) is just overkill IMO, and doesn't require images, simply a 'driver training continues' text post is adequate. Please don't get me wrong, I found the picture of the mk5s behind the 86's interesting and I completely see the point in it being included in the thread, but repetitive information of the same detail is not required
Just scroll past if your aren't interested. I feel it is related myself and fair play if you don't.
 

Greybeard33

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Personally I have no problem scrolling past photos of 68s. However, while all these driver refresher light engine runs are evidently interesting to loco enthusiasts, I am appalled by the waste of resources they represent. All that fuel, the wear and tear on both the locos and infrastructure, plus the unproductive driver hours.

If TPE had known in advance that delivery of the carriages would be delayed this long, no doubt driver training would have been started later and these refresher runs would have been unnecessary.

I hope the terms of the contract enable TPE to recover the full cost from CAF.
 

sjpowermac

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A little bit of Gen (and no pictures!) for both ‘loco-spotters’ and carriage enthusiasts;)

Tuesday 21st May 2019
5E68 18:55 Eccles-Scarborough

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N31856/2019/05/21/advanced

5P68 22:16 Scarborough-Crewe C.S.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N31857/2019/05/21/advanced

Both pathed as ‘100mph DMU’ but I think the clue is in the headcodes:)
On previous trips with Nova 3 sets there has been a lot of ducking and diving, in and out of loops. Not with these trips, 5P68 seems to run in pretty much the same sectional timings as the service trains.

I wonder if this is perhaps a performance/timing trial?
 

sjpowermac

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Personally I have no problem scrolling past photos of 68s. However, while all these driver refresher light engine runs are evidently interesting to loco enthusiasts, I am appalled by the waste of resources they represent. All that fuel, the wear and tear on both the locos and infrastructure, plus the unproductive driver hours.

If TPE had known in advance that delivery of the carriages would be delayed this long, no doubt driver training would have been started later and these refresher runs would have been unnecessary.

I hope the terms of the contract enable TPE to recover the full cost from CAF.
That’s an interesting point about the costs. I wonder too about the leasing costs of the 68s. I know DRS have used some of the TPE locos on freights, but even so. From the point of DRS they had the locos ready and would have been expecting to have all 14 out on hire to TPE.

I bet the whole Class 68 contract is a delight for the lawyers and accountants, all that CAF kit in the cab of a loco built by a rival manufacturer Stadler, owned by Beacon Rail, subleased from DRS!
 

Ben Bow

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.....

If TPE had known in advance that delivery of the carriages would be delayed this long, no doubt driver training would have been started later and these refresher runs would have been unnecessary.

I hope the terms of the contract enable TPE to recover the full cost from CAF.

TPE knew in November that the mk.5's would be delayed but pressed on with 68 driver training anyway, even starting courses for York drivers in January. Some Manchester drivers are now on to their 7th or 8th refresh trip, and because they don't sign the route used (Crewe to Wavertree) they need a second driver who does to route conduct them. You couldn't make it up.
 
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