MerlinRail 804
Member
Any idea when it’ll be back in service?
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Class 168 Refurbishment Discussion and Updates
- Thread starter MerlinRail 804
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12LDA28C
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I imagine there will be a little work to do before that happens. You seem to be in a hurry to see it back in traffic?
MerlinRail 804
Member
Just excited I guess. Don’t really know why though
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
For those of you that are interested 168001 is now back in the shed after the departure of 168003 today.
CR165022
Member
168003 re-entered service this morning, albeit just briefly. It ran 5U03 to Banbury Depot from Marylebone after doing 2H15 and will presumably be there for the rest of the day.
Robert Mann
Member
Does anyone know what the status of 168003 is currently?
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Quick check on RTT and it's not in service today.
CR165022
Member
It did that one service on the 22nd and has been at Banbury Depot since.
In other news, paths for a Aylesbury/Crewe swap have appeared for friday. I can only assume this will be 168001 coming back?
Edit: both moves cancelled.
Edit 07/04: 168003 moved back to Aylesbury this morning on 5A65.
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MerlinRail 804
Member
Looks like 003 is back in service today...
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 1H28 0911 Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone | 10/04/2025
Real-time train running information for 1H28 0911 departure from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone on 10/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Excellent.Looks like 003 is back in service today...
Realtime Trains | 1H28 0911 Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone | 10/04/2025
Real-time train running information for 1H28 0911 departure from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone on 10/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
CR165022
Member
2nd attempt for a Crewe/Aylesbury swap is in for Friday.
If it does go ahead, I suspect 168002 will be the next one to go. An extra 4 car 168 has stabled at Aylesbury tonight, which I presume is so that 002, or a different unit that will be there, is ready to go.
If it does go ahead, I suspect 168002 will be the next one to go. An extra 4 car 168 has stabled at Aylesbury tonight, which I presume is so that 002, or a different unit that will be there, is ready to go.
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Jacob Porrett
Established Member
168001 still being worked on at the moment. It does look nearly done however.
MerlinRail 804
Member
Why do they put the paths in and then not run them? Surely you’d only put in the paths if you’re absolutely certain they would happen?
150219
Member
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I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from moving units around. Just because a certain unit is at a certain location, doesn't mean it's going to be destined for works.
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Contingency for one. Time another. If something is ready to go and then there is a problem, it doesn't run. Likewise if traincrew aren't available, but that they were. You need the alignment of unit, traincrew and an operational railway to get all the pieces together. A path first helps with finding suitable traincrew.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Doesn't look like either path will run as the inbound hasn't left and is already over an hour late.
150219
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You're right. No such movement today.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Today 168106 has left Crewe depot and went to Banbury Depot working 5U68 10:04 Crewe Carriage Sidings to Banbury Depot.
150219
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And also...
Realtime Trains | 5A68 1442 Banbury Depot to Aylesbury | 24/04/2025
Real-time train running information for 5A68 1442 departure from Banbury Depot to Aylesbury on 24/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
CR165022
Member
168004 looks to be the next to go. I believe its the only other 168 in Banbury Depot currently.
Edit: Confirmed 168004.
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MerlinRail 804
Member
Wow that all happened quickly! Hopefully things should start to get into some sort of a rhythm now and progress a bit more quickly?
150219
Member
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Timescale wise, a lot depends on what is found on works and how much needs to be remedied. You wouldn't want to rush anything through without proper care.
RPM
Established Member
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
168001 still at Crewe depot at of today (24/4/25)
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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
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Still at the station as I type this. Hasn't been called on depot yet.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Now in the shed an hour later than originally planned.
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WillA12
Member
168001 and 004 are in Crewe with 168003 being the only refurbished out the depot and in service
MerlinRail 804
Member
Yeah that’s true. I imagine teething problems are slowly being ironed out with each unit surely?
150219
Member
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It's less about teething problems and more about what condition the vehicles are in and how much work they need to bring them up to the same standard.
Some of that will be known about before they leave for Crewe and some of it will be found during works.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
168004 update as of (28/4/25):
All the stickers have been removed now including the numbers so I don't think it will be long before it goes in the pain shop.
All the stickers have been removed now including the numbers so I don't think it will be long before it goes in the pain shop.
MerlinRail 804
Member
Looks like 106 has been doing some test runs over the last couple of days. No paths in for tomorrow or Friday so could that mean it will be back in service soon?
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 3A68 1050 London Marylebone to Aylesbury | 30/04/2025
Real-time train running information for 3A68 1050 departure from London Marylebone to Aylesbury on 30/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
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RPM
Established Member
MerlinRail 804
Member
106 appears to be back in traffic: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C57923/2025-05-07/detailed