Class 68 Progress, what's the latest?

[Sunbird24]

The last I heard of, from the May issue of Railways Illustrated in an interview with Tony Bush of DRS, was: The next ten are not due in the country until later in the year. “It will be two a month from October,” says Tony, suggesting 68025 will land from Valencia in Spain some time around February 2016.
Two other paragraphs of interest in the same interview:
The 68s have a range of about 1,000 miles between fuelling, although 68002-005 currently have only 5,000-litre tanks while 68001/006-015 have 5,600-litre tanks. The others will be modified in due course when they have their next ‘C-exams’.
Regarding the Class 88 deliveries: “It was meant to be January 2016, but deliveries will start after 68025 has arrived. The bodyshell of 88001 is already fabricated.
There may of course have been changes since then due to the additional order for 68026-32 and also 2 a month could just be an average, it depends upon the availability of suitable ships and their capacity, I assume it would be cheaper to put as many as possible on one ship but I imagine there will be size limitations. particularly at Workington.
As an afterthought, just wonder how much erecting shop space might be taken up with part-built AFRO Duals, if indeed they started any.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Given that the last two 68s delivered (68018 & 68019) arrived on 16th November it looks like things are still on target in relation to the above mentioned delivery schedule in Sunbird24's post.

The last I read was that 88001 would be completed and sent for testing in Europe (Velim ?) just after the end of the second batch of 68s (68016-68025) - so that would be February/March 2016. Then deliveries would continue straight on with the third and final batch of 68s (68026-68032). This makes sense as the rest of the ten 88s will not be worth building until some/all test results come back from the testing of 88001.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Hmm.... Third batch released and delivered in time for TPE's franchise change revealing the new livery to match the 442's?

(Runs for cover!)

 

[Sunbird24]

The last I read was that 88001 would be completed and sent for testing in Europe (Velim ?) just after the end of the second batch of 68s (68016-68025) - so that would be February/March 2016. Then deliveries would continue straight on with the third and final batch of 68s (68026-68032). This makes sense as the rest of the ten 88s will not be worth building until some/all test results come back from the testing of 88001.

88001 is supposedly complete and being prepared to go to Velim in January, it just has not put in an appearance while I have been there. It used to be possible to stand on the pavement at the end of the traverser to watch what was happening but a new building has now blocked that view, although another building has been removed giving another view of the yard, but more buildings have been erected at the top end of the yard blocking the view from that direction. This means that locos being worked on might now be under cover more often so not visible. On my last visit yesterday I saw 9 locos, they were 4 AFRO4000s including #17, 2 68s virtually finished but no ID visible, 2 Euro 4000s for Europorte including #1 which will be 4039, and Eurolight 284001. In addition several trams were visible. There could well have been another 3 locos hidden behind the 68s. There are also about 20 enclosed bays where work is carried out after the locos have come out of the erecting shop, these being for cleaning, preparation, working underneath, painting and various other tasks.
All remaining 68s and all the 88s are expected to be delivered during next year.

 

[MainlineD]

The last I heard of, from the May issue of Railways Illustrated in an interview with Tony Bush of DRS, was: The next ten are not due in the country until later in the year. “It will be two a month from October,” says Tony, suggesting 68025 will land from Valencia in Spain some time around February 2016.
Two other paragraphs of interest in the same interview:
The 68s have a range of about 1,000 miles between fuelling, although 68002-005 currently have only 5,000-litre tanks while 68001/006-015 have 5,600-litre tanks. The others will be modified in due course when they have their next ‘C-exams’.
Regarding the Class 88 deliveries: “It was meant to be January 2016, but deliveries will start after 68025 has arrived. The bodyshell of 88001 is already fabricated.
There may of course have been changes since then due to the additional order for 68026-32 and also 2 a month could just be an average, it depends upon the availability of suitable ships and their capacity, I assume it would be cheaper to put as many as possible on one ship but I imagine there will be size limitations. particularly at Workington.
As an afterthought, just wonder how much erecting shop space might be taken up with part-built AFRO Duals, if indeed they started any.

Last thing I heard is that the next delivery concerns 3 rather than 2 locomotives (68020-022) and will take place in January. Perhaps the original planning as stated by RI has been adapted, so let's see what happens then.

 

[Beebman]

Bucks and MK Fire Brigade have just tweeted some photos of another barbecued Chiltern 68, location believed to be close to the A4010 bridge at West Wycombe:

https://twitter.com/Bucksfire/status/685486185817485312

Two pictures from the scene of this afternoon's train fire near #HighWycombe

 

[sd0733]

Showing as 68011 with AL02 on the reports. Fire didn't go through into any coaches so no injuries. Loco is still so hot that it cannot currently be moved but a loco has been sent to rescue it and take it to High Wycombe to detrain passengers.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I propose a new nickname for these.

Dragons.

 

[SPADTrap]

I propose a new nickname for these.

Dragons.

There was definitely a 'drag-on' after this one!

Off I go

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Quack-Quack-Oops!!!

*bangs head on desk*

*repeatedly*

 

[XCTurbostar]

Snow Hill lines aren't doing too great recently. This is the second class 68 that's caught fire and well there's been two 172s catch fire as well.
Thanks,
Ross

 

[59CosG95]

Shame about the fire-was really hoping for a 68 up to Brum! Least I got a PAD-RDG HST in instead-that's two more down!

 

[66103]

Hello, has there been any news regarding the movement of 88001 to the Czech Republic for testing yet, I believe that was ment to be Early January?

 

[Sunbird24]

Hello, has there been any news regarding the movement of 88001 to the Czech Republic for testing yet, I believe that was ment to be Early January?

I have not even seen a sign of it yet but nor have I seen any mention of it moving anywhere. The whole factory was virtually closed from before Christmas until about a week ago and this morning 68022 (2700-2015) had been removed from the engine testing compound, where 3 of them had been stored along with several Euro and AFRO 4000s since last year, and a lot of body panels around the engine compartment had been removed. No idea if it has anything to do with the recent fires. It is getting a bit tight for having another 3 delivered this month.
Two more were outside on 22nd, one is # 10 of the second order so 68025.

 

[Sunbird24]

STOP PRESS:

88001 in plain blue livery was out on test this morning on the test track just outside the factory gates, running the diesel engine. The pantograph was down. More details later.

 

[Peter Sarf]

STOP PRESS:

88001 in plain blue livery was out on test this morning on the test track just outside the factory gates, running the diesel engine. The pantograph was down. More details later.

Thanks for your info Sunbird24.

I am beginning to wonder what has happened to the deliveries of 68s ?. It was to be two per month but it was over two months ago that the last two 68s were sent.

Back in the UK half of the 68s seem to be not very busy. The busy ones are on Chiltern (6 off), Fife Circle (2 off) and Freight (1 off on Grangemouth to/from Aberdeen). Everything else is a lot less regular.

Something is afoot as 68003 & 68005 are rumoured to be coming off Fife (Genius) and coming South (but how far South ?). They are being replaced by 68007 and 68016. Maybe its time for 68003 & 68005 to have a service ?. But 68007 has been busy on Grangemouth/Aberdeen.

Now where are those 442s !.

 

[Sunbird24]

Thanks for your info Sunbird24.

I am beginning to wonder what has happened to the deliveries of 68s ?. It was to be two per month but it was over two months ago that the last two 68s were sent.

Back in the UK half of the 68s seem to be not very busy. The busy ones are on Chiltern (6 off), Fife Circle (2 off) and Freight (1 off on Grangemouth to/from Aberdeen). Everything else is a lot less regular.

Something is afoot as 68003 & 68005 are rumoured to be coming off Fife (Genius) and coming South (but how far South ?). They are being replaced by 68007 and 68016. Maybe its time for 68003 & 68005 to have a service ?. But 68007 has been busy on Grangemouth/Aberdeen.

Now where are those 442s !.

The original scheduled was changed to 3 in January and 3 in February but that looks like slipping at the moment. Al six appear to be finished but are still being worked on.
I suspect that following the two fires on Chiltern there may be some modification work required and that is being done in the factory.
One ship which could carry them has been anchored offshore at Sagunto for a couple of months "waiting for orders", may have nothing to do with it.
All the above is speculation, I can only give facts on on what I see.
I don't think the cab front is quite the same as a 68 but could not get a clear view. The CAT engine is obviously different as is the whole roof layout and one side is almost plain with just a small cut-out at the engine end. The pantograph sits in an open sided well at the opposite end to the engine, but there may be fairings to be added later.
Just wondering why the mods chose to close the Class 88 thread I created (http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=107049) before the first one even appeared.
Ignoring the outdated livery, it looks just like this! https://twitter.com/railjournal/status/379527745560010752

 

[Karl]

Just wondering why the mods chose to close the Class 88 thread I created (http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=107049) before the first one even appeared.[/url]

I think threads get automatically locked after a set period with no further posts.

I'm sure if you send a PM to a moderator they will unlock it for your future updates.

Thanks for keeping us all posted by the way.

 

[RobShipway]

I think threads get automatically locked after a set period with no further posts.

I'm sure if you send a PM to a moderator they will unlock it for your future updates.

Thanks for keeping us all posted by the way.

It is possible, that since the class 88 is similar design to the class 68 and from the same factory, that the mods thought it better to have one thread for both?

 

[Peter Sarf]

I wondered why that thread had been closed - gosh was it really over a year ago !.

I wondered if it was inactivity. I can see the argument for keeping the two together but on the other hand the purist in me would not allow that.

Thanks for the info about 3 + 3 and I agree there may well be some mods to do before its worth delivering any more. Just teething problems on what is a fairly powerful bit of kit from what I have seen.

 

[Sunbird24]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207274844008045&l=a713ee6de1
This is the link my picture of the new UKDUAL (88001)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207274844008045&l=a713ee6de1
This is the link my picture of the new UKDUAL (88001)

That link doesn't work; it says "content not available"?

 

[Sunbird24]

That link doesn't work; it says "content not available"?

OK, try this link and scroll right to the bottom, or go backwards from the first picture in slideshow view. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...555.1073741929.1192973669&type=1&l=2289f7ceda
Perhaps the fact that it is a private folder overrides all public links. Part of my old agreement with the officials at Vossloh - they have not changed any signs yet and its still the same people!

 

[Peter Sarf]

The Class 88 thread is now un-closed courtesy of mods - thanks.

I note that 68004 has gone to Norwich Crown Point. I hope that is for some Anglia loco hauled duties - taking over from the previous locos (37s ?). Cannot be for wheel turning !.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

OK, try this link and scroll right to the bottom, or go backwards from the first picture in slideshow view. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...555.1073741929.1192973669&type=1&l=2289f7ceda
Perhaps the fact that it is a private folder overrides all public links. Part of my old agreement with the officials at Vossloh - they have not changed any signs yet and its still the same people!

I found my self encountering many 67 lookalikes (oh er) and I nearly did not notice the very blue 68 hidden in the last two thumbnails !. Thanks.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

OK, try this link and scroll right to the bottom, or go backwards from the first picture in slideshow view. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...555.1073741929.1192973669&type=1&l=2289f7ceda
Perhaps the fact that it is a private folder overrides all public links. Part of my old agreement with the officials at Vossloh - they have not changed any signs yet and its still the same people!

Thanks; that one works.

 

[AJM580]

68004 has shown up at Norwich (0Z68 Crewe - Norwich). It may be needed to tow 37422 away for repairs or as a replacement for 57305 which has been busy on stock moves.

 

[66103]

68004 has shown up at Norwich (0Z68 Crewe - Norwich). It may be needed to tow 37422 away for repairs or as a replacement for 57305 which has been busy on stock moves.

Belive it is here for Stock moves, and 90006 movement back from Toton on Tuesday

Could of sent a 68 that hasn't been to Norwich before!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Yes it would have been nice if they had sent one of the newer 68s South instead !.

I notice 68018 & 68019 have not budged from Carlisle since delivery in November 2015. I suppose that, and the lack of further deliveries, means a pause while the manufacturer designs and executes a modification in reaction to the fire that 68011 suffered whilst on Chiltern.

Does anyone know what all these 68s are going to be used for ?. At the moment just over half are in use and 9/19 seem to be sat around doing nothing. That is three at each of Crewe and Kingmoor, two at Motherwell and the toasted 68011 at Longport. Mind it is, arguably, only 4 idle if you ignore 68011, the two possibly not yet accepted at Kingmoor and the two at Motherwell which might be flirting with Genius work and the Inverness working that I have not seen run lately.

 

[59CosG95]

Update: 020-022 are due in at Workington Docks aboard the ship "ATLANTIC" at 2355 tomorrow (if any of you lot are crazy enough to be in Workington at that time)! In addition, 68018 and 019 are now in regular traffic, and 011 has returned to service (it worked today's Crewe BH-Mountsorrel trip and its respective return).

 

[themiller]

66431 led 66430 north from Workington Docks today hauling 68021, 68020 with 68022 at the rear, pausing for a couple of minutes in the platform avoiding loop at Maryport today at 1211 departing at 1217. 66430's engine was running but not providing traction power. The 68s were in plain blue with the numbers printed on data sheets taped onto the inside of both drivers' door windows both ends of each loco (at least on the platform side

). 68020 had a builder's plate which read No 2698 2015, 68021 read No 2699 2015, and 68022 read No 2700 2015.​