Class 68 Progress, what's the latest?

[Sunbird24]

68 003 should be almost completed by now with 004 well under way?

At least one is virtually complete, it can just be seen in this picture https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...76472130.1073741830.1192973669&type=3&theater behind 772. This was taken on December 27th so it could be nearing completion now and its likely that at least a couple more are almost at the same stage by now. It is also likely that the remainder may be held back until testing has been completed in case there are any modifications required which could be incorporated easier in the factory.
Factory output is 150 units per year but this includes trams also so locomotive output is perhaps half that or less. One per week on average seems to be about what I see and as this includes Euro 3200's for Israel and Euro 4000's for 2-3 customers we are possibly looking at 1 per month more or less.

 

[158722]

'Intrepid' might be out and about Mon/Tue

Dynamic brake testing with rake of Mk2 and the DBS 90 on hire to DRS, 020 or 028, between Carlisle and Preston.

Meanwhile, 11 class 68s for Chiltern to follow the DRS 68s and 88s off the production line...? Hmm...

 

[Photohunter71]

Nice one!! Can't wait to see what the final fleet size in the UK will be. I would hope Scotrail can put in an order for a handful.

 

[83G/84D]

68002 registered on TOPS today but no workings shown for today, loco still at Carlisle Kingmoor.

 

[jopsuk]

Nice one!! Can't wait to see what the final fleet size in the UK will be. I would hope Scotrail can put in an order for a handful.

If they're happy with the service DBS's 67s are giving them on the Sleeper it is unlikely. Perhaps the standalone sleeper franchise may take loco provision "in house"- as soon as they possibly can Scotrail will get rid of the Fife hauled service and go all-unit.

 

[route:oxford]

If they're happy with the service DBS's 67s are giving them on the Sleeper it is unlikely. Perhaps the standalone sleeper franchise may take loco provision "in house"- as soon as they possibly can Scotrail will get rid of the Fife hauled service and go all-unit.

Is the 68 likely to have higher line speeds on WHL?

 

[Photohunter71]

If they're happy with the service DBS's 67s are giving them on the Sleeper it is unlikely. Perhaps the standalone sleeper franchise may take loco provision "in house"- as soon as they possibly can Scotrail will get rid of the Fife hauled service and go all-unit.

I believe that will happen in due course,but not for a good few years yet! And it's always wise to have a back-up plan!

 

[jopsuk]

I really doubt that, whatever you may wish, the Scotrail franchise will ever take on locos as part of its main fleet (ie helping fund a ROSCO purchase of them).

 

[fgwrich]

https://twitter.com/wnxxuk/status/430682868331708416/photo/1

Well, it's out and about and with the 90 on one end, 11 Mk2s in the middle and the 68 on the other.

 

[bennett]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54842/2014/02/04/advanced

 

[fgwrich]

For anyone aiming to see it going down to Crewe, it's running with the 90 on the front and 'Intrepid' tucked inside. Whether or not it'll run back today I don't know but if it does then it'll have the 68 on the front. It's also running 72 minutes late.

 

[83G/84D]

https://twitter.com/wnxxuk/status/430682868331708416/photo/1

Well, it's out and about and with the 90 on one end, 11 Mk2s in the middle and the 68 on the other.

Doing a delayed 5Z69 1102 Carlisle to Crewe, in the Wigan area NOW!

 

[fgwrich]

'Intrepid' has made it's way back to Carlisle, 5Z70 from Crewe (which ran an hour early than scheduled).

 

[Strathclyder]

First video of the run now up on Youtube:
[youtube]?v=GUxUXt9MlU4[/youtube]

 

[miked]

A link to a load more pictures (not mine)
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/68002/Recent

 

[callum112233]

if 90020 is on loan to DRS. Who drives it? A DB man? I'm guessing DRS men don't sign 90's?

 

[fgwrich]

'Intrepid' is out and about again today. Not sure whether it's being 90 hauled again or on it's own now.


12:54 - DRS Class 68 test run - 5Z69 Carlisle to Crewe Gresty Green Up Loop
19:19 - DRS Class 68 test run - 5Z70 Crewe Gresty Green Up Loop to Carlisle

 

[Yew]

Related Question: How do drivers 'sign' a new locomotive like this?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

they go on a training course, like any other stock.....

 

[Peter Sarf]

At long last a nice looking locomotive. Not perfect but arguably impossible to achieve perfection. But better than most of the efforts from the last 20-30 years. A bit better than a 60/92 and far better than 59s/66s/70s.

A real cast nameplate as well.

 

[andrewg70]

'Intrepid' is out and about again today. Not sure whether it's being 90 hauled again or on it's own now.


12:54 - DRS Class 68 test run - 5Z69 Carlisle to Crewe Gresty Green Up Loop
19:19 - DRS Class 68 test run - 5Z70 Crewe Gresty Green Up Loop to Carlisle

was late getting to Crewe & returned earlier than planned with a DRS 47/57 up front & the 68 on the rear
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O68388/2014/02/05/advanced

 

[ModernRailways]

At long last a nice looking locomotive. Not perfect but arguably impossible to achieve perfection. But better than most of the efforts from the last 20-30 years. A bit better than a 60/92 and far better than 59s/66s/70s.

A real cast nameplate as well.

I really quite like the 66/70s myself! All depends on taste really. To me the 68 looks like an angry 67 :P Hopefully the will sound just as good as 70s do!

 

[OuterDistant]

Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or did I just see the 47 + mk2s + 68 going northbound through Stoke?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

To me the 68 looks like an angry 67 :P

New computer game coming soon - Angry Skips...?

 

[martinsh]

68002 at Crewe station this morning around 9am

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or did I just see the 47 + mk2s + 68 going northbound through Stoke?

They didn't deceive you, ran from Carlisle to Crewe to Derby, then back to Crewe and on to Carlisle.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Has the 68 pulled a train in the UK yet, or has the 90/47 always been the lead loco?

EDIT: my two thousandth is an untypically short post

 

[ModernRailways]

Has the 68 pulled a train in the UK yet, or has the 90/47 always been the lead loco?

EDIT: my two thousandth is an untypically short post

It hasn't ran itself yet. I believe it will be a few weeks before it does so too as it has a load of testing to do first. It may be used in Kingmoor yard though to do some work

 

[Photohunter71]

New computer game coming soon - Angry Skips...?

Angry Skips!! That's brilliant!

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or did I just see the 47 + mk2s + 68 going northbound through Stoke?

Had the same problem. Train went passed, 47 on the front and I thought nothing of it for a while, then I realised there was a 68 in the formation behind the leading loco. It ran Stoke to Derby just before 1100. Details were on Realtime Trains (or was it Open Train Times?).