Class 68 Progress, what's the latest?

[Beveridges]

70s are quiet, sound exactly the same as a 66 but with a low pitched engine note.

 

[8A Rail]

70s are quiet, sound exactly the same as a 66 but with a low pitched engine note.

Class 70's when under power are not the same as a Class 66. You can a hear a Class 70 for a distance when working hard compared with a Class 66.

 

[fgwrich]

Class 70's when under power are not the same as a Class 66. You can a hear a Class 70 for a distance when working hard compared with a Class 66.

Definitely. As I've said before, you only need to be somewhere on the SWML to hear them working hard up the bank from Eastleigh to Micheldever to hear them roaring away in the distance. Last time I was in Micheldever, on a still night, I could hear the thing enter and leave Worthy down tunnel a good 5 minutes before screaming through Micheldever on a loaded liner - The Engine noise is a noticeable grumble, but the traction motors and rad fans are the nosiest bit's of equipment on those things.

 

[Photohunter71]

Definitely. As I've said before, you only need to be somewhere on the SWML to hear them working hard up the bank from Eastleigh to Micheldever to hear them roaring away in the distance. Last time I was in Micheldever, on a still night, I could hear the thing enter and leave Worthy down tunnel a good 5 minutes before screaming through Micheldever on a loaded liner - The Engine noise is a noticeable grumble, but the traction motors and rad fans are the nosiest bit's of equipment on those things.

Exactly!! Who on earth is under the impression all diesel equipment sound exactly the same as a 66? 66's/67's are 2 stroke engines,,others are a standard 4 stroke!:roll:

 

[Topgun333]

70s are quiet, sound exactly the same as a 66 but with a low pitched engine note.

In my office near Trafford Park it is incredibly easy to tell a 70 from a 66 under load. You can feel and hear the low thumping of the 70's caterpillar engine way before you see it, it's unique and unmistakeable. I can even tell when a 70 is approaching when I am sat on the khazi! I can barely hear a 66 from there...

 

[fgwrich]

In my office near Trafford Park it is incredibly easy to tell a 70 from a 66 under load. You can feel and hear the low thumping of the 70's caterpillar engine way before you see it, it's unique and unmistakeable. I can even tell when a 70 is approaching when I am sat on the khazi! I can barely hear a 66 from there...

*Pedant note - Those 70s have a GE Jenbacher engine. But I know and agree with what you mean, those 70s do make more of a noise than a 66

 

[J123]

There is a class 68 behind Eastleigh works at present. I hope it gets moved somewhere near the platforms by the end of my college day so I can see it.

I was one of the first people to see 68002 as it was unloaded from the ship and transported through Southampton. It was being moved to Carlisle along with a tram unit bound for Nottingham.

 

[Boothby97]

There is a class 68 behind Eastleigh works at present. I hope it gets moved somewhere near the platforms by the end of my college day so I can see it.

It's 68002, the only one to reach the UK so far

 

[Sunbird24]

It's 68002, the only one to reach the UK so far

Actually it could also be 68003 or 68004, both were virtually completed by the beginning of last week and only one was still visible there yesterday so the other could have been shipped, its only an overnight drive to the north coast ports on the new motorways and a 2-day crossing.

 

[Boothby97]

Actually it could also be 68003 or 68004, both were virtually completed by the beginning of last week and only one was still visible there yesterday so the other could have been shipped, its only an overnight drive to the north coast ports on the new motorways and a 2-day crossing.

Well it's definitely 002 at Eastleigh Works. It was moved down there last month, and as there is no road access into the works (IIRC) so if 003/004 had arrived in the UK and had moved by rail to Eastleigh someone would have noticed.

 

[Sunbird24]

Well it's definitely 002 at Eastleigh Works. It was moved down there last month, and as there is no road access into the works (IIRC) so if 003/004 had arrived in the UK and had moved by rail to Eastleigh someone would have noticed.

They are both likely to be delivered shortly, by which route and method probably depends on approvals for movement by rail and costs of the various methods. The factory does not currently have a standard guage connection but mixed gauge tracks are to be installed between Valencia and Tarragona if current plans are realised. Doubling is currently in progress along with some realignment.

 

[Y186520]

Well it's definitely 002 at Eastleigh Works. It was moved down there last month, and as there is no road access into the works (IIRC) so if 003/004 had arrived in the UK and had moved by rail to Eastleigh someone would have noticed.

Road access is there off Campbell Road, just a short distance from the
bridge over the main line. About 1 mile as the crow flies from where I am
now.
Quite alot of underground stock has been cut up in the works over the last few months and that arrived by lorry.
Locos have been taken over Campbell Road bridge in the past. I have seen a 33 going that way.
Other locos which have moved from the works have been
shunted to the Foster Yeoman terminal in the old marshalling yard for removal by road.

And yes I havn't been to try and see the 68. (yet)

 

[Matt Taylor]

There quite definitely is road access at Eastleigh:

Underground stock arriving at Eastleigh


The 68 is not at the front with the 57s, it can (probably) only be seen by getting a train to Hedge End and back.

 

[Boothby97]

Wasn't sure if there was road access. Just I recall that the ex-Southeastern 508s which left Eastleigh Works last year for use as fire training vehicles were moved by rail to Southampton Docks, then onward by road.

 

[J123]

There quite definitely is road access at Eastleigh:

Underground stock arriving at Eastleigh


The 68 is not at the front with the 57s, it can (probably) only be seen by getting a train to Hedge End and back.

At present the 68 is still behind the works but is mostly hidden from view by some brown freight wagons, I saw it on the way to college this morning. You can only see a glimpse of it as the train moves around the bend.

 

[Sunbird24]

68003 Astute left the factory by road on 6 April 2014.
68001 has no nameplate but has been reportedly named Evolution. It should be returning from the Velim fest circuit to the factory for completion shortly. It went to Vuosaari, Finland by road to be shipped to Spain by sea on a scheduled shipping service.
68004 still had no nameplate last time I saw it..

 

[Monty]

I read in on of the modern railway mags that DRS confirmed that all the locos would be named after Warships.

 

[Photohunter71]

I read in on of the modern railway mags that DRS confirmed that all the locos would be named after Warships.

I was going to say something of that nature too,because naming 003 "Astute" sounded like they were going to use a few RN vessel names. Just waiting for Diamond,Daring,Dauntless,Invincible,Hood,Royal oak etc etc! I'm pleased to see such naming traditions returning to our railway locomotives.

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

"I read in on of the modern railway mags that DRS confirmed that all the locos would be named after Warships"

Was rather expecting Class 42 names...not boats....what a shame....

 

[The Citadel]

Evolution and Defiant and Goliath defiantly weren't warships though.

 

[Photohunter71]

I take it there's a published list of names somewhere?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

"I read in on of the modern railway mags that DRS confirmed that all the locos would be named after Warships"

Was rather expecting Class 42 names...not boats....what a shame....

Well the 42's got their "Warship" nickname after being named after err...Warships which is basically a big boat with armaments on board!

 

[159220]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adriancot/13647724363/

Lets hope she is a grander Astute than HMS Astute: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/nov/15/hms-astute-submarine-slow-leaky-rusty

 

[jopsuk]

Evolution and Defiant and Goliath defiantly weren't warships though.

There have been six HMS Goliath
No "Defiant"- other than in fiction, granted. There's a US Navy Tug called USS Defiant (and fictional USS Defiants in Star Trek).

Can't find a warship called Evolution- closest is that someone seems to think there was such a ship in Operation Torch, but he seems to be alone in that belief.

there are some quite unlikely names on the complete HMS list.. For example

 

[Monty]

It could also be a typo or clerical error, the Royal Navy has had several ships named HMS Defiance. It's also worth a mention that the RN had a stone frigate in London that was named HMS Evolution though admittedly not for very long.

 

[Photohunter71]

Could some kindly soul please remind me of how much a 68 was pricewise?

 

[HSTEd]

WWII escorts produced some truly strange names, for instance the Flower class Corvette HMS Tulip - Pennant K29.

 

[ExRes]

WWII escorts produced some truly strange names, for instance the Flower class Corvette HMS Tulip - Pennant K29.

How about a gang of drunken matelots walking through Portsmouth with HMS Candytuft (K09) on their caps

Hello sailors
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Could some kindly soul please remind me of how much a 68 was pricewise?

I expect there are numerous quotes on the contract value, Railnews said 70m Euros for the 15 which is just under £58m today

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...xYGwDQ&usg=AFQjCNHyj0hYmSI_AuZJ4BM92Ospav1zXw

 

[HSTEd]

Candytuft is an honoured name of the Royal Navy - what with having two ships against it instead of one :P

 

[ExRes]

The 30 class 67s supposedly cost £45m in 1999, that's approx. £44.9m more than they were worth IMHO

 

[junglejames]

The 30 class 67s supposedly cost £45m in 1999, that's approx. £44.9m more than they were worth IMHO

Oh come on, be fair. It was only about £44.89m more surely?