YorkshireBear
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They are mixed traffic so not many of the other FOCs are interested as they are more likely to want pure freight locos.
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Class 68 Progress, what's the latest?
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Sunbird24
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Before anyone else can order new locomotives they will have to comply with the new requirements, ie Cat IIIb, which will involve a redesign of the body to accommodate the diesel particulate filter in place of a silencer. DRS may be able to order a few more if they already have options open but my understanding is that no new orders can be made now.
This article http://dcl-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DPFs-for-Large-Stationary-Engines.pdf gives an idea of the size required for large diesel engines. Judging by this we could be looking at another metre length of the locomotive which could equate to another 5% extra body weight plus the weight of the filter, so we are then looking at a locomotive of 90 tons or 22.5 tons per axle. Maybe one option would be to make it a Co-Bo to get back under 20.
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There is a pure freight version of the Eurolight which it is derived from also. The only difference is gearing for a maximum speed of 120 kmh (75 mph).
ridiculous, isn't it. :roll:
TheGrew
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I wonder whether we will see many more straight diesel locos now with the new rules. In 30-40 years time when the 68s retire I could imagine most major routes in the UK will be electrified. I think more 88 type units is likely.
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Beveridges
Established Member
They just do what a 67 does but with more power and tractive effort
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Given that it can take 24 months or more from an order being placed to the rolling stock (be it units or locomotives) being in traffic, it does seem that the various regulations (emissions and crashworthiness in particular) are being updated quicker than the industry can keep up with said standards.
I guess it's more of a problem here with our restrictive loading gauge than on the mainland though.
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Sunbird24
Member
Another snippet of news today - 68007 has been named "Valiant".
HSTEd
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The performance gap between diesels and electrics does seem to be opening as emissions requirements weigh down the former with new equipment whilst improvements in power electronics lighten the latter.
We now have 84t locomotives in Switzerland with 9300hp under 15kV supply. Whilst 150t CoCo heavy freight locos in China now manage 12,900hp.
Electrics are scary.
We now have 84t locomotives in Switzerland with 9300hp under 15kV supply. Whilst 150t CoCo heavy freight locos in China now manage 12,900hp.
Electrics are scary.
Photohunter71
Member
So,odds on betting for "Anson" "Howe" "Hood" to be on one of the next batches?
Sunbird24
Member
Who knows. Maybe the Chiltern batch will get their own unique names, it's all speculation at the moment. We still have no further news on one having Northern Belle livery. I saw 001 still in dirty white and 006/007 in DRS livery last week along with what was probably 008 in undercoat (at least on the side I could see). It's possible that could be a later one as some get partially painted well before completion. I have seen a South African bodyshell already painted blue and also some tram bodies are painted before they go for fitting out.
I might have more news tomorrow evening. No more news, except that 68007 Valiant has works number 2685 as expected. It appears that 68001 is still behind it inside the open ended shed unpainted, will add pictures later. No sign of any others outside but a 68? roof panel was delivered by the low-loader this morning (13 May).
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Photohunter71
Member
Then could it possibly be that 68 001 will be in Northern belle livery?
Sunbird24
Member
The original reporter (to Mainlinediesels.net) confirmed that they had already seen a loco in NB livery at Albuixech. This was after I sent a picture of a 3200 in beige undercoat taken around the same time. Since we now know it was not any of the first seven, number 8 was still unpainted and the rest still under construction we are all confused. Perhaps it was A) a full size mock-up, B) a vynil covering, C) the bodyshell of a later unit sent for painting before assembly (it happens sometimes) or D) something else... We are now playing "wait and see".
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The Citadel
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none in NB livery.
Sunbird24
Member
Latest news from today is that two more 68s have appeared in plain blue livery, one with some panels in DRS livery, but both without logos or numbers so unlikely to have any other identification.
One was in the shed where 68001 was earlier this week, it was moved out onto the traverser, then back in again on the other road, so I got several photos but need to study them closer to see if the roof and underframe look used or new. This I have done and it could be 68001 judging by the hotchpotch of parts (doors and panels), paint coming off (painted over grease?) and holes where the original (incorrect) works plate was fitted.
The other, which did look brand new so could have been 68008, was on the test track, coupled together with 68007 Valiant but almost hidden from view until I was about to leave when suddenly (after a couple of hours of engine running and horn blowing occasionally) they moved off out of the complex. I quickly drove round to the level crossing and got several photographs of the pair before they moved back to where they started. They did not go across the level crossing onto the test track proper while I was there, but both were under power. They appeared to be taking turns to move each other but no idea what tests were being performed. Maybe checking out MU operation, or just using each other as a load.
I will post all the photos later tonight if I get time. No sign of 68006 but road transporters were busy moving out new tram units.
One was in the shed where 68001 was earlier this week, it was moved out onto the traverser, then back in again on the other road, so I got several photos but need to study them closer to see if the roof and underframe look used or new. This I have done and it could be 68001 judging by the hotchpotch of parts (doors and panels), paint coming off (painted over grease?) and holes where the original (incorrect) works plate was fitted.
The other, which did look brand new so could have been 68008, was on the test track, coupled together with 68007 Valiant but almost hidden from view until I was about to leave when suddenly (after a couple of hours of engine running and horn blowing occasionally) they moved off out of the complex. I quickly drove round to the level crossing and got several photographs of the pair before they moved back to where they started. They did not go across the level crossing onto the test track proper while I was there, but both were under power. They appeared to be taking turns to move each other but no idea what tests were being performed. Maybe checking out MU operation, or just using each other as a load.
I will post all the photos later tonight if I get time. No sign of 68006 but road transporters were busy moving out new tram units.
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It appears we are the only railway still painting loco fronts yellow.
Loki
Member
Kinda ruins quite a few otherwise good liveries, doesn't it? It seem the class 345 units might not have it. Or so the renders suggest.
59CosG95
Established Member
Ireland and Belgium still do it, and so does Australia to a limited extent.
Loki
Member
For some reason the Belgium liveries seem to look quite better than ours. I think they've got much more freedom how the yellow paint is applied.
I think it depends. The yellow panel does occassionally make things look worse than might otherwise be the case (and I think the 68s might be an example of that). However, in general I think the yellow panel is ok and, judging by some of the photoshops I've seen of UK stock without the yellow, actually improves the look of a livery in some cases.
As the ultimate example I think the large logo BR livery with the big yellow ends was the most flattering seen on many classes of loco. The 37's, 47's and especially the 50's being my favourite.
Sunbird24
Member
A lot of non-ex EWS 66s in Europe have yellow warning panels, and some Sri Lankan locos have yellow cabs and/or noses, also some in Australia and New Zealand, but these latter are more part of the livery than warning panels.
Completely agree with that! Even the 2x 86s that briefly appeared in large logo looked great!
Novelty and Sans Pareil I think they were called. Can't remember the numbers off the top of my head. Used to love seeing them go past on trips to Crewe with my dad.
I may be wrong, those two were deffo in a non standard livery for a while though.
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Sunbird24
Member
I assume you refer to the trials in UK as opposed to the test running in Spain where they appear to be testing them in multiple mode.
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86214 & 86235 - done in connection of the Rainhill 150th L&M Anniversary celebrations in 1980.
Sunbird24
Member
Not much news from the factory this week but I did see four 68s on 22nd. One in a shiny new plain blue livery but doors and two small panels in DRS livery. I still think this may be 68001 which otherwise I have not seen this week. 68007 Valiant is still being worked on in the yard. No sign of 68006 Daring or the 68 in plain blue livery which was test running with 68007 last week and I think might be 68008 Avenger, which appeared on 23rd in full DRS livery and with a nameplate and worksplate showing 2686 - 2014. The other two I saw on 22nd were both still in white and beige undercoat, side by side in the erecting shop so from the batch 68009 upwards.
3 Euro 4000s (4027, 4028 and one unidentified) and a Euro 3200 (unidentified) were also seen on 22nd. On 23rd the Euro 3200 in undercoat had disappeared and been replaced by one in Israel Railways red, white and blue livery but unnumbered at present although likely to be 1323 with the one disappeared (gone for painting?) being 1324, the final member of the class.
3 Euro 4000s (4027, 4028 and one unidentified) and a Euro 3200 (unidentified) were also seen on 22nd. On 23rd the Euro 3200 in undercoat had disappeared and been replaced by one in Israel Railways red, white and blue livery but unnumbered at present although likely to be 1323 with the one disappeared (gone for painting?) being 1324, the final member of the class.
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Boothby97
Established Member
Reported on WNXX/gen groups that 68004 is currently working 6Z76 Crewe to Willesden (with 47805 and 66426). http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O02020/2014/05/28/advanced
68 and 47 are expected to be removed at Daventry (maybe at Northampton North Jn?), so they can work a Scottish bound working.
68 and 47 are expected to be removed at Daventry (maybe at Northampton North Jn?), so they can work a Scottish bound working.
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Neilo09
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When could we expect to see the 68's running under there own power ?
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