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TPE Nova 3 (Class 68 + Mk5s) updates and withdrawal from service

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D6975

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26 Nov 2009
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Good looking they may be....but they aren't half rough-riding and the seat/window interface is very poor! :frown:
I was up there shortly before the stand down and I must say that I found the MK5a ride OK, but the draught on my elbows from those bloody grilles below the windows was most annoying. However I also rode on 802s a couple of times and these are considerably superior in comfort and ride, they really are very smooth and the seats very comfortable compared to the bloody awful seats that GWR IETs are fitted with.
 

coxxy

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16 Aug 2013
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353
Good looking they may be....but they aren't half rough-riding and the seat/window interface is very poor! :frown:

What got me was that some were so much worse than others.. driving from the DT had some awful rattling and bumps - but they did get better over time
 

yorksrob

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Good looking they may be....but they aren't half rough-riding and the seat/window interface is very poor! :frown:

Indeed. I'm highly sceptical about the loss of capacity from TPE, and I didn't mind the interior (although the seat/window arrangement needed adjusting) however its hard to see how they'd be an improvement over Chiltern's mk3's.
 

Bletchleyite

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I was up there shortly before the stand down and I must say that I found the MK5a ride OK, but the draught on my elbows from those bloody grilles below the windows was most annoying. However I also rode on 802s a couple of times and these are considerably superior in comfort and ride, they really are very smooth and the seats very comfortable compared to the bloody awful seats that GWR IETs are fitted with.

They're exactly the same as the GWR and LNER ones across all three Nova fleets (except the first class ones in the Mk5 and 397). They just haven't collapsed yet as they're newer. The only TOC to put a different cushion on the Sophia to try to solve that problem is Transport for Wales.
 

12LDA28C

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Indeed. I'm highly sceptical about the loss of capacity from TPE, and I didn't mind the interior (although the seat/window arrangement needed adjusting) however its hard to see how they'd be an improvement over Chiltern's mk3's.

The improvement over Chiltern's Mk3s would come with the condition of the stock and ease of maintenance from the Operator's point of view.
 

xotGD

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4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,501
Good looking they may be....but they aren't half rough-riding and the seat/window interface is very poor! :frown:
The head/window interface is also very poor, on account of the inability to stick the former out of the latter. :D
 

D6975

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Bristol
They're exactly the same as the GWR and LNER ones across all three Nova fleets (except the first class ones in the Mk5 and 397). They just haven't collapsed yet as they're newer. The only TOC to put a different cushion on the Sophia to try to solve that problem is Transport for Wales.
That must be what it is. The difference in the level of comfort caused by the collapsing is very stark, I wouldn't have believed they were the same seat if not told.
 

warwickshire

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Thursday 28th March 2024:
1. 5Q94 0856 Longsight T.M.D to Long Marston with 68027 and TP06, now at Long Marston for probable debranding and storage. Another one in ex Transpennie Livery most likely has now disappeared. 8 late at Barnt Green earlier on today.
2. 5Q32 1543 Long Marston to Longsight
With 68027, also ran today Thursday 28th March 2024. However didn't see it.
Does anyone kindly know please what set returned to Longsight please and was the set also fully debranded on its return for servicing, to Longsight, please like TP03 and TP04 was when they recently went back. Thank You.
 

Covshire1

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4 Jan 2018
Messages
159
Thursday 28th March 2024:
1. 5Q94 0856 Longsight T.M.D to Long Marston with 68027 and TP06, now at Long Marston for probable debranding and storage. Another one in ex Transpennie Livery most likely has now disappeared. 8 late at Barnt Green earlier on today.
2. 5Q32 1543 Long Marston to Longsight
With 68027, also ran today Thursday 28th March 2024. However didn't see it.
Does anyone kindly know please what set returned to Longsight please and was the set also fully debranded on its return for servicing, to Longsight, please like TP03 and TP04 was when they recently went back. Thank You.
TP07 was the set on 5Q32. It still had its TPE vinyls and branding...
 

Peter Sarf

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12 Oct 2010
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Croydon
Are all the (ex)TPE Mk5s now at Longsight and Long Marston (*) ?.

Or does Gascoigne Wood, Crewe etc still host any ?.

* = I think 12802 is still hiding at CAF Newport ?.
 

warwickshire

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Are all the (ex)TPE Mk5s now at Longsight and Long Marston (*) ?.

Or does Gascoigne Wood, Crewe etc still host any ?.

* = I think 12802 is still hiding at CAF Newport ?.
Wolverton has TP01,
Longsight TP04, TP08, TP07
Crewe TP02 TP03 TP10
Long Marston TP05, TP06 TP09 TP11 TP12 TP13.
As far as I am aware to the very best of my Knowledge.
 

317362

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7 Sep 2017
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217
Here's 68027 + TP07 on Thu 28/3/24 at Lower Moor. Something similar allegedly in for tomorrow Tue 2/4/24
 

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warwickshire

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Thursday 04th April 2024.
1. 5Q94 0856 Longsight Tmd to Long Marston observed through Barnt Green saw 68031 Felix still Named and still in Transpennie Express Livery, taking unbranded set TP04 back to Long Marston from Longsight.
2. 5Q32 1456 Long Marston Tmd to Longsight depot, saw 68031 Felix, returning but with a unbranded set TP12, to Longsight for servicing after being debranded at Long Marston.
Unlike TP07, which did return to Longsight for servicing branded on Thursday 29th March 2024.
However due to TP04, returning to Long Marston once more unbranded, due to the 45 day layover at Long Marston, before it needs servicing again, as mentioned up thread, also off lease May 2024, as mentioned up thread, is it possible it might already have had its final visit to Longsight, already signed off, any final servicing and repairs done and now remaining at Long Marston, until it finds a new lease of life? Because after 45 days brings it to its off lease date anyway now? Thank you for any further information on this.

Monday 08th April 2023 as reported on Website Old Live rail record, and Class 68 Facebook groups saw, 5Q32, 1008 Crewe South Yard to Longsight T.M.D, 68023 unbranded in Blue, with TP10, ie TP10 for servicing to Longsight still, in Transpennie Express branded livery.

Here's 68027 + TP07 on Thu 28/3/24 at Lower Moor. Something similar allegedly in for tomorrow Tue 2/4/24
Thursday 04th April 2024.
1. 5Q94 0856 Longsight Tmd to Long Marston observed through Barnt Green saw 68031 Felix still Named and still in Transpennie Express Livery, taking unbranded set TP04 back to Long Marston from Longsight.
2. 5Q32 1456 Long Marston Tmd to Longsight depot, saw 68031 Felix, returning but with a unbranded set TP12, to Longsight for servicing after being debranded at Long Marston.
Unlike TP07, which did return to Longsight for servicing branded on Thursday 29th March 2024.
However due to TP04, returning to Long Marston once more unbranded, due to the 45 day layover at Long Marston, before it needs servicing again, as mentioned up thread, also off lease May 2024, as mentioned up thread, is it possible it might already have had its final visit to Longsight, already signed off, any final servicing and repairs done and now remaining at Long Marston, until it finds a new lease of life? Because after 45 days brings it to its off lease date anyway now? Thank you for any further information on this.

Monday 08th April 2023 as reported on Website Old Live rail record, and Class 68 Facebook groups saw, 5Q32, 1008 Crewe South Yard to Longsight T.M.D, 68023 unbranded in Blue, with TP10, ie TP10 for servicing to Longsight still, in Transpennie Express branded livery.
Tuesday 09th April 2024, 5Q94 0856 Longsight T.M.D to Long Marston saw 68027 take branded set TP07 back to Long Marston,most likely for unbranded, etc this time around after servicing at Longsight.

Tuesday 09th April 2024.
1. 5q32 1534 Long Marston to Longsight T.M.D.
Saw 68027 returning with Unbranded set TP05.
TP05 now debranded and at Longsight for maintenance exam.

Wednesday 10th April 2024.
1. 5Q32 1008 Crewe South Yard to Longsight Car Md. Does anyone kindly know please what was on this Mk5 move back to Longsight. From Crewe
Was on a passing, train, but only saw TP03, unbranded set around 1000ish in Crewe South Yard amongst the 175, with its Hazard lights on, amongst at Least a Undeitfied Branded set no Hazard lights on, presumably it would be TP03, but cannot say for certain.
Any further information. Is much appreciated.
Thank You.
 
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