Saw a TPE-liveried loco hauling what looked like three freight cars at Carlisle today - suspect it was 3J11, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:02423/2023-10-16/detailed, maybe some sort of test train? DRS-liveried loco on the back.
Saw a TPE-liveried loco hauling what looked like three freight cars at Carlisle today - suspect it was 3J11, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:02423/2023-10-16/detailed, maybe some sort of test train? DRS-liveried loco on the back.
Aha! Thanks.That's an RHTT - Rail head treatment train. They spray high pressure water jets on the track to clear leaf fall/mulch.
Test trains almost invariable run with a xQxx headcode. If a class 3 its a UTU. The Q in the headcode indicates a train that is line specific.
Bristol to Weymouth 42+15 = 57 ?? Nowhere near, Bristol Weymouth is over 87 miles. (Journey time usually just under 2h30m)I'm interested to know why trains travelling the 42 miles between York and Scarborough are often described as 'shuttles'. Are trains which cover similar distances, ie from London to Brighton, Manchester to Blackpool, etc also called shuttles? Bristol to Weymouth is slightly longer - is that a shuttle, or does the 15 extra miles make the difference? Trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh cover a similar distance as York to Scarborough - are they classed as shuttles? Genuine question - when does a train route between two points no longer be described as a shuttle?
Those diagrams are well out of date. There are now only 5 diagrams that can be a 68, but a maximum of 4 diagrams are only ever 68s at any one time. Sometimes set swaps happen, sometimes swapping over a 68 and a 185 (happened today). Very occasionally a 68 ends up on a 185 diagram but not very often. Recently the number of 68s out on weekdays have been: (the really low nos are strike or no rest working days)There are booked diagrams over the Pennines. There clearly have to be in order to get them to and from Manchester. The simplifier is up thread - https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...awal-from-service.190693/page-49#post-6293153
Whether a 68+Mk5 set appears on them is down to whether there has been a 185 substitution somewhere in the cyclic diagrams. That isn't really a matter of one diagram being any more or less 'reliable' than another.
4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
I just got my information from the Trainline website which puts Bristol-Weymouth at 58 miles so they've obviously lost 30 miles somewhereBristol to Weymouth 42+15 = 57 ?? Nowhere near, Bristol Weymouth is over 87 miles. (Journey time usually just under 2h30m)
Those diagrams are well out of date. There are now only 5 diagrams that can be a 68, but a maximum of 4 diagrams are only ever 68s at any one time. Sometimes set swaps happen, sometimes swapping over a 68 and a 185 (happened today). Very occasionally a 68 ends up on a 185 diagram but not very often. Recently the number of 68s out on weekdays have been: (the really low nos are strike or no rest working days)
4 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 0 1 1 3 4 4 3 3 2 3
I just got my information from the Trainline website which puts Bristol-Weymouth at 58 miles so they've obviously lost 30 miles somewhere
Using the Google Maps "Measure Distance" tool, that shorter figure is "as the crow flies".I just got my information from the Trainline website which puts Bristol-Weymouth at 58 miles so they've obviously lost 30 miles somewhere
I would not hang onto the rail definition of "shuttle" too much. I think the use of the word "shuttle" refers to the fact that the Mk5s are getting restricted to mainly work between between York and Scarborough with fewer and fewer longer trips across the Pennines. So it is shuttle compared to the longer trips across the Pennines that we all hope for.I'm interested to know why trains travelling the 42 miles between York and Scarborough are often described as 'shuttles'. Are trains which cover similar distances, ie from London to Brighton, Manchester to Blackpool, etc also called shuttles? Bristol to Weymouth is slightly longer - is that a shuttle, or does the 15 extra miles make the difference? Trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh cover a similar distance as York to Scarborough - are they classed as shuttles? Genuine question - when does a train route between two points no longer be described as a shuttle?
The diagrams are now not adhered to very well but are probably the nearest we have. A lot more shuttling to and fro between York and Scarborough at the expense of getting across the Pennines to Manchester. Sometimes a diagram gets a set swap - obviously to get a set to and from Longsight via Manchester. Some swaps with 185 diagrams. Never see all five fulfilled by Mk5s anymore. Still more valid than not.Bristol to Weymouth 42+15 = 57 ?? Nowhere near, Bristol Weymouth is over 87 miles. (Journey time usually just under 2h30m)
Those diagrams are well out of date. There are now only 5 diagrams that can be a 68, but a maximum of 4 diagrams are only ever 68s at any one time. Sometimes set swaps happen, sometimes swapping over a 68 and a 185 (happened today). Very occasionally a 68 ends up on a 185 diagram but not very often. Recently the number of 68s out on weekdays have been: (the really low nos are strike or no rest working days)
4 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 0 1 1 3 4 4 3 3 2 3
I have it that 68028 was last used with set TP12 and 68030 was last used with set TP10 on 13/10/2023. Can I assume they are likely to go back to the same sets if Gresty Bridge is just servicing them ?.68028 + 68030 did this light engine move today from Longsight to Gresty Bridge as 0B42
Realtime Trains | 0B42 1300 Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) | 17/10/2023
Real-time train running information for 0B42 1300 departure from Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) on 17/10/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.www.realtimetrains.co.uk
I had 68 030 / TP10 on Monday this week, 16th. It was on the diagram that includes the 13.12 from Malton and the 17.03 from York.I have it that 68028 was last used with set TP12 and 68030 was last used with set TP10 on 13/10/2023. Can I assume they are likely to go back to the same sets if Gresty Bridge is just servicing them ?.
Or might it be that 68021 & 029 have now been swapped on to those two sets?I have it that 68028 was last used with set TP12 and 68030 was last used with set TP10 on 13/10/2023. Can I assume they are likely to go back to the same sets if Gresty Bridge is just servicing them ?
68028 + 68030 did this light engine move today from Longsight to Gresty Bridge as 0B42
Realtime Trains | 0B42 1300 Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) | 17/10/2023
Real-time train running information for 0B42 1300 departure from Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) on 17/10/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.www.realtimetrains.co.uk
After having read yet another incorrect post about which locos have left TPE, 68021 and 029 are now on Longsight after working 0B32.
Ah. Good timing as I might go for a coach to York tomorrow or soon or maybe stay at home and watch the rainTPE Class 68s at 1800 on 18.10.2023
68019 Sellafield BNFL
68020 Crewe Basford Hall
68021/TP10 Longsight
68022 3J11 Carlisle RHTT
68023/TP09 Longsight
68024 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68025 Stoke Marcroft Engineering
68026/TP05 1U72 1748 SCA-LDS
68027/TP08 Longsight
68028 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68029/TP12 1U71 1730 MAN-SCA
68030 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68031 Willesden Brent DRS
68032/TP13 allox 5U78 2023 SCA-YRK
Sets with no loco
Longsight: TP04
Crewe South Yard: TP02/03/06/07/11
Wolverton: TP01
I don’t believe so, no.Ah. Good timing as I might go for a coach to York tomorrow or soon or maybe stay at home and watch the rain.
I assume all those TPE 68s are getting drawn away for RHTT use ?.
Plenty to choose from with 68023/26/27/32 out.Do we have any idea on diagrams for tomorrow please folks? Planning one last bash
Most welcome. As with today, Class 185s do substitute, so always worth checking RTT on the dayCan i just say thanks for you posting these diagrams. They are very much appreciated.
We have identified a series of initiatives that we will implement at the Dec-23 timetable change to improve operational delivery and performance.
We have identified that removing Class 68 loco-hauled trains (Nova 3) from the timetable is a significant opportunity to simplify the business, improve our performance and smooth training delivery for trainee drivers. There remain some risks that, while removing the trains will improve performance, increasing growth, may in turn create possible longer-term overcrowding. This will be monitored closely and we are working on a range of options to mitigate this which may include reintroduction of the Class 68 fleet subject to substantial investment in depot facilities and retraining needed to fully deploy the fleet reliably. However, given limitations on fleet deployment with only half the fleet being able to be put into service, the reduction in seats will only be 5%. The remaining fleet is still more than 60% larger than it was in 2018 with demand over the same period very much reduced. These trains are nearly three and a half times more expensive to operate per vehicle mile than the average for other TPE fleets and there are several issues around stabling. The time to train traincrew at 20 days is significantly more than for other fleets. The trains are currently leased until May-24. Allowing these trains to go off lease would enable the development of a more flexible depot strategy for Class 397 and Class 802 trains.
If they are off lease from May 2024, the lease company doesn't have to allow a 'reprieve' if it can find another use for them. It would no doubt want some sort of retainer payment against the chance of a reprieve if there is otherwise a void period.Interesting section about 68s. We'll be seeing the back of them for now, but they might get a reprieve
Thanks for that - it gave me the clues to hope for two at York. TP13 looked to have another day in the East but better still I figured I had a 1/3 chance that TP09 would venture out. Nothing allocated on RTT. I could not sleep at 3am this morning so I got up and re checked RTT - allocations finally applied and Bingo. By 4am coaches were booked and I got two hours sleep this morning.TPE Class 68s at 1800 on 18.10.2023
68019 Sellafield BNFL
68020 Crewe Basford Hall
68021/TP10 Longsight
68022 3J11 Carlisle RHTT
68023/TP09 Longsight
68024 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68025 Stoke Marcroft Engineering
68026/TP05 1U72 1748 SCA-LDS
68027/TP08 Longsight
68028 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68029/TP12 1U71 1730 MAN-SCA
68030 Crewe Gresty Bridge
68031 Willesden Brent DRS
68032/TP13 allox 5U78 2023 SCA-YRK
Sets with no loco
Longsight: TP04
Crewe South Yard: TP02/03/06/07/11
Wolverton: TP01
Are these diagrams valid on Saturdays?Plenty to choose from with 68023/26/27/32 out.
Info correct at 0600.
Lead/Trail indicates which end the loco is on.
YRK: York SCA: Scarborough LDS: Leeds MAN: Manchester Piccadilly ecs: empty coaching stock
West bound
0548 SCA-LDS: 68032/TP13 Trail
0648 SCA-MAN: 68026/TP05 Trail
0845 SCA-MAN: 68023/TP09 Lead
0948 SCA-YRK: 68032/TP13 Lead
1248 SCA-MAN: 185 115
1348 SCA-YRK: 68032/TP13 Lead
1448 SCA-MAN: 68023/TP09 Lead
1548 SCA-YRK: 68027/TP08 Trail
1748 SCA-LDS: 68026/TP05 Trail
1948 SCA-MAN: 68032/TP13 Lead
2023 SCA-YRK (ecs)68027/TP08 Trail
2043 SCA-MAN 185 115
2148 SCA-YRK 68026/TP05 Lead
East Bound
0535 MAN-SCA 68023/TP09 Trail
0720 LDS-SCA 68032/TP13 Trail
0627 MAN-YRK 68027/TP08 Lead
0824 YRK-SCA (ecs)68027/TP08 Lead
0935 MAN-SCA 68026/TP05 Lead
1203 YRK-SCA 68032/TP13 Trail
1135 MAN-SCA 68023/TP09 Trail
1603 YRK-SCA 68032/TP13 Trail
1535 MAN-SCA 185 115
1803 YRK-SCA 68027/TP08 Lead
1730 MAN-SCA 68023/TP09 Trail
1934 LDS-SCA 68026/TP05 Trail
2203 YRK-SCA 68027/TP08 Lead
2303 YRK-SCA 68023/TP09 Trail
*only booked Class 68/Mk5A workings shown.
Some are MSSuX. My last post where I list them shows what is MSSuX. Its whole headcodes or parts of journeys curtailed.Are these diagrams valid on Saturdays?
Not this Saturday due to engineering work in the Huddersfield area.Are these diagrams valid on Saturdays?
I’m so glad you managed to get some of the ones you needed. Yes, unfortunately TP07 still at Crewe South Yard.Up at York and got TP09 and TP13 in the last few hours so a good result. So only left with TP07 now.
I assume TP07 is still at Crewe ?. But for how long or forever or out already ?. I leave York on the 23:10 Megabus to London so checking my chances before I retire to a Wetherspoons for 6 hours. Any clues ?.
Thanks for that - it gave me the clues to hope for two at York. TP13 looked to have another day in the East but better still I figured I had a 1/3 chance that TP09 would venture out. Nothing allocated on RTT. I could not sleep at 3am this morning so I got up and re checked RTT - allocations finally applied and Bingo. By 4am coaches were booked and I got two hours sleep this morning.
Anyway - its worth checking RTT at 3am...... If you are awake !!!.
Yet more alternative facts from TPE in the full document.TPE have published today a 34 page document for Stakeholders "Our Plan for the Future – A Prospectus"
Interesting section about 68s. We'll be seeing the back of them for now, but they might get a reprieve - if they're more reliable, business has recovered, and no doubt the price would have to be right. It doesn't look as though that price is ever likely to be right for several reasons.
I think it's safe to say they won't be coming back, talking amongst drivers we expect over the coming years up to when the new stock (most likely a variant of the 800 family) comes we will all be trained on 802's then it would only be a simple conversion to any new stock.the Class 68/Mk5A sets were to come back in June, that would mean losing the competency of around 130 drivers, potentially from December, to then have to retrain them, almost immediately, for June 2024.
Many thanks for the info, most appreciated.I think it's safe to say they won't be coming back, talking amongst drivers we expect over the coming years up to when the new stock (most likely a variant of the 800 family) comes we will all be trained on 802's then it would only be a simple conversion to any new stock.
+TPE have published today a 34 page document for Stakeholders "Our Plan for the Future – A Prospectus"
Interesting section about 68s. We'll be seeing the back of them for now, but they might get a reprieve - if they're more reliable, business has recovered, and no doubt the price would have to be right. It doesn't look as though that price is ever likely to be right for several reasons.
+ (a weaker and weaker case for the Mk5s as time goes by)........................
Yet more alternative facts from TPE in the full document.
*If* the Class 68/Mk5A sets were to come back in June, that would mean losing the competency of around 130 drivers, potentially from December, to then have to retrain them, almost immediately, for June 2024.
Classic TPE.
+ (that is my feeling - too much time will have passed)I think it's safe to say they won't be coming back, talking amongst drivers we expect over the coming years up to when the new stock (most likely a variant of the 800 family) comes we will all be trained on 802's then it would only be a simple conversion to any new stock.
I can believe it. The lack of use from January to June 2024 will only serve to increase the weak case the Mk5s seem to have in the eyes of TPE. Then any further lack of use over ensuing years will just make Mk5s even less usable so use less and less likely as time goes by.Many thanks for the info, most appreciated.
TPE are certainly hammering the nails in the Class 68/Mk5A coffin as hard as they can.
I can believe it. The lack of use from January to June 2024 will only serve to increase the weak case the Mk5s seem to have in the eyes of TPE. Then any further lack of use over ensuing years will just make Mk5s even less usable so use less and less likely as time goes by.