Transpennine Express decide not to use MK3's on limited services

[61653 HTAFC]

Having looked at it on flickr, it does look like a very colourful rake, especially with the snow!

68019 5Z08 Preston by British Rail 1980s and 1990s, on Flickr

Still can't quite get used to the lack of a yellow warning panel, with the shape of the front end and no yellow it sort of looks like there's a fairing or moulding that's been removed... to me at least.

The red roof of the stock clashes a bit, but it's certainly eye-catching!

 

[Spartacus]

In a way it's reminiscent of many steam hauled trains, and early BR green diesels, no yellow panel and stock in a different livery to the loco.

 

[CosherB]

Still can't quite get used to the lack of a yellow warning panel, with the shape of the front end and no yellow it sort of looks like there's a fairing or moulding that's been removed... to me at least.

The red roof of the stock clashes a bit, but it's certainly eye-catching!

Maybe Porterbrook could find it in themselves to de-Virgin the Pretendolino stock with black roofs and dark grey doors. It won't happen, of course!

 

[Ash Bridge]

Interestingly I've just observed around 15 minutes ago a train formed of 3 (I think) mk3 coaches top n tailed by Class 68 locomotives approaching Reddish South heading in the Denton direction, the coach interior lighting was on and it was clear that one vehicle had a buffet counter but I couldn't make out loco numbers or coach livery would this be the TPE set?

 

[gazr]

Interestingly I've just observed around 15 minutes ago a train formed of 3 (I think) mk3 coaches top n tailed by Class 68 locomotives approaching Reddish South heading in the Denton direction, the coach interior lighting was on and it was clear that one vehicle had a buffet counter but I couldn't make out loco numbers or coach livery would this be the TPE set?

Shame that wasn't on the Denton Express last Friday when I was the only passenger getting on the train at Reddish South!! 142s are just not in the same league.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Shame that wasn't on the Denton Express last Friday when I was the only passenger getting on the train at Reddish South!! 142s are just not in the same league.

Haha wouldn't that be nice! There should have been two more passengers that day as my daughter and me were planning to travel to Manchester by way of Stalybridge, the only problem being that she didn't wake up in time so we ended up going from Heaton Chapel instead.

 

[D1009]

Interestingly I've just observed around 15 minutes ago a train formed of 3 (I think) mk3 coaches top n tailed by Class 68 locomotives approaching Reddish South heading in the Denton direction, the coach interior lighting was on and it was clear that one vehicle had a buffet counter but I couldn't make out loco numbers or coach livery would this be the TPE set?

I presume it was this:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O71279/2018/02/25/advanced

 

[Ash Bridge]

Ah thanks for that D1009, I had checked Realtrain Times but couldn't see anything.

 

[59CosG95]

It appears to have returned to Crewe this morning:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O71282/2018/02/26/advanced

 

[55z]

Ran as 5A08 Crewe to Huddersfield arr 2200 on 25 Feb returned 5A08 0518 Huddersfield to Crewe 68022/27 on 26th Feb

 

[Ash Bridge]

It appears to have returned to Crewe this morning:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O71282/2018/02/26/advanced

Ran as 5A08 Crewe to Huddersfield arr 2200 on 25 Feb returned 5A08 0518 Huddersfield to Crewe 68022/27 on 26th Feb

Thanks both!

 

[Mark.Dean2]

Thanks both!

This was a test train comprising top and tail 68's with 4 MK3 coaches. We had it running between Huddersfield and Leeds, 4 trips in each direction at various speeds to monitor the effect on some of our bridges. I attach a picture of it at Pl12 in Leeds.

 

[Ash Bridge]

That's interesting, many thanks for posting, I think I need to learn how to count properly....then again it was pitch black outside.

 

[Mark.Dean2]

That's interesting, many thanks for posting, I think I need to learn how to count properly....then again it was pitch black outside.

Yes and it was cold. I got the short straw being underneath MDL1/8 at Ravensthorpe whilst my mate got to ride in a nice warm cab helping the driver to dispose of his biscuits.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yes and it was cold. I got the short straw being underneath MDL1/8 at Ravensthorpe whilst my mate got to ride in a nice warm cab helping the driver to dispose of his biscuits.

The very short straw haha! Welcome to the forum btw.

 

[mushroomchow]

The 68 livery is quite pleasing on the eye actually. Sometimes with unorthodox colour schemes it can look too busy, but it's come out looking pretty classy. Should look great once the Mk. 5s land.

It's also symmetrical, which had appeared to not be the case at first, so that's my OCD covered!

 

[Mark.Dean2]

The very short straw haha! Welcome to the forum btw.

Thanks, now that I have found you guys I will probably be here quite often. There looks to be some interesting stuff and a lot of the guys appear to know more about what is happening than the official sources.
BTW do the Class 68's have a nickname, when we saw them on Sunday night we were wondering if Kryton would be appropriate.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Thanks, now that I have found you guys I will probably be here quite often. There looks to be some interesting stuff and a lot of the guys appear to know more about what is happening than the official sources.
BTW do the Class 68's have a nickname, when we saw them on Sunday night we were wondering if Kryton would be appropriate.

Good shout with that name! TBH. I'm not at all well up with all the current nicknames although I do know they aquired the name Cats from quite early on due obviously to their installed prime mover.

 

[Muzer]

I've also heard "Warskips" because they're named in a way reminiscient of warships, and they took over duties previously performed by Skips (Class 67s)/generally have similar characteristics.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I always though "Tonkas" would be a good nickname given their various curves resemble the way in which Tonka toys were rounded-off versions of otherwise boxy prototypes.

 

[Bornin1980s]

This was a test train comprising top and tail 68's with 4 MK3 coaches. We had it running between Huddersfield and Leeds, 4 trips in each direction at various speeds to monitor the effect on some of our bridges. I attach a picture of it at Pl12 in Leeds.

Is that a light in the radiator compartment?

 

[Bovverboy]

This was a test train comprising top and tail 68's with 4 MK3 coaches. We had it running between Huddersfield and Leeds, 4 trips in each direction at various speeds to monitor the effect on some of our bridges. I attach a picture of it at Pl12 in Leeds.

Were the journeys between Huddersfield and Leeds conducted under an engineering possession? And am I correct in presuming that that is the reason why they don't show on RTT?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Were the journeys between Huddersfield and Leeds conducted under an engineering possession? And am I correct in presuming that that is the reason why they don't show on RTT?

I too noticed that RTT showed no movements for the consist after arrival at Huddersfield from Crewe. There was also (at least when I looked) no arrival platform indicated nor a movement to the sidings. Therefore I'd assume it arrived in platform 8 and commenced the movements to and from Leeds fairly promptly. Though that wouldn't pair up with the possession theory above, as there were several subsequent movements through HUD by TPE services; and movements to the sidings by Northern units (which oddly to me all seemed to be direct into the sidings from places like Brighouse, rather than just arrivals moving from platforms).

All that said, I'm not well-versed in what data does or doesn't find its' way onto RTT and why; nor the rules governing movements under a possession.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Is that a light in the radiator compartment?

It'll most probably be to illuminate the engine room walkway/passage alongside. Even the first generation BR diesels from the 1950s/60s all had lighting fitted throughout the engine room.

 

[BeHereNow]

Deleted

 

[68011]

Things have gone very quiet on this front. Are both sets still expected into service for May?

that's the plan assuming enough staff are trained up in time.
2 x 68's top and tail 4xMk3's are booked to have a spin out tomorrow from Crewe to Carstairs and return
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/…/K35643/2018/03/27/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/…/K35644/2018/03/27/advanced

 

[skifans]

Erg, just saw your post a little too late this morning. Cycles straight down to Oubeck but just missed it by 2/3 mins.

 

[dilbertphil]

Things have gone very quiet on this front. Are both sets still expected into service for May?

Staff training is expected to start in April, it is 12 day course altogether. Some staff should be up and running for the May timetable change.

 

[Thomas6187]

Now that TPE have reloaded the timetable, it would appear that the loco sets will work the diagrams starting at Liverpool at 05:56 and 06:56

 

[Spartacus]

Now that TPE have reloaded the timetable, it would appear that the loco sets will work the diagrams starting at Liverpool at 05:56 and 06:56

Sounds good, should be able to do one of those on my way to work with a quick change at Leeds.