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It wasn't required either, better to build it and use it, than leave it empty and unused at the mercy of vandals for months/years.

Now that driver training has finished at York for the time being maybe we will see them move back Manchester way. To be fair 029 did get to move a couple of loco lengths during each course as the driver's first 'feel' of a 68 in motion - 021 on the other hand....

I thought it was a TPE 802?

There doesn't seem to be anything on RTT from this Monday, except the 397's outing. The only run on the Longsight-Carlisle 'mileage accumulation' circuit over the last 3 weeks was on Monday 25 February. There were the runs to Scarborough last week of course, but the lack of other outings is...

68020 should be working 0B66 from York and 0B67 back from Scarborough.

Yes, you're absolutely correct, there would be no point in sending out trains with known faults, unless it was to test a remedy. It is disappointing that more of these issues weren't picked up on during the weeks of testing in Velim.

As I understand it mileage accumulation is separate from the testing over the routes to be operated. The former is just proving that the trains themselves are fit for acceptance by TPE. The urgent need is to get some sets available to TPE for crew training to start. You can do all the testing...

Why can't testing and mileage accumulation be done at the same time? There are 13 sets to get done eventually, the pace needs to pick up if we are to see them enter service this year. Releasing crews for training will become much more difficult once the summer holiday season starts.

Whilst it is really good to see the mk.5 sets out and about on the TPE network, it is concerning that the mileage accumulation runs on the Manchester-Carlisle-Bletchley-Manchester circuit have all but dried up - only one run (last Monday) over the last two weeks. Time is really pressing.

05.10 ex Scarborough? Are the 'boxes open?

But no return paths.... one way only?

Thanks for the reply.

Is that training for drivers or conductors?

Driver training on class 68's is winding down now, with around 80 drivers trained up. The light engine runs between York and Scarborough are currently a mixture of drivers being trained, and drivers who already sign 68's but need to drive one at least once per month to keep up their competency...

Drivers are entitled to 6 weeks notice for their mk.5 courses. As there are twelve weeks before the May timetable change, if notice is given to the first drivers now, you would have 6 weeks left to run courses. Each course is 8 days, so in those 6 weeks you could run 5 courses, with 4 drivers on...

68's with the full TPE mods have worked freight fairly regularly with DRS. 68033/034 are the TPE spare locos, fully mod'd but still in DRS livery. Interestingly owned directly by DRS and not leased from Beacon Rail as the other 32 are.

I think our view is essentially the same. It is how issues with either the extra kit on the locos, the coaches, or both, have been dealt with which has taken time to resolve in some cases, and this has been down to a difference in culture to that which CAF are used to, and perhaps TPE's...

The original plan, all those years ago, was that the sets would enter service top and tailed by 68's with the driving trailers being built last and replacing one 68. That is one reason why first class had to be in an intermediate vehicle. It's not necessarily "complexity" in itself which is...

What little "official" information that has been released mentions build quality issues and problems with (lack of/inadequate) documentation on maintenence procedures. I don't think it's speaking out of turn to say it has been a steep learning curve for all parties involved. CAF's continued...

EDIT - I think these are paths to swap 68031 (currently based at Scarborough for driver training) with another one.