Beveridges
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Those Intermodals will be no match for the 68 as this test proves.
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Class 68 Progress, what's the latest?
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Photohunter71
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There are quite a few differences when you compare the UK variant to the EuroLight 3000.UK variant seems to favour 2 top rotating fan vents where as the European variant seems to have a different venting system, and the list goes on!
Sunbird24
Member
Went past the factory this morning, it was quite warm (70ºF) and the doors were open, several almost complete locos could be seen, 1 or 2 could be 68, the others Euro 3/4000 series. Passed again a couple of hours later, 68002 was outside being moved about by a tractor, and positioned under a gantry of some sort for some checks/tests. It was then moved back onto the traverser and put back inside. I will post photographs on facebook with a public link later.
The pictures can be seen here, at the bottom of the page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...130.1073741830.1192973669&type=1&l=4d65098acc
As far as I am aware you do not need to be on Facebook to see this collection as it has been made public, but please be aware that the photographs are copyright.
The pictures can be seen here, at the bottom of the page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...130.1073741830.1192973669&type=1&l=4d65098acc
As far as I am aware you do not need to be on Facebook to see this collection as it has been made public, but please be aware that the photographs are copyright.
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Loki
Member
Info appreciated.
Sunbird24
Member
Eurolight 3000? Two different beasts! They have Euro 3000 (with a 3200 variant for ISR) which is a Bo-Bo and Euro 4000 which is a Co-Co. Both are built to European loading gauge so not suitable for most of the UK railway system. They then built two Eurolight prototypes which are suitable for production build for UK loading gauge and metre and Cape gauge systems. The 68 is a production version of the Eurolight, suitably modified/adapted for use in the UK so there are bound to be a number of differences. There are even bigger differences between the Eurolight and the Euro 3000 (3200), and not only size!
The Euro 3200 was originally branded Euro 3000 AC. It was redesigned in the light of experience with the Renfe class 334 (the original Euro 3000) and the Eurolight prototypes. The new Euro Dual is also based on this. It is reported that the original 334 001 was at one time fitted with a pantograph for trials but have found no official confirmation of this yet and no idea whether it was used to power the locomotive, which would no doubt have required other additional equipment also, or just fitted as a dummy for tests. Photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/angel4000/8654769840/
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Beveridges
Established Member
From my understanding, this 68 on test is hauling 2000 tons on a demanding route plus a Eurolight with dynamic braking fully activated to greatly increase the friction even further?
The 68 should easily handle anything DRS throw at it if this is the case and barring any reliablity problems there is no reason why the 68 cannot become a direct replacement with DRS's entire 66 fleet.
The 68 should easily handle anything DRS throw at it if this is the case and barring any reliablity problems there is no reason why the 68 cannot become a direct replacement with DRS's entire 66 fleet.
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northern156
Member
But the Class 66 is the newest fleet of locomotives DRS have; why would they get rid of them when they have much older locomotives about?
Beveridges
Established Member
Costs
Boothby97
Established Member
Reports from WNXX suggest first arrivals (via boat), late January 2014,. Should be at least 68002 and 68003.
So no leaves, no rain, no mist and you think that 'proves' the locos will be able to handle 2000 tonnes over Shap in the middle of a storm in january do you!
To haul heavy loads you need wheels in contact with the rail and 8 wheels wont cut it when adhesion is poor no matter how clever the electronics are.
On another point (apologies for going back to GBRF v DRS), how many drivers left GBRF this year compared to DRS and how many are looking for other employment?
DRS is not a good employer, GBRF is!
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The 66s are leased and so have to be paid for whether they are used or not, the 37s and 47s are owned and so will cost (next to) nothing if not used.
66s are also very thirsty for fuel compared to other locos.
Sunbird24
Member
Not sure about that. 68002 is almost ready, no others have been seen to date. From experience with the other locomotives they have produced the average production rate is about 1 per week and they spend several weeks outside in the yard for finishing and testing. A rough guess is that each loco is visible for about a month, firstly in its white undercoat with lots of bits missing and gradually becoming more complete over the following weeks. Just visiting once a month I saw most of the Israeli Locomotives and Euro 4000 series several times. Prior to that I only passed there a few times a year and still saw numerous locos in total. Now I visit several times a month I have seen all the latest 13xx and 14xx for Israel and the 4000 series still in production but so far all in white. There are also several 13xx in production, again all in white apart from 1314, 1315 & 1301 which left recently. I assume they go by sea. Not sure how many production lines they have but as well as the 3 locomotive types they also build a large number of tram vehicles. Currently 68002 is still in its slot at the front of what may well be the only production line for 68s, the next line being 13xx for ISR, only one of which is visible outside in white. Finally, I have no idea what ship is used, nor how many it can carry.
Photohunter71
Member
[/QUOTE]
The 66s are leased and so have to be paid for whether they are used or not, the 37s and 47s are owned and so will cost (next to) nothing if not used.
66s are also very thirsty for fuel compared to other locos.[/QUOTE]
Aren't the 68's leased too?
The 66s are leased and so have to be paid for whether they are used or not, the 37s and 47s are owned and so will cost (next to) nothing if not used.
66s are also very thirsty for fuel compared to other locos.[/QUOTE]
Aren't the 68's leased too?
Beveridges
Established Member
The "as required" work that the 20s, 37s, 47s & 57s mainly do suffers from peaks and troughs. On one day the entire fleet may be required with each loco working 2 or 3 trains in a day. On another day, only a small fraction of the fleet may be needed, with several locos sat around on TMD, but as they are owned it costs DRS nothing.
When locos are leased they need to be on steady work such as Intermodals. The 68s are leased so its looking like they are going to replace 66s on the Intermodals and maybe work the odd charter on weekends, the only time Intermodals don't generally run. Using leased locos primarily to do the "as required" work would be a waste of money.
When locos are leased they need to be on steady work such as Intermodals. The 68s are leased so its looking like they are going to replace 66s on the Intermodals and maybe work the odd charter on weekends, the only time Intermodals don't generally run. Using leased locos primarily to do the "as required" work would be a waste of money.
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Sunbird24
Member
68002 was outside in the yard running its engine (and testing its horn). Later it moved to reveal a nameplate.
No sign of any other members of the class. I will post more photos later.
Hmmmm....is there a way to limit the size of photos displayed on this forum?
No sign of any other members of the class. I will post more photos later.
Hmmmm....is there a way to limit the size of photos displayed on this forum?
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Peter Sarf
Established Member
Sunbird24
Member
No 68s visible at all today at Vossloh, just a JT 42BW #772 and Euro 3200 #1316 for Israel and an unidentified Euro 4000. No idea if 68002 Intrepid has left or is still tucked inside somewhere.
cj_1985
Member
MatthewTurner
Member
I'm quite excited to get a glimpse of the new class 68 once its up at Carlisle, Kingmoor! It seems like I've been waiting ages to see them in action. The livery on the loco looks stunning in my opinion, I'd go as far to say that it's the best livery on the UK network!
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nothing lasts forever one day it will be gone.
I'd say the class 68 is the ugliest loco I've ever seen and no livery will ever match large logo blue on any loco. I am a moaning old fart though. Ha ha.
It is only marginally more ugly than the 67 and the 70.
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anthony263
Established Member
I would say it looks better than a class 70
HSTEd
Veteran Member
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A mangled wreck looks better than a Class 70.
Boothby97
Established Member
68002 has arrived at Carlisle Kingmoor.
Photo (not mine),
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenatkinson93/12033246935/
Photo (not mine),
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenatkinson93/12033246935/
YorkshireBear
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Undercover! They are being subtle!
MatthewTurner
Member
I'd say the class 68 is the ugliest loco I've ever seen and no livery will ever match large logo blue on any loco. I am a moaning old fart though. Ha ha.
Haha well I don't think 68's look too bad body shape wise (well from the front they look a bit ugly but from the sides they look good) unlike class 70's which are a bit of an eyesore all round, but I'm sure with time they'll grow on most people!
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Good to see it's finally arrived! Has anyone any ideas as to when it will be getting its first run on UK soil form Kingmoor?
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Yes, it is a rather good livery. I can't decide if it is the best current UK livery, but if we are including former liveries then there are some better ones. The loco itself though isn't good-looking, sadly.
I agree, and maybe more interesting to look at than a 67 or 66, but that isn't really saying much.
On one of the pictures linked to there, the shape of it under-wraps actually looks quite a lot better than the detail of it uncovered. Actually, the 68 didn't look as bad in white/grey either. Maybe changing the shape of the yellow warning pannel would improve the looks a bit.
I think it looks more like somebody attempted to improve the looks of a 67... then was replaced by somebody else who came and botched the remainder (or maybe it was just one somebody, but they slipped when they got to a certain point).
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