Fife Circle 68's

[Photohunter71]

This week, I have noticed that the Fife circle 68's plus coaches have been absent from the return leg to Motherwell at the 19:50 mark. Has there been a timetable change, or has that contract ended? They used to run past my flat near Niddrie West junction around 19:50, the latest noted was 20:00 on a couple of very recent occasions. Have 170's been doing the duties?

 

[221129]

This week, I have noticed that the Fife circle 68's plus coaches have been absent from the return leg to Motherwell at the 19:50 mark. Has there been a timetable change, or has that contract ended? They used to run past my flat near Niddrie West junction around 19:50, the latest noted was 20:00 on a couple of very recent occasions. Have 170's been doing the duties?

They've definitely been running...

 

[Tony2]

I've noticed the absence of the return to Motherwell in the evenings over the last couple of days as well.

On 13th, the inbound service from Motherwell was cancelled:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G82899/2019-11-13/detailed

Reason given on that page is

This service is cancelled.
This service was cancelled due to a problem with the train (M8).

Same issue on 14th

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G80793/2019-11-14/detailed

On TOPS both 68006 and 68007 are shown as in working condition so it's not the locos that are the problem.

 

[D6700]

They've definitely been running...

Yesterday, I intended to travel on the evening Glenrothes circular 68 diagram, but it was cancelled. In the morning, the Cardenden diagram was cancelled. The trains are still booked to run, as units are not running instead and the cancellations are being done on the day, rather than fake "planned cancellation" you see when something has been cancelled the night before. There is clearly an issue at the moment, but I don't know what it is.

Whilst I lost Cardenden to Edinburgh via Kirkcaldy with the 68 last night, I reduced the loss, by stopping off at Kirkcaldy and catching the HST back to York from there, instead of Edinburgh.

 

[Photohunter71]

I've noticed the absence of the return to Motherwell in the evenings over the last couple of days as well.

On 13th, the inbound service from Motherwell was cancelled:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G82899/2019-11-13/detailed

Reason given on that page is

This service is cancelled.
This service was cancelled due to a problem with the train (M8).

Same issue on 14th

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G80793/2019-11-14/detailed

On TOPS both 68006 and 68007 are shown as in working condition so it's not the locos that are the problem.

Thanks for the info Tony!! (Tony Z) I'm presuming? I thought something was up when I didn't hear or see them!
Hoping it'll run this evening, I'll see it better from my daughter's bedroom!!

 

[Tony2]

Thanks for the info Tony!! (Tony Z) I'm presuming? I thought something was up when I didn't hear or see them!
Hoping it'll run this evening, I'll see it better from my daughter's bedroom!!

Yes, that's me, I'm not far from you as I'm within earshot of Niddrie Junction and can usually set my watch with the ECS to Motherwell. There have been more DRS mk2s in the consist recently with fewer ScotRail livery mk2s so I'm wondering if the problem is with the stock?

 

[Photohunter71]

I thought it was you!! It's Derek, I was living up at the Pleasance until last year when my daughter was born! It's great to see what passes by the flat albeit with a skewed view from the bedroom windows and the sitting room window. Hope you are well!!

 

[Tony2]

Good to hear from you again Derek, it's been a long time!

The Fife Circle ECS has worked tonight, I've just heard it passing so all must be OK now.

 

[Photohunter71]

It certainly has been quite a long time since we spoke!! Yeah, heard it myself too! Had a feeling it was back to normal as they pass by my work!! Hoping to hear more activity pass by, so I'll check rtt!

 

[Mag_seven]

Both hauled services are running this evening - I am currently on the 18.20 Glenrothes to Edinburgh hauled by 68006.

 

[Photohunter71]

Cheers for the info! I heard both heading for duties whilst at work, and the 19:50 return was 5 minutes late.

 

[Photohunter71]

Looked like it didn't run last night.

 

[Photohunter71]

Ran last night, 1min late!

 

[pt_mad]

Are they staying on in the new timetable? Or after PRM regs change in January?

 

[Photohunter71]

What was up with the 68's yesterday atround 9pm? I noticed them on duties coming from Motherwell with stock?

 

[221129]

What was up with the 68's yesterday atround 9pm? I noticed them on duties coming from Motherwell with stock?

Worked the 2150 and 2200 Edinburgh to Inverkeithing via the Circle extras for key workers.

 

[Scotrail84]

Worked the 2150 and 2200 Edinburgh to Inverkeithing via the Circle extras for key workers.

They're supposed to be on for duration of the emergency timetable as they're contracted to run, units replace them during the peak hours and instead, they work these trains at 21:50 and 22:00 with literally only a guard on them.

 

[TheSel]

They're supposed to be on for duration of the emergency timetable as they're contracted to run, units replace them during the peak hours and instead, they work these trains at 21:50 and 22:00 with literally only a guard on them.

Wot - no driver? Health and Safety breach, surely!

 

[stantheman]

I read that the contract for 68s is due to end May 2021 , elsewhere I read it’s May 2020 . Anyone clarify ?

 

[221129]

I read that the contract for 68s is due to end May 2021 , elsewhere I read it’s May 2020 . Anyone clarify ?

May 2020

 

[route101]

May 2020

Guess ive had my last ride on the sets .

 

[stantheman]

They still show on RTT after May for what that’s worth . If you are correct I will never yawn at 68006 and 68007 again , will miss them

Guess ive had my last ride on the sets .

 

[221129]

They still show on RTT after May for what that’s worth

The services will still run, but with DMUs vice LHCS.

 

[Far north 37]

There has been a tender put out for replacement stock for these services to start at the end of the year.

 

[stantheman]

There has been a tender put out for replacement stock for these services to start at the end of the year.

So the plan is DMUs from June to Dec, reverting to loco hauled thereafter , seems odd .

 

[MDB1images]

They're supposed to be on for duration of the emergency timetable as they're contracted to run, units replace them during the peak hours and instead, they work these trains at 21:50 and 22:00 with literally only a guard on them.

They passed me one after the other between Mid Calder Jn and Carstairs around 20:40hrs on Friday.
Seems bizarre seeming them heading out so late.

 

[Carntyne]

There has been a tender put out for replacement stock for these services to start at the end of the year.

Not yet. There's an expression of interest notice out though. https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV373366

 

[Far north 37]

Not yet. There's an expression of interest notice out though. https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV373366

Ah ok i thought was issued recently i knew the notice of interest had been an the application to was meant to be march must of misread i have seen reported colas are interested in taking this on.

 

[Mathieu]

Any update on what would replace the current sets?

 

[Murray J]

Ah ok i thought was issued recently i knew the notice of interest had been an the application to was meant to be march must of misread i have seen reported colas are interested in taking this on.

it'd be interesting to see what they operated the service with. would they bring in more 67s? or would they operate it with 66s, or even 37s?