TPE Mark 5A coaching stock progress

[Spartacus]

When is the next set coming to Manchester

Not sure, I'm hoping to see the current ones out on test before too long.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Yes it's been six weeks since the first move and three weeks since the second move. That means that logically, a third move should've taken place today but I've checked Levenshulme all hours of the day today and nothing's showing from Portbury

 

[BMIFlyer]

Yes it's been six weeks since the first move and three weeks since the second move. That means that logically, a third move should've taken place today but I've checked Levenshulme all hours of the day today and nothing's showing from Portbury

Will be a while before the next set arrives

 

[Girner]

Are we still nicknaming trains like we did in the 80's?
These sets will be named as the Platypus!

 

[Spartacus]

I hope they'll be released into the wild in a controlled environment before too long! Would love to see one out on test this summer.

 

[Ih8earlies]

Does anyone in the know ... know If anything is happening with the UK based sets* yet?

(*Are we calling them sets or rakes?)

 

[Erniescooper]

Another set is at Portbury, should be moving to Manchester on Tuesday.

 

[Ih8earlies]

According to the latest internal "Fleet Update" the first mk5a set is just finishing up testing at Velim. As soon as all the paperwork is signed off from this in Spain - testing Should begin with the UK based sets by the end of July.

As for the 68's "The remainder of the class 68 locomotives TPE has leased from DRS will all be liveried in the TPE colours by the end of Summer."

 

[John C]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned on here but I noticed today at Brighouse that class 68 stop marker boards have been installed. I can only assume as Brighouse is not a regular TPE calling point other than when diversions are in place that these have been installed for that scenario. Here’s a pic of them

https://www.flickr.com/photos/railphotosonline/43405508671/in/datetaken/

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned on here but I noticed today at Brighouse that class 68 stop marker boards have been installed. I can only assume as Brighouse is not a regular TPE calling point other than when diversions are in place that these have been installed for that scenario. Here’s a pic of them

https://www.flickr.com/photos/railphotosonline/43405508671/in/datetaken/

If TPE are using S boards now (rather than variable ones for different formations, as installed previously at Dewsbury and Huddersfield), why the type-specific boards?

 

[Erniescooper]

Some paths have appeared in Realtimetrains which I believe maybe test run paths but I would be surprised if they run next week. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...18/07/16/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[transmanche]

If TPE are using S boards now (rather than variable ones for different formations, as installed previously at Dewsbury and Huddersfield), why the type-specific boards?

Possibly because a 397 (≈118m), an 802 (≈130m) and a 68+mark5s (≈132m) won't all the be the same length?

 

[Tam]

When at Velim on Tuesday, I noticed that one side of Tireless was weighted with bags of sand. Why would that be?

 

[gimmea50anyday]

According to the latest internal "Fleet Update" ........

Internal fleet update??? Where did you get that from?

Edit:- found it! Attached to the weekly update.

Tablet wasn't showing the attachments XD

 

[BMIFlyer]

Some paths have appeared in Realtimetrains which I believe maybe test run paths but I would be surprised if they run next week. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...18/07/16/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

There will be a 68/Mk5 test run to Scarbados before the end of July for gauging.

 

[BMIFlyer]

If TPE are using S boards now (rather than variable ones for different formations, as installed previously at Dewsbury and Huddersfield), why the type-specific boards?

Most likely because crew training restarts in 2 weeks and there will be a Mk5 set out and about - not to mention it is the only stock currently that will be in TPE service apart from 185's on that route, until the middle of next year at the earliest.

The '68' boards are temporary anyway. Some need moving either off the platform or to another part of the stations they have been added to so far (Malton and Seamer have the boards as well).

 

[paddyb6]

Tuesday- There is a movement , but all I can find is Bletchly to Manchester??

 

[Erniescooper]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96124/2018/07/17/advanced

 

[158820]

Bletchey is for milage/ fault free running l believe this is being by Freightliner drivers.

So Freighliner drivers using Drs/Tpe 68s on test running. While Rail Operations Group deliver the stock.

Lots of different operators involved!

 

[driver9000]

The Longsight to Carlisle working didn't run this morning. Put back until 23 July apparently.

 

[Jamesrob637]

There's a move today let's hope it runs.

 

[mushroomchow]

Technical question - would these rakes / sets work in multiple?

I only ask because on a recent visit to Belgium, I noticed that during morning rush hour SNCB ran a locomotive sandwiched between two "set" rakes of double-decker stock back to back. Could be a handy option to have for specials or limited peak expresses if the Mk. 5s can do it too, but it would depend entirely on whether a 68/88 could provide the gubbins to both sets at once - and platform lengths, of course.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Technical question - would these rakes / sets work in multiple?

I don't believe any of the new TPE stock will work in multiple except in emergency. But even less so these, as they have conventional drawhook, buffers and brake pipes/electrical cables, so would require a shunter's attendance to couple and uncouple.

Unless the Government goes all tight again, I'd see it as more likely each set (LHCS, bi-mode and EMU) will get an extra coach or two at some point, then it definitely won't be feasible.

 

[notlob.divad]

The move from Portbury is running. 33L at Castle Bromwich. I assume this is the 3rd set?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Technical question - would these rakes / sets work in multiple?

I only ask because on a recent visit to Belgium, I noticed that during morning rush hour SNCB ran a locomotive sandwiched between two "set" rakes of double-decker stock back to back. Could be a handy option to have for specials or limited peak expresses if the Mk. 5s can do it too, but it would depend entirely on whether a 68/88 could provide the gubbins to both sets at once - and platform lengths, of course.

Leaving aside the platform lengths (it'd have to run non-stop between Leeds and Manchester) and issues with shunters being rarer and working practices being a bit less deadly, the issues would be ETS- could the 68 power a 10-car rake? Quite possibly. Could it power ETS out of both ends simultaneously? It's unlikely to have been designed in but might not have been designed out*. It's highly unlikely to ever be attempted but it is funny to think about. If ever there was a need to run double sets, it'd possibly be less difficult to couple the control cabs up and have 68s topping and tailing, likely with the rear loco only supplying hotel power to the rear set. As a result I imagine performance might be a bit sluggish!

*=I suspect (perhaps someone ITK can confirm or deny) that in order to send hotel power out both ends, both cabs would need to be keyed in. I'd be highly shocked if that situation didn't sound a loud buzzer in at least one of the cabs! Especially as the set(s) would be being driven from one of the Mk5a cabs.

 

[MisterT]

We have (kind of) those things running in multiple in the Netherlands (DDAR train sets with an NS 1700 loco or mDDM loco, both with auto coupler) and it's the same principle used for the RailJets in Austria:
The ETS is per train set, so when you switch on the ETS, both engines will provide the power for their own train set.

 

[James James]

We have (kind of) those things running in multiple in the Netherlands (DDAR train sets with an NS 1700 loco or mDDM loco, both with auto coupler) and it's the same principle used for the RailJets in Austria:
The ETS is per train set, so when you switch on the ETS, both engines will provide the power for their own train set.

FWIW the SBB also have all kinds of combinations with RE460's and up to 14 carriages. A single locomotive might be at the end, or sandwiched in the middle, or there might even be two locomotives (usually one at each end, but sandwich + end can happen). There's no real fixed "set" in these trains (to be completely pedantic: a fixed set gets carriages and locos added on either end in arbitrary order), and I have no idea how the heating is decided.

Doesn't really tell you whether the 68/88 are capable though. In terms of motive power, the 68 is 2.8MW, the 88 is 4MW on electric (0.7MW on diesel), the RE460 is 6MW. I imagine a 68 with 10 carriages would certainly be rather sluggish. Can't find any number for the heating though, and I suppose heating will eat into the power available to move the train.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Also depends how energy efficient (or otherwise) the lighting/heating/air-con/catering facilities are... and how many devices are using the power outlets.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

The move from Portbury is running. 33L at Castle Bromwich. I assume this is the 3rd set?

Yep seen at Heaton Chapel.

Got bowled by a Pendo while trying to get the stock numbers sadly.

 

[Oxfordblues]

According to last night's NWRail notice board (http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm) the ex-Anglesey Aluminium site just outside Holyhead will be used to store new TPE Mk5 sets until entry into service.