TPE Mk5/68 sets.

[VauxhallNova]

It was certainly an interesting decision to split the fleet over two routes, effectively making two micro-fleets out of a single micro-fleet.

Have any decisions been made about where the fleet will (or won't) operate in future, noting some of the posts above?

 

[E27007]

Are the reports of a Class 68 having an altercation earlier this week with the point-work of the track at Scarborough correct?
A platform track, possibly platform 4

 

[D6130]

Are the reports of a Class 68 having an altercation earlier this week with the point-work at Scarborough correct?

....or was it an 'earth fault'?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

We'll have to differ. There are lots of units with windows slightly off, such as excellent ones like Class 444s, but with the Mk5a the windows are also very small which accentuates the effect. I also prefer airline seats and there are almost none of these. Overall I think the atmosphere is a bit dark and dowdy. Big overhead racks is one of the few benefits.

I indeed don't like Sophias, but even given that it was going to be those I think the 802 is massively superior in Standard in just about every way, and the 185 too albeit with better seats.

I do like the decor, but you can put dark blue seats with leather headrests and sticky backed fake wood in anything you want.

The DTS (if that's the right term) vehicle is predominantly airline seats, so if you have a strong preference for those that's the vehicle to go for.

 

[xotGD]

The DTS (if that's the right term) vehicle is predominantly airline seats, so if you have a strong preference for those that's the vehicle to go for.

And if you have a preference for hearing the 68 doing its thing through the tunnels, that's the worst place to sit!

 

[D6130]

And if you have a preference for hearing the 68 doing its thing through the tunnels, that's the worst place to sit!

Yup....you'll have to pay - or persuade your employer to pay - for a first class ticket!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

And if you have a preference for hearing the 68 doing its thing through the tunnels, that's the worst place to sit!

Depends what's most important to you then. "You pays yer money, you takes yer choice".

 

[D6130]

Depends what's most important to you then. "You pays yer money, you takes yer choice".

....and then a 185 turns up instead!

 

[greyman42]

I don't think there's anything major wrong with Standard on the Mk5As. The window alignment is poor, but it's not like you can't find a seat with a decent view. I find it comfortable enough, and the general ambience is very good.

I find that the ambience is spoilt by the cold air blowing up from the bottom of the windows.

 

[Russel]

What are the chances of the 11:03 York - Scarborough tomorrow (Sat 15th) being a Cl68+Mk5 set?

On that note, what are the chances of the 11:03 running at all, given TPE's current situation?

 

[EZJ]

What are the chances of the 11:03 York - Scarborough tomorrow (Sat 15th) being a Cl68+Mk5 set?

On that note, what are the chances of the 11:03 running at all, given TPE's current situation?

That would be 1U39, it's definitely running (unless something unforseen occurs between now and tomorrow) it's booked to be a 68/Mk5 but will be replaced by a 185 I'm afraid.

 

[Russel]

That would be 1U39, it's definitely running (unless something unforseen occurs between now and tomorrow) it's booked to be a 68/Mk5 but will be replaced by a 185 I'm afraid.

I'm guessing when you say "a 185", it won't be a double set?

Lovely...

Thanks for the answer anyway.

 

[sjpowermac]

I'm guessing when you say "a 185", it won't be a double set?

Lovely...

Thanks for the answer anyway.

The 1103 York-Scarborough is part of a diagram that starts in Scarborough station. Currently the two sets at Scarborough are both on the TMD.

There’s always an outside chance that one of the diagrams off Longsight might be a Class 68/Mk5A set.

Might be worth having a nosey on RTT in the morning…

 

[Jamesrob637]

I'm guessing when you say "a 185", it won't be a double set?

Lovely...

Thanks for the answer anyway.

Oh no, it would be far too logical to put 6 coaches on.

 

[Fokx]

Oh no, it would be far too logical to put 6 coaches on.

There isn’t enough spare units to do it

 

[E27007]

There isn’t enough spare units to do it

The conversation on a Class 68 run yesterday is of depot examinations of 185 units revealing the onset of cracks in the metalwork for the bogie yaw dampers.

 

[sjpowermac]

I'm guessing when you say "a 185", it won't be a double set?

Lovely...

Thanks for the answer anyway.

As hinted yesterday, both diagrams off Longsight are Class 68/Mk5A sets today (15.07.2023)

185 134
0935 Manchester Piccadilly-Scarborough (1103 ex-York)

68027/TP12
1203 York-Scarborough


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2023 ==

That would be 1U39, it's definitely running (unless something unforseen occurs between now and tomorrow) it's booked to be a 68/Mk5 but will be replaced by a 185 I'm afraid.

Though the 1203 ex-York is booked Class 68

 

[Killingworth]

1B64, the 5.43 from Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes is a Nove 3 today, should be just leaving Stockport

 

[class397tpe]

1B64, the 5.43 from Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes is a Nove 3 today, should be just leaving Stockport

That diagram has been pretty consistently a Nova 3 in recent weeks, making it even more perplexing they now want to remove Nova 3s from the south route.

 

[Russel]

As hinted yesterday, both diagrams off Longsight are Class 68/Mk5A sets today (15.07.2023)

185 134
0935 Manchester Piccadilly-Scarborough (1103 ex-York)

68027/TP12
1203 York-Scarborough


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2023 ==


Though the 1203 ex-York is booked Class 68

Gutted, due to the Crosscountry network being in tatters this morning I wasn't able to get up to York.

 

[Tractor37]

That diagram has been pretty consistently a Nova 3 in recent weeks, making it even more perplexing they now want to remove Nova 3s from the south route.

From 29th July back to 185’s only on the south route - spent longer training crew than in actual service!

 

[Jamesrob637]

From 29th July back to 185’s only on the south route - spent longer training crew than in actual service!

Let me guess: few if any booked 6-car

 

[Urobach]

Let me guess: few if any booked 6-car

Refer back to @RHolmes reply to you on post 285

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The conversation on a Class 68 run yesterday is of depot examinations of 185 units revealing the onset of cracks in the metalwork for the bogie yaw dampers.

I'm sure that won't stop the ongoing insistence that it's "only" CAF products that have had issues with metal fatigue... despite the first cases of it being the Hitachi IETs.

 

[driverd]

The conversation on a Class 68 run yesterday is of depot examinations of 185 units revealing the onset of cracks in the metalwork for the bogie yaw dampers.

Are you sure? That's exactly the issue on 195s/mk5s. Was this just traincrew chatting or is this from a more senior source?

Absolutely not saying it couldn't happen, it'd just be surprising to see the exact same issue on the 185s.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Are you sure? That's exactly the issue on 195s/mk5s. Was this just traincrew chatting or is this from a more senior source?

Absolutely not saying it couldn't happen, it'd just be surprising to see the exact same issue on the 185s.

As my post above alludes to, CAF aren't the only manufacturer to have suffered from metal fatigue related problems. This 185 thing may just be messroom gossip or a case of "the 185s have cracks too, purple monkey dishwasher"*... though with the 185s being a fair bit older, fatigue is perhaps more understandable.

The fact that multiple manufacturers have had similar issues does have me wondering about quality control (or lack of) further up the supply chain.

*-yes, that's an awkward way of phrasing it- but I'm sure some would object if I'd used the old-fashioned name for that phenomenon, as it involves a nationality. If you get the reference, ten points to your Hogwarts house.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The fact that multiple manufacturers have had similar issues does have me wondering about quality control (or lack of) further up the supply chain.

I thought I recalled reading that some of the cause of the 80x issue was poor quality metal which was not quite as specified.

 

[E27007]

Are you sure? That's exactly the issue on 195s/mk5s. Was this just traincrew chatting or is this from a more senior source?

Absolutely not saying it couldn't happen, it'd just be surprising to see the exact same issue on the 185s.

I contacted my source, I have misquoted, it is the 195 Caf units, with the cracking, not the 185.

 

[driverd]

I contacted my source, I have misquoted, it is the 195 Caf units, with the cracking, not the 185.

Easy mistake! One digits difference between the two types.

Just thought it would be one heck of a coincidence if 185s turned out to have the exact same issue as the 195s.

 

[xotGD]

Looks like we are back to four Cats working Scarborough turns today.

That's better.