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Trans Pennine 68s

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9102

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Trans Pennine 68s - Posted: August 23, 2019 - 9:33 PM Quote and reply
Several unconfirmed sources predict that one Class 68 Trans Pennine diagram will operate tomorrow, Saturday 24 August.
06:56, 13:56 (Scarborough) & 20:56 (Stalybridge) from Liverpool Lime Street, and the corresponding inward workings, 0555 from Manchester Victoria plus
10:41 and 17:44 from Scarborough.

One source also suggests a Sunday working starting with the 08:56 from Liverpool Lime St.

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8001F

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Re: Trans Pennine 68s - Posted: August 24, 2019 - 10:13 AM Quote and reply
9102 said:
Several unconfirmed sources predict that one Class 68 Trans Pennine diagram will operate tomorrow, Saturday 24 August.
06:56, 13:56 (Scarborough) & 20:56 (Stalybridge) from Liverpool Lime Street, and the corresponding inward workings, 0555 from Manchester Victoria plus
10:41 and 17:44 from Scarborough.

One source also suggests a Sunday working starting with the 08:56 from Liverpool Lime St.


Class 68s barred from platform 5 at Scarborough. There is no indication yet that the new combination will be able to travel at SP speeds between York and Scarborough.
IU 24.08.19


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CTAYLOR

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68's - Posted: August 25, 2019 - 8:53 AM Quote and reply
Did work on the Liverpool Scarboroughs on 24th. Booked to work for the next 7 days (possibly not Sunday 25th August) on same diagram then the 68's go back into the box until 23rd September.

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9102

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Re: Trans Pennine 68s - Posted: August 25, 2019 - 11:04 PM Quote and reply
Had some runs with 68s and new Mark 5 stock on 24 and 25 August. Some points to note:

1. GPS signal was weak, but useable, though prone to drop signal especially in cuttings, etc. GPS signal worse than inside Class 185 or 350, but better than inside Voyagers.

Surprised that mobile phone free GPS app performed a bit better than Garmon GPS 76 unit. Recommend starting GPS before boarding train; forgot once, and failed to get a stable signal on that entire trip.

2. Performance of Class 68 potentially good - if anyone gets a clear run. On one trip, we almost briefly reached 50 mph climbing Miles Platting bank, before we had to slow for Miles Platting Jn.

Several runs delayed due to the Class 68 becoming "stuck" behind slower services, and in one case, signalling problems at Newton Le Willows.

Sadly Trans Pennine seems to be having problems, with several cancellations - or trains being terminated short of destination, including the last westbound 68 from Scarborough on 24 August, which got no further than Manchester Victoria; at least three other TP trains suffered the same fate on 24 August.


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CTAYLOR

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68's - Posted: August 26, 2019 - 7:44 PM Quote and reply
Agreed GPS signal weak but useable but speed tends to jump around. Fast start from Huddersfield much faster than a 185 or anything else, ride quality could be better but is much better than a 185 and much quieter of course. First class seats match windows in the standard TS coaches it is pot luck (not sure about the DT) coach weights are the First and DT are 33 tons whilst the TS's are 32 tons 162 tons in total. Speed tailed off at around 70 mph on the climb to Marsden instead of 75 mph (we did reach 75 mph at one point). 7 min 6 sec is around a 185 time Huddersfield to Marsden but a 185 will normally cruise at 75 mph not 70 mph. Train terminated at Manchester Victoria due to train defect (possibly defection windscreen wiper !!) and so the train went to bed at Longsight. Return working was to have been another 68 set from Manchester Victoria but cancelled as was the rest of the diagram cancelled. Fun at Scarborough on its return working at 1744 which was cancelled and this a sunny Bank Holiday Monday.

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8001F

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Re: 68's - Posted: August 27, 2019 - 2:07 PM Quote and reply
CTAYLOR said:
Agreed GPS signal weak but useable but speed tends to jump around. Fast start from Huddersfield much faster than a 185 or anything else, ride quality could be better but is much better than a 185 and much quieter of course. First class seats match windows in the standard TS coaches it is pot luck (not sure about the DT) coach weights are the First and DT are 33 tons whilst the TS's are 32 tons 162 tons in total. Speed tailed off at around 70 mph on the climb to Marsden instead of 75 mph (we did reach 75 mph at one point). 7 min 6 sec is around a 185 time Huddersfield to Marsden but a 185 will normally cruise at 75 mph not 70 mph. Train terminated at Manchester Victoria due to train defect (possibly defection windscreen wiper !!) and so the train went to bed at Longsight. Return working was to have been another 68 set from Manchester Victoria but cancelled as was the rest of the diagram cancelled. Fun at Scarborough on its return working at 1744 which was cancelled and this a sunny Bank Holiday Monday.


Before gambling today I took the precaution of looking at the York ROC webcam to observe the already 30+ late 0656 from Liverpool -the inward from Man Vic started off similarly late. It was a 185! Maybe tomorrow?
Ian U 27.08.19



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