‘68’ operations

Direct Rail Services will lease 68019-68032 to TransPennine Express for its passenger trains ( RAIL 821), with 68033/034 modified to act as cover for unavailable TPE locomotives.

Of those planned for TPE, 68019-68025 are already in the UK, having been delivered last year, while construction of 68026-68034 is continuing at Stadler’s Vossloh factory in Spain - indeed, 68026/027 have been seen undergoing testing. Deliveries are expected this summer.