Class 68s heading for Spain for Mk 5 testing

The first TransPennine Express Class 68 to be exported for tests arrived at Portbury Docks on November 22. It is being taken to northern Spain, according to TPE.

Two Direct Rail Services Class 68s will be shipped to mainland Europe in the next few weeks, to assist with testing of Mk 5s being built by CAF.

TransPennine Express is leasing 68019-68032 from DRS, to operate its Mk 5-formed trains from next year. Thirteen rakes of five coaches are being manufactured by CAF, plus a spare driving trailer. TPE told RAIL on November 21 that the stock will be delivered at the end of next summer/early autumn. The stock is also being tested at Velim in the Czech Republic, with a ‘68’ expected to be used there.

In the UK, driver training using Class 68s has begun, with 68020/022 top-and-tailing five Mk 3s and running between Crewe and Preston, and Crewe and Carlisle. The stock used for training is Restaurant First Modular (RFM) 10229, Open First (FO) 11048 and Trailer Standard Opens (TSO) 12011, 12122/138.

TPE said it was in negotiations regarding suggestions that the Mk 3s could be used in passenger service, operating as rakes of five with top-and-tail locomotives. No date has been confirmed.

The operator has leased ten of the coaches from Porterbrook, with five available for training and five still at Laira, where all ten were sent for overhaul after going off-lease from Greater Anglia. Still at Laira are RFM 10212, FO 11007/011, TSO 12078, 12133.

With the introduction of new services from the December timetable change, TPE told RAIL the operation is about “maximising the use of its existing train fleets”, with the bulk of new services introduced at the start and end of each day.

Meanwhile, work on CAF’s Class 397 electric multiple units is under way in Spain, with the first trains due for delivery in spring 2019.