TransPennine Express Class 68 locomotives, and their respective Mk5 carriage set with Driving Trailer, are set to be withdrawn from service this December.
As part of the December timetable change, the train operator will remove the trains from service and replace them with Class 185 DMUs and Class 802 trains, which were built by Siemens and Hitachi, respectively.
The operator says that removing the trains from service, which were only introduced into service around 4 years ago, will be a step forward into returning TPE to a stable and resilient operator.
Meanwhile, Direct Rail Services, who sublease the Class 68s to TransPennine Express, says that they will work with the operator to ensure a smooth operation until the locomotives are no longer required.
Chris Jackson, Interim Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “As part of our plans for the December 2023 timetable we will seek to remove the Nova 3 fleet (Class 68 loco and Mk5a carriages), instead using Class 185s and Class 802s on services to and from Scarborough.
“This decision is part of our plans to restore reliability and confidence for passengers by simplifying the business and putting customers at the heart of our decision-making process. We have undertaken a detailed review of operations and this review has identified issues with the operation and stabling of the Nova 3 fleet. We believe that the removal of the Nova 3 fleet from service from December 2023 will be a step forward towards returning TPE to a stable and resilient operator.”
A DRS spokesperson said: “We are working with TransPennine Express (TPE) on the proposed changes to their services and will ensure the smooth operation of the Class 68s until they are no longer required.”
“We will evaluate our fleet requirements when the locomotives have completed their TPE operations.”
Responses
I don’t understand why they can’t be shut down quickly . Anyway you reap what you sow – a vocal minority wins out and you’ll get an even worse service . Good luck
The noise from the railway is a fraction of that you would experience near a dual-carriageway or a Motorway.
One has to wonder if as many people who say they are hearing the locomotives can actually hear them?
It is more likely that word of mouth conversations about a perceived problem by a few is being compounded by others just muttering about it.
Local politicians keen to make a name for themselves…and the local press….compound all this muttering.
Scarborough should be grateful that it has the multiplicity of services that it has. Many other communities would give their high teeth for such provision.
There is, of course, the more salient point that Government, the Department of Transport, the Train Operating Companies and the Rolling Stock Leasing Companies are forever keen to spend more money on ‘New Trains’ at the drop of a hat.
Politicians are similarly prone to ‘crow’ about these…….in fact, to boast about them.
The 5,000 ‘New Carriages’ were crowed and boasted about so often, (by politicians of all parties), that there should now be thousands and thousands of new coaches scattered the length and breadth of the entire railway system……and over crowding should be a thing of the past.
Of course, nothing of the kind happened…..
Hundreds of coaches, and trains, have been withdrawn when the most basic of refurbishment programmes would have seen their lives extended for decades.
Mark 3 Coaches, were perfectly acceptable, (and comfortable), and as British Designed & Built stock they could have easily been replicated in their hundreds. Both they…..and the Mark 2 Coaches, introduced in 1964, were easily capable of representing the standard forms of coach.
In addition, the HST’s, (Mark 3 equivalent coaches), could have formed the basis of a much larger national fleet of trains.
More Mark 3 Coaches…..and more HST Power Cars would have been the ideal cost effective / value for money option. All this could have been done for a fraction of the cost of the new Hitachi Trains.
Sadly, the ‘New Carriages’ and ‘New Trains’ mentality has taken over and muddies the water for everyone, be they Train Companies or Politicians…
Spending more public money at all costs ….and then crowing about it as investment, is what they do best.
It cost us all more than it should do….and we have a poorer service….
Madness beyond measure….!
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
Very very true. The design of both the HST and mk 3 coach were cutting edge in the day. An update of the PC engine and systems and the coach design to modern standards for both was possible but probably was discounted as “too difficult- build new” as you say. Lockheed did it with the Hercules transport aircraft. Took a 45 year old successful but old and ageing aircraft and designed a totally new replacement for it that looked almost exactly the same….
What “brainless” moron thought engine propelled trains, in stead of multiple units was a good idea? Great if there were spare carriages available for use when trains got busy, when the engine could detatch, collect spare coach or 2, but there are NEVER spare coaches whenthey are needed
as they were originally…
As someone said , better to merge Northern rail with Transpennine , why not take on more class 800’s their 5 car sets are quiet and efficient, and dual fuel .
The mark5’s could be taken up by Northern and used to provide for example better Intercity style services , from Newcastle to Carlisle, or even an all stations stopper from , Leeds/York to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Southbound they could introduce new routes to Lincoln , Nottingham , Derby for example , I’m surprised TPE has never applied to run services between , London Yorkshire and Scotland , using the 800’s and the 68/ Mark5’s.
It’s insanity to buy these at huge cost and just give up, especially given the incoming class 93, was set to replace the class 68, and the 83 is Bimode ( dual fuel ).
And while those routes may sound outlandish , it would add another operator to the East coast and west coast line , by using the Class 800 and Mark5 sets, on longer routes . After all the more choice, the more competition, lowers fares.
And they could under Northern for example , for the first time in 30 years , reconnect Scunthorpe to London or Edinburgh, being only 5 cars long , there would be little work needed at the stations between Scunthorpe and doncaster .
And what of the money wasted , on training for the Cleethorpes service , where I believe works were carried out on the infrastructure to accept them .
This is insanity .
Of course there are other operators looking for new trains , Scotrail is looking for HST replacements, they could easily be hauled by class 67’s like the Transport for Wales Mark4 sets , which have similar equipment to the mark5’s .
There are 13 sets , and while that’s not enough, to replace the Scotrail Intercity fleet , they could as part of their new program to acquire a totally renewed fleet , but more mark5’s and themselves perhaps operate outside of Scotland for the first time in years .
GWR could also use them to replace it’s Castle sets that will be removed , although not all of those are stopping , the numbers are about right .
And they already operate loco hauled services on their sleep trains and some Friday nights using mark3 sets .
Or grand Union the newest UK train company, which is looking to start services from both Paddington to South Wales as far as the end of the electric sections of the south Wales network , the original plan was to use class 91nsets currently I. Storage and according to rail publications , is likely to be what will happen in the short term , as they may look to the Hitachi class 800 sets .
Also grand Union are staring a Stirling to London route , 13 sets , pulled by class 67’s/88’s ( bi modes ) or stored 110mph ex greater Anglia class 90’s .
There are plenty of options .
But to replace a 5 car train with first class and small buffet area with three car dmu’s that are not even as comfy as the Intercity standard class 158’s , originally designed to replace loco hauled , 158’s at least unlike the 185 can work in multiples .
With those in Northern rail’s service , if both operators merge , it’s yet another option.
But the whole new train fiasco , with cracks on Ll the current new trains , including the Hitachi sets , it’s a shambles .
Originally there was a UK designed and to be built in the UK ‘ son of the HST ‘ , an apparent bi mode evolution of the HST , which could have served anywhere, as it had a flexible design , and could be adjusted in length by adding or removing trailer vehicles to suit .
Instead they went for 3 train types , and that’s just Transpennine .
And why are the government not doing more to investigate this terrible mess and waste of good trains , because nobody could solve basic problems .
Electrification to Scarborough is the answer but don’t hold your breath with a snivel service that treats the north like a colony
Will be substituted with class 185 3 car sets. 6 car sets on other routes reduced to 3 car to provide replacement stock. Overcrowding guaranteed. Cancellations due to stock shortages inevitable. Overall result = shambles of a service.
Capacity problems? Hey just be glad you don’t use Cross Country services South from Leeds. The HST’s finish today. CC’s answer is that by getting rid of them it is going to be more efficient for the company. So although common for the last six months 4 coach Voyagers will satisfy the companies needs and there’s no alternative. Sod the passenger. You pay for the ride NOT a seat.
Well Cross Country you can stick your Voyagers where the sun doesn’t shine ‘cos I shall drive off peak instead. You don’t deserve loyal customers.
Well Cross
Why don’t they just merge TPE and Northern together
You do realise that Northern are almost as poor performers as TPE?
They’ve spent two years training drivers on these for the cleethorpes to Liverpool services. I’ve not actually seen one in service, only 185’s. The service we have is Terrible. It’s got to the point where I now drive to Doncaster and use a non tpe train to go in from there. Almost every train I’ve bought tickets for has been cancelled due to.drover shortage. Makes me wonder if withdrawing these is a way to.reduce advertised services and not a problem with the train I admit the 68 is a noisy loco
The class 68s have been beset with problems, overheating in warm weather (ironic that they are Spanish built!), take 30 mins to shut down then 30 mins to start up. Difficulty in training drivers. Agree that the replacements will not have enough passenger capacity, but they should at least be more reliable. I use this route regularly and miss the reliability of the 185s.
Drover shortage. How will you get the sheep to market
Let Transport for Wales take them for the Cardiff to South Wales services.
Eh! Cardiff is in South Wales!
They look like pretty good units, although I have never used them. Could this be a simple cost cutting exercise? What happens to these modern units now?
The Class 68 is a noisy locomotive, but the Mark 5 coaches have a pleasant ambience, even if the ride is strangely harsh. Scarborough sounds as if it is getting a raw deal (speaking as someone who moved there a year ago), with a Class 185 shuttle to York a poor substitute for longer distance connectivity to Leeds and Manchester. Capacity in a three car set will be inadequate on some runs, as the five coach Mark 5 services are often well-filled. An alternative is to operate the shuttle every half hour, which would at least have the merit of giving a more frequent service and spread demand. However, knowing TransPennine’s difficulties resourcing the existing hourly service, this is probably too much to expect.
The mk 5 coaches are horrendously over complicated. Computer controlled and the computer controls EVERYTHING so if the battery go flat, brakes lock on and your bollocksed. If you don’t reset the computer at turn round and tell it your going back, it dumps the brakes when you move. They’re a PITA!!
All it needed at Scarborough was to shut down the diesel engine whilst stabled overnight at the maintenance depot, and a ship-to-shore power supply be attached. Too technical for TPE?, or possibly a defect with the rolling stock. Either way, the better travel experience is being ditched to the detriment of the passengers.
It isn’t all that’s needed in Scarborough – I’ve lived here for 23 years, my partner his whole life, and as everyone I have spoken to locally can attest, we never could hear the trains as far as you can with the Nova 3 fleet. It’s a very loud, reverberating rumble that spreads well over a mile from their location, wherever they are (we’re on the South Cliff, nowhere near the tracks), that is loud enough inside the house to resemble a neighbour’s unbalanced washing machine spinning (even with all our brand-new double-glazing shut). Never had these issues until these locomotives started being used. They are freight class, designed to pull loads, I understand, 10x in excess of passenger carriages, through wilderness, not urban areas. They are also very inefficient, being the equivalent in required power of a tractor vs a supermini car, and needing those extra 30 mins at the start/end of day. Who on Earth approved their acquisition and use?!
We definitely need a better solution than reverting back to a 3-carriage setup, though, as well as 30 minute schedules. Public transport in general here is abominable. It’s completely unworkable to commute from or to anywhere outside of Scarborough centre, and has been for decades, which is a travesty.