I Can't Believe This Happened AGAIN?! | Diggle Diaries: November 2023 Pt 2

Diggle Diaries: An attempt to film all daylight running freight and interesting workings from Diggle Junction. Situated on the picturesque Trans-Pennine, Manchester to Huddersfield and Leeds route, Diggle Jn lies at the top of a steep incline leading into Standedge Tunnel. Providing beautiful scenery, varied freight and trains working hard up the hill, there aren’t many better places for a bit of trainspotting.
This month includes:
- LSL Class 37 rescues dead TPE Class 68
- Network Rail HST back out in service
- Colas Grids on Engineering trains
- TPE Class 68's on Nuclear Flasks?!
- And much more...
Thanks for watching!
Huge Thanks to the Huddersfield Line Spotting Society
Matt & Josh: ‪@jjrailwayvideos‬
Isaac:‪@isaac_trains1273‬
Please leave a like, it helps a lot and don’t forget to subscribe for more rail videos.
Dedicated to Alan William Gaskell. He started this whole thing off.
For enquiries, or if you would like to use any clips, email [e-mail]
Intro music by ‪@gordovox1559‬
Equipment:
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lammcou Tripod: www.amazon.co.uk/Flexible-Gor...
RØDE Microphone: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Hitfilm Editing Software: fxhome.com/

[@garyhardwick8489]

A 60 year old locomotive rescuing a nearly new one, would have thought that! Bet TPE were slightly embarrassed though.....Great video as usual.

[@DiggleJunction]

In almost exactly the same situation a 50 year old class 47 did a few months ago. Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻

[@traindriver35]

I don't think TPE would have the capacity to be embarrassed any further would you?

[@Housephonestimes4]

Stupid Stinky Bangey World Designs! I hate the world with all my guts since June 2002!

[@bfapple]

DRS provides the Class 68s. The ones that aren’t used by TPE are used on regular DRS workings.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

​@@traindriver35Think one of TPE's many troubles is they're incapable of embarrassment!

[@psychoaftershok]

another modern set rescued once again by a dutiful class 37. old soldiers never die. 😉

[@ronaldchives2486]

Lovely sounding 37 there, love those locomotives🙂

[@DiggleJunction]

Can’t beat em mate 👌

[@playpaulbee]

Excellent, what I loved most about the 37/68 rescue was the 185 crew taking photos, wonderful, thanks for making these films.

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha yeah that 185 was waiting on the other platform for a long old time. Almost like they wanted to wait after I told him it was a 37 coming for it!

[@nervousnellyterencemorton]

Never a dull moment, great production Luke.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Terence, much appreciated pal 👍🏻

[@johnmay2786]

What a great episode Luke, all kinds of weather again too. With the opening shot of Marsden it sounded like someone was having a crafty pee offscreen! It was good to hear the 68s really working on the flasks. Enjoy Eastleigh, the last time I was there was April 1958 on an Ian Allan Locospotters Club excursion, Swindon Works then Eastleigh Works, truly a memorable day for me as a 14 year old! Cheers.

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha as soon as I saw that clip in the edit I considered muting it 😂 hopefully the Eastleigh vid brings back some good memories mate, pity Ian Allan has gone for things like that.

[@justinobrien3593]

A nice flying green whistling class 40 thrashing Sowerby Bridge there 😍🤩🥰

[@DiggleJunction]

Sounded great eh mate - nice to see plenty of guys out for it too.

[@justinobrien3593]

I'm going to be gutted then the only loco hauled service we have on the trans pennine route stops running at the end of December 2023 + A nice catch of the nuclear flasks train's x2 drs class 68s as I do like the 68s nice modern loco's they thrash pretty good also 🥰

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah have to agree mate they’re my favourite modern loco, they sound awesome. Back to boring old units from December.

[@jeremywilcox]

Thank you again for your continued work; nice to see you are not alone out there in the cold! The recovery material was magic.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks as always Jeremy, got really lucky with that one 👍🏻

[@ghostontheline]

Great video the highlight was of course the class 37 rescuing the class 68 👍 Cheers Pete

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Pete, one of my highlights of the year for sure.

[@keefr22]

Brilliant diary that one Luke, what a fantastic variety of workings, really liked the tnt Colas 56/70, and the 37 looks stunning in green! Top video again! Looking forward to your next sleepless night, hope it won't be too cold down south! Keith

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Keith, I’ve learnt the lessons from Stafford and bought a heated gilet to get me through the night! December probably not the ideal month to be stood outside all night.

[@billobrien7303]

Thanks for another great one Luke. Nice that the drivers are giving you more acknowledgements. Stuff like this will be putting you well on the way to half mil subs!

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Bill, give it a couple more months and we’ll get there 😂 handy for the vids having a few mates that are drivers!

[@marknucita8284]

Great stuff 37s built to last

[@DiggleJunction]

Can’t beat em mate! Good old workhorse will probably outlast everything else.

[@justinobrien3593]

I love the flying banana hst's 🍌 with all the original type mk4 coaches on the train 🥰 nice catch at Marsden 😎

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate 👍🏻

[@Danse_Macabre_125]

MK3s. MK4s are the Class 91 hauled ones that make up an InterCity 225 set

[@justinobrien3593]

A Good video as always plus plenty of old-school grid action freight trains 🎬 😍🥰🤩

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate - was a great mix this month 👌

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Absolutely top notch, absolutely no doubt about that, yep you have hit the Bullseye there.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a million John, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@johnlaw3323]

Brilliant footage of these great workings many thanks for sharing.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers John, glad you enjoyed it mate.

[@andrewl3655]

Superb video. Some great catches. Well done Luke. Hope you managed to warm up afterwards!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, still trying to warm up now!

[@andydavidson9440]

Nice mix Luke, thanks for signalling info and look forward to the 24 hours 🎅🏻🎄

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Andy, I have a feeling Eastleigh’s going to be a good one!

[@train4905]

Exellent😊

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks mate 👍🏻

[@wendyhartwell49]

Yet again brilliant footage, thanks Luke

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Wendy 👍🏻

[@MatthewRailways50033]

Nice video 👍👍😀😎

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

Reminds me of when I was a kid in the mid 90s and saw a classic car rescuing a brand new one in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

[@DiggleJunction]

Ha bet that was a sight, always wanted to go see the London-Brighton run!

[@s1914]

Top quality vid! 🙏

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot 👍🏻

[@ENC_Trainspotting]

Brilliant video as always👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻 always appreciate the comment.

[@Heavyweight37716]

Fantastic Video as always and nice to meet you at SYB, Monday is looking very good

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, great to meet you too 👍🏻 Monday’s looking very good indeed.

[@Heavyweight37716]

@@DiggleJunction Yes it is, looks like more 37s are Leeds Balm road tomorrow, before the flasks are meant to be going

[@mcttrains]

Awesome Luke as always 😊

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, you probably saw most of this video via WhatsApp beforehand lol.

[@marksingleton5176]

Awesome video luke, 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Mark, much appreciated pal 👍🏻

[@georgeknight636]

Love the videos and comments .great stuff .

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a million George 👍🏻

[@YayCatMonster]

I've only just found your channel, what a great first video to watch! One new subscriber added. The old engine coming to the rescue the new one reminds me of a video I saw recently of one of the steam Big Boys in the US rescuing a stranded diesel freight train. I love it when this type of thing happens, I appreciate that its a pain for the newer train, but so good for us!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, it’s much appreciated and glad to hear you enjoyed the vid. I think I’ve seen that video of the big boy, those things are mighty impressive!

[@user-bk6qo5mu2o]

great vid Luke never seen flask trains through diggle great capture and my fav class 40 the 37 at stalybridge was fab as well .all in all top episode of diggle diaries

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, as far as know it’s the first time it’s happened. There’s still a couple of wagons in Leeds so should get another working in the next week or two.

[@allrightdrive1537]

That was some video Luke thx for the quality .!!👏👏👏. Now there’s less foliage I’ve only just noticed the Diggle Hotel .!!😂

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻 I can see it calling to me from the office window now lol, dangerous! 😂

[@allrightdrive1537]

@@DiggleJunction 😂😂😂

[@cfletcher3037]

Another top video Luke 🎉

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Fletch, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@rogercook6360]

Luke, This is the first of your videos I have watched and I must say it was really great. I like the way you let the Locos have their head and show themselves off with just text and no commentary... Well Done ! It also bought back happy memories for me as my home is a narrowboat and a few years ago I took it through the Standedge canal tunnel the longest on the whole UK canal network. I spent a couple of happy days looking at the trains on this line from the very same vantage point at the tunnel portal. Keep up the good work in the same format, I will now watch the other of your programs and I'm already looing forward to the next one. Cheers Roger.

[@DiggleJunction]

Hi Roger, firstly thanks very much, you chose one hell of a video to join. I imagine going through Standedge was an amazing experience, I’ve only ever been a few hundred feet inside from the Marsden end. It gets cold quick! Glad I could bring you some nostalgia.

[@jge123]

So cool British trains I love it.

[@DiggleJunction]

Yes mate 👍🏻 love it too.

[@cfletcher3037]

Thanks

[@DiggleJunction]

Thank you so much Fletch. These videos are always free to anyone so the fact you feel it’s worth chipping in means the world. It will go to a good cause.

[@FeckHallBahn]

New subscriber here! Thanks for a cracking video.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@user-sc9mm4wx9b]

Another fantastic video Luke. Wrong line running, the NMT lighting up the night sky again, flasks etc. Nothing tops the 37 on Thunderbird duties though. Great stuff. Good luck with the next 24 hour special. :)

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, definitely making up for those quiet videos in October.

[@stuartbroome1258]

Brilliant video, first time I've seen this site and had subscribed, impressed.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Stuart, great to have you thanks a lot.

[@davidlynch1925]

Great video, the graphic overlays areca great touch 👍 Subscribed

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@garymcgregor7048]

I've just found your content. Loving your stuff young man. I've subscribed 👏👏

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks very much Gary, great to have you mate.

[@christopherclarke9316]

Good stuff Luke.👍👍👍👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, you’ll probably have seen some of this stuff in the cam stream haha.

[@terrymoney9718]

Credit to you mate for your time and effort

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Terry 👍🏻

[@frankboyle7424]

Another excellent video luke, think I might have to book into the Diggle hotel and have some fun with the camera.👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, was over in the hotel last night for a few. Great when the fires going and it’s snowing outside 👌

[@isaac_trains1273]

Epic month indeed. Top notch quality as usual. One of those clips look familiar 😂😂

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Isaac, one in particular stood out of those grids I think 😂

[@ThePennineWanderer]

cant believe i've missed it again 😂 great video! shame theyre going on saturday 😢

[@Heavyweight37716]

Do have some drags on Monday afternoon and Tuesday Evening

[@DiggleJunction]

Got a couple more flask workings on Monday mate, hopefully you see this before then 👍🏻

[@mick35w]

Class 37’s must have been way ahead of their time to say they’re still grafting and rescuing modern locos

[@DiggleJunction]

And to think how universal they were too running passengers, heavy freight, hell of a design.

[@djburland]

All those Flask moves reminded me of when I worked at UKAEA Winfrith in the 70's

[@DiggleJunction]

They’re probably the same wagons haha.

[@Billytheboeing]

that bridge is very low in diggle! the trains look like they are almost scrapping it!

[@DiggleJunction]

Who knows how they’re going to get wires under that when they eventually electrify it!

[@marknucita8284]

Just subscribed

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Mark, great to have you 👍🏻

[@Deadmastermx1]

22:26 looks like a video game with blur on. Class 37 👌

[@DiggleJunction]

Lol think that might have been a “cinematic” shot. Can’t beat a 37 mate 👍🏻

[@tjwillow20]

21:31 now that's a colourful frieght service.

[@DiggleJunction]

Very colourful!

[@jonhigginson4096]

56094 was a regular through Lymm with MGRs when I was growing up in the 1980s before the low level line closed in July ‘85

[@DiggleJunction]

Great to see her still working hard in 2023 when so many have gone mate.

[@katrinarobson3640]

Another interesting and enjoyable episode Luke, well done on catching the 68 being rescued by the 37. I loved seeing the old class 40 and the 56’s too they bring back memories of my childhood. Out of interest do you know how long it took to fix the cracked rail?

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Katrina, the 40 was covering for Sir Nigel Gresley after blowing it had its issues in Scotland but a very good substitute in my opinion! I believe the rail was fixed overnight, engineers must have got to it pretty quick and set up a slow speed limit over it to get things moving as trains started going over pretty soon after it happened.

[@aureol40012]

So many of your peers come across as complete bell ends on their videos, so kudos on being throughly likeable!

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha thanks mate, I always try to go for the non-bellend approach!

[@BegudMaximan-zp2tc]

Traction is traction, be it 6 days old or 60 years, all made for purpose, ... enjoy the spectacle of seeing them in action!

[@DiggleJunction]

Damn straight mate!

[@TLGvideos]

Good stuff as ever fella. That final tone blast at the end was a nice surprise! 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate 👍🏻 friend of the channel Chris is always happy to oblige us with a tune haha.

[@RIGIBBONS]

Great one! The old 37s take a lot of beating. (Only by the class 52s!)

[@DiggleJunction]

Could do with seeing a Western back out on the mainline!

[@traindriver35]

What stuck out for me is that you still have stencil speed indicators. Haven't seen those 'down south' for 30 years

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha we’re always a good 25-30 years behind you guys up here!

[@EssexGayBoi]

Wow, Great video & stunning scenery (lucky you) I may have to come up there & get some shots of my own. Where would you Recommend ?

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, there’s a tonne of spots. The bridge on station road at the top of the climb near Standardge tunnel is great, there’s a bridge at either end of the curves in Diggle near the signal box and there’s a great shot over the viaduct in Uppermill too 👍🏻

[@mott2945]

Wow what an awesome channel ❤I’m a new subscriber so happy I’ve found you thanks for your time in filming this wonderful content for us 🙏 Ps what is the big blue beam on the yellow HST mate ?

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks very much mate, much appreciated and great to have you. The blue laser on the HST is used for measuring the height of bridges, trees, tunnels, etc. above the track.

[@martinmargerrison2300]

Most excellent. Do keep up the good work in the community. Were you having a slash at Marsden btw ? Sounds like it 😅

[@DiggleJunction]

Hahaha it wasn’t until the edit I realised how this sounded but thought it was funny enough to leave in 😂

[@martinmargerrison2300]

@@DiggleJunction Well done that man. Too much sterilised stuff around these days. Best wishes from wintery Slovenija 2km from the avtovlak line near Most na Soci. 😀👍

[@derektaylor2941]

That's quite something to see one of the oldest locomotives dragging off one of the youngest. Incredible that it was just to the nearest TMD though; in BR days they'd have dead-headed it all the way to its destination. But in this day and age, passengers don't matter as much as profits.

[@DiggleJunction]

Ain’t that the truth mate. Last time this happened they took it back to Longsight so I assume they offload passengers at Stalybridge to transfer to the next train.

[@krysspace4405]

Nice (and fast) work! Highlights: guy taking his dog for a walk in the rain at my favourite viewpoint...oh, and some nuclear flasks photobombing the shot 🙄😂; a D68xx rescuing a 68.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks mate, a couple of late night edits to get this one out. That crazy guy had shorts on if I remember right, it was throwing it down! I hadn’t noticed that with the numbering, funny coincidence.

[@lesdonaldson520]

Another great compilation. Had to laugh that a 68 had to be rescued by a 37. Will the TPX 68s go back to DRS ?

[@terrier_productions]

Most likely. The fate of the MK5A sets is currently unknown at the moment. My best guess is that they will go into storage

[@Heavyweight37716]

@@terrier_productions TPE Are still leasing the sets still next year, but there a movements this week to Crewe South Yard

[@vicsams4431]

TPE will ceased Nova 3 operation by the December 2023 timetable change.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Les 👍🏻 as other have said yes they’ll most likely all go back, I think 4 have already gone back (2 were on the flasks in this vid). The Mk5 sets are going into ‘warm’ storage until the lease is up. Hopefully a change of mind is made at some point in the new year when services are inevitably cancelled with lack of stock.

[@chrsrwlns]

Great video, the first I've seen. Just one question, how do you get all the info about the locos, what they're pulling, where they're going, and even the names?

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate, you started with a good one! There’s a website called realtimetrains to find out what the trains are. Numbers I note down as it passes and use that to get names etc. from the database.

[@keithalexander3386]

I enjoyed that video. When are TPE ending the use of 68s?

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks Keith, I believe December 9th is the last day although the strikes and overtime ban might cause issues so the last day could be any day.

[@davidellis279]

I can’t believe Heath and safety rules allow personnel to jump down between the platform and the two locomotives to couple them together. All new and old rolling stock should be compatible with each other when coupling up.

[@EE12CSVT]

They are. They require manual coupling. Look at the expenditure required to replace every screw coupling with automated ones, then come back to me with a plan on how to find the cost that runs to hundreds of millions.

[@DiggleJunction]

I believe the signaller gets notified and a line block is put on the section when someone needs to get down on to the track bed.

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

Thankfully, the Nova 3 sets won't be scrapped, as they're too new. They'll most likely go to Chiltern to replace the aging MK3 sets.

[@DiggleJunction]

I wouldn’t touch em with a barge pole if I was Chiltern lol. All the modernity does not make up for the massive issues they come with.

[@jfmezei]

Is the yellow HST a track inspection train? It has a seriously flat wheel(s) and it would be surprising to see such a train with bad wheels.

[@DiggleJunction]

It is mate yeah it’s Network Rails measurement train. Does seem strange that wheel flats wouldn’t mess up some kind of recording. Unless it was in the mess car I suppose.

[@redwolfcorprevamped8266]

Remember when steam engines would take over for unreliable diesels when they broke down back in the early oughts? Feels like that, but it hits kinda difficult.

[@DiggleJunction]

Nothing beats a steamer working hard, bet it was great in the old days hearing them on freight workings and rescues.

[@railwaymechanicalengineer4587]

THE SIGNALS - RE YOUR PREVIOUS NIGHT TIME VIDEO QUESTION. Now I can see the signals & "junction" in this daylight programme I can answer your previous question more fully. As clearly revealed at 16:30 to 17:20. The signal at the far end of the siding exhibiting a green main aspect & Junction indicator in Position 1 (five white lights at 45 degrees pointing left). This green indicates a clear line ahead, while the junction indicator above reveals the "Departmental train" will cross from the track its on to the parallel track to its left. If only a green was showing but NOT the white junction indicator, the train would continue on the "wrong line". This implies that the right hand track in this bit of film is actually signalled for "Bi Directional" working, at least as far as the signal, but possibly for many miles beyond. The problem with the junction signal is that it is on the WRONG side of the track it refers to. BR Signalling engineers would never have allowed such a dangerous installation. BR would have mounted a gantry to the right of the siding, so that the signal could have been mounted on the gantry span to the left of the track it refers to. I also suspect that the track & signalling is laid out to allow passenger trains to terminate in a station which I guess must be behind the bridge you are standing on ! The siding therefore is presumably intended for local trains to be parked in between services. As oddly it has a main aspect signal (not a ground signal) to allow trains to leave this siding, which may have possibly been a loop in years gone by ?! I used to work on BR Southern & Western Regions, so I'm not familiar with the track layouts in your area !

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks for the insight mate, very interesting. There used to be a station that closed in the 60’s with a big(ish) yard to the right of the shot. The siding is indeed a loop, somewhere to put slower moving traffic before the 3 mile Standedge tunnel seen in the previous shot. I can only imagine for some reason they weren’t allowed to build a gantry over the line to put the signal on the left of the line.

[@michaelstansfield3085]

@railwaymechanicalengineer Yes, I noticed the signal post was positioned on the right hand side instead of the left. We used to call the directional indicators ‘the feather’. Taking the feather. Great days on that route in the 90’s with regional railways bendy buses.

[@ChineseTrainGuy]

Very big bruh moment

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha very!

[@davidwolstenholme6413]

What are they going to do with the 68s and mk 5 sets now I wonder?

[@DiggleJunction]

In the short term they’re staying with TPE and going into to store (whilst still paying for them). I think the locos will end up going back to DRS, like the 4 that already have.

[@benfoster1480]

How do you no when these trains are coming threw is the app or something and when is the last class 68 due to stop running

[@DiggleJunction]

Hey Ben, I use realtimetrains mostly to find out what’s due through Diggle Jn. Use the detailed search and you can filter to freight only. 68’s have sadly already stopped, the final day was December 9th.

[@atomicdave1987]

Another mega video Luke, potentiallu daft question incoming, but what are the flask workings? What is on those wagons? Loved the footage of the 37 rescuing the 68, the 37's sound so meaty!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, the flasks are used for transporting spent fuel from nuclear power stations to disposal sights. There are no power stations up our way though so I suspect these were empty and being taken to Leeds Balm Rd depot to visit the wheel lathe. Can’t have that precious cargo being carried on unhealthy wagons lol. At least I’d hope not!

[@atomicdave1987]

@@DiggleJunction - thanks for the info & reply mate. I like that you engage with all the comments, I know that will become harder as your channel grows - but it's much appreciated all the same.

[@DiggleJunction]

@@atomicdave1987 I’ll always do my best mate, things are going a lot quicker than I ever expected but love this aspect of having a channel 👍🏻 take it easy mate.

[@YsanneOshea]

An excellent record Sir! Please could you name the canal featured at 12.20? many Thanks!

[@polythenewrappedme6102]

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

[@billobrien7303]

That is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at its summit level, obviously looking downstream. Behind and below the camera, the canal enters the original Standedge Tunnel which re emerges at a little village called Tunnel End about a mile west of Marsden, as the railway tunnels do. The canal tunnel is at a slightly deeper level than the railway.

[@borderlands6606]

The canal closed in 1944, though most of its traffic ended after WW1. After a 27 year restoration campaign, the canal was reopened to boat traffic in 2001.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks very much, looks like a few people beat me to it with the answer. I believe it’s a bit of a pilgrimage for narrow boaters as Standedge tunnel at the top of the locks is the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country.

[@__sno__3820]

Does anyone know why the network rail hst's have a blue searchlight on the top of them?

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s for measuring the height of bridges, trees, tunnels, etc. over the track 👍🏻

[@delticnapierdccsound4236]

EE FOR EVER ❤ MEINE LORDZ 🔥

[@DiggleJunction]

Long live the old girls.

[@richardhebden5603]

Is there a "Thunderbirds - International Rescue" livery?

[@DiggleJunction]

If it happens again there will need to be mate!

[@drdoolittle5724]

Anybody tell me please what the 'starwars' was going on with the yellow banana train and the top and bottom lights?

[@DiggleJunction]

Network Rail use it to measure the distance of bridges, trees, etc. above the track. I think the one underneath checks the rails for cracks.

[@bb-3653]

Can someone explain why the 68s werent just a set of bi mode class 397s? Like why?

[@DiggleJunction]

I think it was an experiment to get better performance over the Pennines whilst it’s still not electrified but hasn’t gone too well as it seems.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Excellent video, but the loop at Diggle doesn’t look like it gets much use these days. Rare move at 17:20.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, it gets occasional use maybe once a month or so with a light loco or a freight letting the expresses past before the tunnel.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

@@DiggleJunction Sometimes the local service would pop in there, but I’ve not known that happened for years. I last did Diggle loop on a railtour many years ago.

[@leaguefan7640]

I remember when "steam locomotives " old and inefficient" regularly had to get "new and efficient" diesels, of weird and wonderful designs, out the mire on many occasions. Add to that the number of "inefficient" steam engines that worked well even after 100 years in some cases but were scrapped, and then "efficient" diesels who didn't last a decade. This country really struggles at times when a circle is still a circle but they insist on changing it.

[@DiggleJunction]

Well said mate. So many gone too soon!

[@barryhargreaves3311]

40 look good hst blue light Into sky how far will it go up

[@DiggleJunction]

I’m not actually sure mate but a long way, you can see it snaking up the valley when it’s coming up the hill.

[@sosig1341]

6:35 what’s that blue light?

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s a giant laser used to measurement the height of bridges, trees etc. above the track.

[@RealMeggy]

7:11 what is that blue beam on nmt coach?

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s used to measure the height of bridges, tunnels, trees etc. above the track.

[@RealMeggy]

ah thank you :)@@DiggleJunction

[@igotes]

I wondered that. I thought either some sort of bridge inspection device, nuclear reactor, or calling Batman.

[@ArCKonan]

What's the blue column at 6:44 about?

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

Its used to check OHLE - the coach has a pantograph (which is down in this case) and cameras that record the movement of the wires over it. As to why the laser is on when there is no OHLE on this track I have no idea

[@vicsams4431]

It is to survey tunnel roofs. Not sure it also does OHLE, as they have a photograph for that purpose.

[@DiggleJunction]

As other have said mate it’s to measure the height of objects above the track. One hell of a thing, you can see it lighting up the sky from miles away.

[@clivejohnson6468]

Dead class 68 - that's the Nova 3 loco isn't it? Perhaps that's why they're not fit for purpose and all being returned.

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s not a great advertisement in all honesty. They were doomed when they ordered those new mk5 coaches to work them, wouldn’t have had half the issues if they’d have used some old mk3’s.

[@thisisbob1001]

Maybe it was just having a Siesta?

[@DiggleJunction]

That’s what I’d like to think haha.

[@vicsams4431]

Having enjoyed TPE Nova 3s (Class 68 + Mark 5A push pull sets) between Scarborough and York, and from Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street; we purposely rode the 11.35 Manchester Piccadilly to Scarborough as far as York on Tuesday 28th November 2023 as our farewell tribute. This train was propelled by 68 030 "Black Douglas". Real shame this operator decided (or was forced by the road biased DfT ?) to give up its comfortable limited stop express service originally specified in the franchise, in favour of rancid karts. Yes we know they burn less fuel. Yes we know some NIMBYs in Scarborough did not realise that buying a house next to the railway meant trains going passed ! But loco hauled offers a vastly superior quality of ride for the passenger. I will be sad to see this innovative service go. For all their cracks, the Mark 5A day coaches were comforable. I hope Chilterns will supplement their Class 68 + Mark 3 sets with the Nova 3. Or the Mark 5s will be included on the Caledonian Sleeper (unlikely as their trains are at their maximum train lengths). To scrap the Mark 5As after just 4 years in service is a travesty, and a waste of taxpayers money. Some KZbin commentators have suggested the Nova 3 could replace the 159s between London Waterloo - Salisbury - Exeter St David's. I think this could be worthy of consideration, as this route would gain extra capacity and free up the 159s for rolling stock cascade to routes where there RA1 availability could be put to good use on routes classified as fragile track.

[@DiggleJunction]

Can’t agree more mate, will be a huge shame when they’re gone. Especially considering they’ll be put into storage and continue to be paid for by the taxpayer whilst not being used. If they’d have gone the Chiltern route and gone with mk3’s they wouldn’t have had hardly any of the problems they’ve had with the mk5’s.

[@Trainman10715]

TP is a DFT operator, theyre getting rid of the 68s and mark 5s because they are, to put it simply, rubbish. loco hauled they may be but the poor availability of 68s coupled with the multitude of problems with the mark 5s has caused TP to loose patience with them, just as first did with the 180s back in the day. doubt theyll go to chiltern, they havent the depot space for any more large sets, they wanna get rid of their current 68s anyway, and the mark 5s offer noting over their current mark 3s other than worse reliablity

[@adolphusarthuro]

@@Trainman10715 I didn't think there was anything wrong with the 68s (never heard of any major issues on Chiltern/DRS with them), I thought it was the coaches' cracking issue that was the bigger problem along with the lack of driver training. What's up with the 68?

[@adolphusarthuro]

@@DiggleJunction Should replace the Voyagers on the Cross Country routes. The WORST designed long distance train and DMU i've ever seen, followed closely by the Azuma and the Pendelino. Who builds a train designed to take regular 4 -6 hour trips on overcrowded routes without a proper buffet car? Oh yeah...DFT.

[@Trainman10715]

@@adolphusarthuro I've heard from DRS fitters themselves that the 68s are a constant source of problems, they've just got so many systems to go wrong and it all resultes in poor availability, hence why you see them breaking down all the time. Chiltern have less issues cos they have 8 class 68s for just 5 sets, so even if 3 were out of action then they'd have enough, the extra expense of leasing almost twice as many locomotives as they need is starting to affect them however. Indeed the mark 5 cracking is one of the multitude of issues I mentioned with the mark 5s that has contributed to their demise. the driver training is just an excuse, if a lack of driver training is a problem then just train more drivers, but they won't because they haven't been wanting to operate the 68s for quite some time now, so deliberately not training drivers on them makes the perfect excuse

[@AndreiTupolev]

Perhaps we can see why TPE are ditching the 68s in the interests of reliability... 🤫

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s the sad truth mate to be fair. This wasn’t a good case for keeping them on!

[@jonathanwood2465]

We're WAZ 40 going ?

[@DiggleJunction]

Was on its way back home to Crewe after it covered for Sir Nigel Gresley on its Scottish tour after it blew a cylinder valve.

[@richardlockett5034]

Hmm. Something funny with these new trains. I remember riding on over Drummochter and Schlochd (1 in 60) in the early 1980s with a class 40 (2000hp) and 16 on which they could do (at 12mph) if their radiators were clean (which often they were not). And in the 1980s class 40s could just about make time with 11 on from Stalybridge to Leeds. Now we seem to need 3,800hp to drag 5 carriages over the Pennines and yet they overheat? Come on boys and girls BR 1960s designs were not very good but 3,800hp for 5 carriages is massive overkill and yet it sems they still can't do the job. What a mess.

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s huge overkill to be honest mate. I get the impression the issues all stem from the poorly made carriages. The locos have to run at a high idle to power them when stopped and maybe a lack of maintenance (refilling coolant) because they’re being withdrawn has come about.

[@bwhugul]

Digital Automatic Couplers can't come soon enough. There shouldn't be the need to go onto the track between the platform and the buffers. It's bizarre that the Mark 5a sets are coupled to the Class 68s by chain and screw, instead of Buckeye swing head knuckle coupler as, I recall, the Class 91s are coupled to Mark 4 rakes.

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s a strange one considering they’re brand new. As I understand it, the signaller puts a line block on the section when someone needs to get down on to the track bed to try and minimise risk.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Simple old diesels just keep on running - as with cars and trucks there's way too much uncessary tech on modern loco's.

[@DiggleJunction]

I was going to say they had to have been built right to keep them going after 60 years but ironically the same 37 failed today heading down south!

[@noooo_safechat2589]

why does the 70 look so american

[@DiggleJunction]

They’re built by GE over there in Pennsylvania funnily enough.

[@StupidBlokeStupidVideos]

What’s with the big laser beam coming out the roof of the HST? 🤔

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s used to measure the height of bridges, trees, tunnels, etc. above the track as it whizzes along I believe.

[@chrisrobinson560]

Could I ask how do you know where all these trains are coming from and heading too, not necessarily the passenger trains but the good and engineering trains , do you have access to the TOPs system and head codes ,

[@DiggleJunction]

I wish I did mate but I use a combination of realtimetrains, rail-record, railcam and traksy to track everything and find out ahead of time. Search any on google and you’ll find them pretty easily 👍🏻

[@chrisrobinson560]

@DiggleJunction I was working in posseions department based a Guide Bridge for 10 years with Jarvis Rail and last 14 years in possessions , engineering train planning for Network Rail at picadolly , I took early retirement in 2022. I only asked you about the ToP system because your info is well gathered. I must say your content is well presented ,love the enthusiasm mate