The Class 68s at 10 years old: The story so far

[@Crepello100]

Lovely sound, almost as good as a Deltic or Western. As it happens I have lived beside a busy railway and loved the mix of noisy action followed by absolute silence. I've also lived by a main road which was a continuous drone 24hrs a day with the occasional loud bang when there was an accident. I now live in the middle of nowhere with no sound at all. I miss the railway!

[@railquest]

I always thought the earlier examples, specifically the ones built by vossloh sounded very western like for sure. That's a really interesting story! Thanks for watching!

[@tedcopple101]

The Scarborough noise complaints weren't due to normal running. It was the night time idling during servicing working. I'm a mile away from Seamer station and can hear them plain as day during start/stop in the station. Personally i think thryre great but can understand the complaints.

[@railquest]

Thats interesting! I find it bizarre that TPE weren't able to find a better operational solution that didn't require the locos running with ETS through the night honestly.

[@tedcopple101]

@@railquest I've they'd have moved the new depot 200m up the line its an industrial/commercial area where no one lives. A little bit of forward planning would have mitigated this before it was an issue.

[@five-o5362]

@@tedcopple101 if you heard them 1mile away, 200meters wouldn't have made much difference, would it.

[@tedcopple101]

@@five-o5362 topography would make a huge difference.

[@christopherhulse8385]

We are having the same problems with our 68s at Stourbridge depot, noise complaints about running them for ETS for cleaning/maintenance activities.

[@theretrocrowe]

What a fantastic video this was! The 68s were the first classes to be introduced after my interest in the railways started and they really are fantastic locos, they sometimes make it seem like the ground is rumbling when they depart, I bet that hellfire departure of 68022 from Warrington Bank Quay felt like that

[@railquest]

Many thanks!! I actually got into trainspotting a few years after they were introduced so the 88s ended up being the first train I ever saw introduced. And yep, that departure from WBQ was insane!

[@abdalrhmanali-p3d]

It's annoying, it's loud, it's beautiful and I love it.

[@philipspencer1834]

10 years already (more now!🥺) where did the time go? Great video….. thank you 😎👍

[@railquest]

@@philipspencer1834 many thanks! Yep it only feels like yesterday when they were considered new

[@davideddy5877]

Once of the best looking locos of recent years. Powerful looking but stylish.

[@railquest]

Fully agree - truly a modern locomotive

[@northernblue1093]

Very well produced and presented.

[@railquest]

Many thanks!

[@alanrobertson9790]

Great video, encouraged me to subscribe. I think the Class 68 is the best modern diesel for the enthusiast. Beautiful looks and sound. Haven't heard anything as exciting since the Deltics.

[@railquest]

Many thanks! And absolutely - definitely a loco that gets a lot right in the eyes of enthusiasts!

[@daviddobson6108]

Hello from USA. Thanks for an informative video of class 68 with great film and sound too. I like the flexibility of this locomotive and hope it will provide good service for a long time.

[@railquest]

Many thanks! It's definitely a loco that's capable of a lot of things!

[@bongman123]

I feel the MK5s are more likely to end up with Chiltern to place the older MK3s, that is what makes the most sense for me anyways.

[@railquest]

@@bongman123 that seems to be what is the current intentions though given they're in fixed sets of 5 carriages, I'm not sure how Chiltern intend to replace 6 MK3s with 5 MK5s - that's quite a drop in capacity

[@stevieinselby]

Speculation I know, but would it make sense to move surplus 68s to the Caledonian Sleeper? When trains north of the central belt are often using a 66 *and* a 73 to haul 7 or so carriages, it seems like a 68 could do the job of both of them and do it far more efficiently - especially the ex-TPX fleet that is already configured to work with Mk5a carriages.

[@railquest]

Interesting idea. Not sure if Caledonian are locked into a contract with GBRf currently that might prevent such a reality. Perhaps the biggest foreseeable issue for that may be further noise complaints of the locos in Fort William and Inverness specifically but who knows!

[@TheGreatWesternGuy]

Oh no way! Firstly, great video! Really love the 68s and this was very well presented! Also, great meeting you at Canley for the Class 52 on Sunday! Keep up the good work!

[@railquest]

Many thanks!

[@TheGreatWesternGuy]

@@railquest you're more than welcome 😁

[@trainsrules080908]

Such a great and well put together video. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been able to work with these locos over the past year.

[@railquest]

Many thanks! What do you work as with them?

[@trainsrules080908]

@@railquest I’m a fitter, but it also included depot driving 👍🏻

[@MrScootmcg]

Having seen them in Fife circle service, yes they are loud! Scotrail should have opted for them instead of the worn out, unreliable HSTs for their IC7 services.

[@railquest]

@@MrScootmcg for sure! I do miss them operating on those services.

[@ramblingrob4693]

The sound is old loco sound, like a HST, I love it

[@railquest]

Definitely brings back a level of thrash to the railways reminiscent of the modernisation plan designs!

[@davidlockwood6630]

At the start of the video you refered to the class 68 as your favourite train .as any serious rail fan will know they are locomotives , a train is what they haul

[@heyrodtrainspotter9700]

MK5a's and the 68's would suit TFW in my opinion

[@railquest]

Loads of speculation has gone down on places like RailUK forums about potential like this. Atm it sounds like Chiltern will be taking them on to replace the MK3s given a recent tender that seems to target the mk5s specifically. If that does happen - I could see the Chiltern non-MK5 68s replacing the 67s in use with TFW

[@RobertBlack-m8u]

With some members of the class been stored maybe the likes of GBRF could look at these as alternatives to some of the aging class 66 locomotives?

[@Mike-kc8rl]

Good informative video! It's looking more likely that Chiltern railway is also going to hand back its 68s. as like TPE, they are experiencing noise issues, however its believed one of the class has been fitted with a new exhaust system for trial?

[@railquest]

Thanks! I keep hearing contradictory rumours on this tbf. One moment I'll hear about these noise complaints, then a second later I hear that Chiltern are interested in purchasing the ex TPE mk5 sets haha. Will be interesting to see what happens in the end!

[@maestromanification]

You missed out them being used on services in Norfolk for a couple of years

[@railquest]

Good spot! I think I also miss out them working on the Cumbrian Coast as well. Tbf, I don't necessarily think both of these were a fundamental part of their history - simply some workings that they did for a while

[@maestromanification]

@@railquest the anglia workings were very much part of their history as they were the first passenger workings of the Class thet were worked by DRS drivers on a daily basis

[@TLGvideos]

Great video. Love the sound of the 68s. I filmed one at Stafford a few weeks ago, I thought it was a helicopter approaching! 👍🏻😁

[@railquest]

Thanks! Absolutely - such a modern classic!

[@barclaylower]

I first the class 68 when there on test in Norwich on the brunch lines then when the 153 & 156 units started to go there was a short set of mk2 coaches with a 68 on Each end. on wherry line and Norwich to Yarmouth plus a pair of 37s on anther short set till the new saddlers unit sets came into service

[@railquest]

@@barclaylower those were the days! I unfortunately never managed to get down to the Wherry Lines during the DRS stock takeover

[@DanLoudShirts]

Interesting video. The first time I heard one was at Waverley. Absolute beast of a noise. I can see why the residents of Scarborough were a tad miffed! If they're so much lighter than the 66s they may get used on routes where old 37s currently roam.

[@railquest]

Thanks! Yes I had the pleasure of seeing a couple of these at Waverley and they'd always be the only train you could hear whenever they were there. Unfortunately, despite being lighter, the axle weight is quite similar as their bo-bo axle arrangement means less wheels to distribute weight. As a result, both 66s and 68s have the same route availability. The class 37s have the same number of axles as a class 66, but 20 less tons - truly a challenging loco to replace!

[@NikonF5user]

I'm surprised they cannot be muffled without disrupting too much power...

[@railquest]

I keep hearing that Chiltern/DRS are looking into lowering the volume though I'm not sure what specifically they're planning to do. I doubt it would have an impact on the performance of the loco though 🙂

[@s1914]

Super vid! 👏 well done on the improved format and overall professionalism. Very good!

[@railquest]

Many thanks!!

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

Well presented video. Good accompanying footage.

[@railquest]

Thanks!

[@charliethetrainspotter4963]

Great video mate, I am a rail spotter, I love those class 68,88 locomotives, I don’t understand why they are going for storage, they are very modern locos in the uk. 😐🤔

[@railquest]

@@charliethetrainspotter4963 Thanks! Yes they are fantastic locos and a wasted opportunity to send some of them for storage. Thankfully, only half the fleet will be sent to storage

[@ramblingrob4693]

Never seen them in the flesh, the Transpennine livery makes them look futuristic

[@railquest]

When you get a chance to see one - the first thing that you'll notice is how loud they are😅 I definitely agree on the transpennine livery but I honestly think every livery they've had (apart from maybe the Chiltern plain silvery colours) looks futuristic.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Hi There Again my real Name is Mr Cannadine T. Boxill-Harris, I have another interesting idea for most of us Class 507, Class 508, Class 313, and Class 314 and that also includes those interesting Class 315 Fans out there, rather than scrapping most of those Class 507, Class 508, Class 313's Class 314 including the Class 315's maybe you guys can convert them. Including the refurbishment into the Volvo TD102KF Engine, Leyland 680 Engine, Volvo B10M Engine, Scania N112 Engine, Cummins M11 Engine, Gardner LG1200 Engine, Gardner 6LXB Engine, Gardner 8LXB Engine, Class 507, Class 508, Class 313's, Class 314's and the Class 315's and convert all of them into a 2 Carriages and Three Carriages of the Class 313's, Class 314's and that is including those Class 315's for most of us Class 314 and Class 315 Diesel Train Fans PLEASE. Are you still going to do this interesting type of Project for all of us out there Pretty Please?

[@435arkroyal]

Great vid, very informative

[@railquest]

Thanks!

[@markdavid7013]

Nice looking locomotives..very modern,sleek.

[@railquest]

Indeed - I'd put them up as one of the best looking locomotives but then I'm more of a fan of modern stuff. They've been fortunate enough to have a decent line up of liveries applied to them, with 68006 looking particularly fancy at the moment with the newer DRS colours

[@butikimbo9595]

Scarborough residents (the fussy ones) must accept that the railway is not a place whose long gone Steam Era should be taken for granted as a Noise Free Zone relying in much quieter modern traction! Class 68s/67s rumbling engine reve when on electric suply mode to energise climatized coaches whilst stationary, brings much more convenience than inconvenience. So lineside residents from elsewhere, specially alongside Train/Tram Depots, must expect a noisy environment before move to a property in such locations, and more important, expect their long closed railway to be restored for its original purpose any time in story, because Dr. Beeching just switched the Standby Mode button to save tax payers money, despite Marples much different intentions.

[@railquest]

To an extent, but I have to admit - every time I'm close to a 68 on ETS, I can usually hear it from a pretty far distance. They're way louder than the 185s and I honestly can't say I wouldn't also complain if I lived in the area and the 185s were swapped for 68s on Scarborough depot haha

[@TheClunkingFist]

A class 68 provides my msg notifications on my phone. I love the engine note: I love a good diesel, me.

[@railquest]

Great idea, that! I guess it'd feel like an earthquake is going off when you get a message in that case give the engine note in question lol

[@butikimbo9595]

Railway Network Electrification in Britain is far to be a total reality for a variety of reasons among historic and financial. So i believe class 68s will play an imoortant role along to class 66s by keep on the moove significant flow of goods by rail and who knows special train movements that at the present are heritage traction duties such as class 43 HSTs, 37s and 47s reaching their end of the line on mainline duties. Not even to mention class 20s and 56s.

[@railquest]

Interesting point for sure. Personally, I certainly hope they get more use than they get atm! I always was confused as to why 68s weren't earmarked for replacing 37s on NR test duties but, annoyingly, 68s are RA7 whereas the 37s are RA5 so they can head test trains over tiny branch lines

[@jammiedodger7040]

Can’t beat diesel locomotives.

[@jimihendrix991]

...didn't the CAF Mk V's also have issues with frame cracks (amongst other serious defects)?

[@railquest]

They did from what I remember but that was merely one of many reasons they were withdrawn from TPE. From my understanding, the crew training was the main factor

[@andrewbutler6477]

Rare beasts in south Wales only ever seen 2 in Newport/Cardiff

[@railquest]

@@andrewbutler6477 Shame they've been absent from certain parts of the UK like that. Hopefully some future use of them will require their presence in that region 🤞

[@sydwoods.woodsendjunction9492]

great video matey , very informative thanks for the information loved it , take care a r b syd👍

[@railquest]

Many thanks!

[@SteveSmithRailways]

They'd be great locos for the Scottish sleeper trains and get rid of the 73/9's

[@railquest]

This seems to be an interesting recurring answer. My response to a previous comment was - Not sure if Caledonian are locked into a contract with GBRf currently that might prevent such a reality. Perhaps the biggest foreseeable issue for that may be further noise complaints of the locos in Fort William and Inverness specifically but who knows!

[@evertonporter7887]

1:09 Enterprise!

[@m-arky66]

Very cool but, i want to know what bracking is?

[@alanrobertson9790]

Ha ha, a special form of braking. 😜

[@davedear929]

So much quieter than the first generation diesels they were so noisy. and smokey.

[@railquest]

In some ways definitely. But in terms of bass, I honestly think they can be louder at times😅 Certainly when ETS is active whilst standing still, I don't think many locos rival them

[@jammiedodger7040]

Mark 5 are literally a disgrace to the Mark name.

[@chompette_]

Damn over half life expired :( Big Cats live to be 13-17 years old.

[@jammiedodger7040]

Regulations are just stupid.

[@jammiedodger7040]

DRS should just scrap there 66’s.

[@garymcgregor7048]

Beast 😂😂

[@jonjames9788]

I was the 88th like, hehe (great vid btw)

[@railquest]

Thanks haha

[@EM-yk1dw]

Dreadful things