New toys in the box

kevsmith Apr 10, 2017

  1. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    As a contrast to the venerable steam locos I find when I'm on my travels the scene at work is ultra modern. We've just taken delivery of some more of the fleet of new Class 88 25Kv AC/Diesel hybrids

    Built by Stadler in Spain (Formerly known as Vossloh) these are at the cutting edge of loco development in the U.K being one of Vossloh's Eurolite designs shrunk down to fit the british loading gauge

    First to arrive was 88 002 Prometheus

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    The design uses the same basic bodyshell as our Class 68 diesels but packs 5,400 HP of electric traction with a 'last mile' Cat C27 diesel pumping out a respectable 950 HP. Changeover on traction can be done 'On the fly'

    88 006 Juno awaits commisioning

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    88 010 Aurora and 88 007 Electra flank 68 027 which is yet to be named

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    88 008 Ariadne

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    Close up of 88 003 'Genesis'

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    Kurt Moose, ZFRANK and BoxcabE50 like this.
  2. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Only 88002 has been out on test runs so far but was soon in real action rescuing a failed freight train in the Eden Valley during its light engine move.

    Seen on the southbound move a couple of hours before it drifts down the the steep gradient 'Shap' section of the West coast mainline at the famous railfan site of Scout Green

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    Picture is a still taken from a short video I've put on youtube which also has a bit of double headed Class 68s on the Tesco rain at Lockerbie

    [​IMG]



    The names, as you can see, are based on Greek Mythology and the keen eyed will spot that some of these names were previously used on the Woodhead line 1500V DC EM2 electrics

    • 88001 – Revolution
    • 88002 – Prometheus
    • 88003 – Genesis
    • 88004 – Pandora
    • 88005 – Minerva
    • 88006 – Juno
    • 88007 – Electra
    • 88008 – Ariadne
    • 88009 – Diana
    • 88010 – Aurora
    Kev
     
  3. Ed Slanina

    Ed Slanina TrainBoard Member

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    Cool video, awesome units, nothing like what EMD built While I worked there.
     
  4. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting looking machines, Kev. Thanks for posting.
     
  5. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Kev,
    Is the diesel able to haul trains over non electtrified lines? Or is it just to be able to drop off cars at un electrified sidings? So to say to spare out on a local switcher.
     
  6. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    They do have an interesting, and nice, look from the front. I'm also still impressed with the habit of naming each unit, that is a nice touch.
     
  7. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Wind forward some months and the 88's are now well and truly in front line service. They have taken over a big chunk of the Cumbrian Coast freight work using the diesel engines to get to Currock Junction or Carnforth on diesel power before putting the Pan' up and going forward on 25Kv.

    I've still not shot as much stuff on these as I would have liked and the weather is starting to close in now so here is a video of the footage I've got so far. You'll notice I've done some 'Landscapey' shots around Kirkby and Foxfield for something different!



    Kev
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.

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