Hi and sorry for the very late reply. I did drive them for a very short time but then I had a slight change of job that took me away. They certainly pick their feet up.
Saw one Preston station around 1980. My Dad asked if I could step up in the cab which was agreed. I had a Hornby trainset of it - sold 10 years ago f4 hundred quid. (shame it never worked out - not enough government dollar compared to the French with the TGV)
@@paulmivvi7828 There were other problems which had no economic solutions: eg. the centrally-located power car could not be tilted and it also isolated the two halves of the train, requiring two refreshment facilities and staff. The quite different Pendolino tilt system avoided these problems.
As someone born & bred in Coppenhall it's great to see the 4 track line out of Crewe. For all you "youngsters" the 4 track section used to house water troughs on the 2 fast lines in the steam era! The fields on the left had a public path so you could watch a "Coronation" steamer at full speed picking up water! Odd that the 4 track overhead has been reduced to 2 tracks so early as operators are always complaining about congestion. Great video thanks for taking me back to my young days!
There are a few points where wide-span OHLE structures cover just two tracks (but where presumably there were four previously, eg. around Weaver Junction). I wonder how long it's been since an electric train used the short section of wired track leading off at Hartford Junction?
I was a driver at Crewe but left in 85. Worked on crewe north box for a short while after leaving school then worked in Crewe south till I was 18 then transferred to saltley diesel depot in Birmingham to get on the footplate. Good to see the old APT still around. I used to do the test runs on it during the weekend's from Carlisle to oxenhome and back to Carlisle then back to oxenhome back to Carlisle, and repeat 😂 (I think oxenhome long time ago now) the hydro brakes took a bit of getting used to but I found them fine. I wasnt passed out on it just helped out driving as it was an 18 hour shift. I ran that crewe to Liverpool route a lot, it was the first route I signed for as well as the hollyhead route. Thanks for posting
Same here m8. Did my traction training, boiler training, worked on the job for several years. Saw the APT at Crewe and Preston a fair few times during trials. Always the most senior drivers got those turns! I was usually second man on a steam heat 47/2 or something similar! We did the Trans Pennine stuff, and leccies to Euston. Sundays was usually dragging diverted Class 1 jobs all around the countryside due to engineers possessions! Left in 85, went to college and worked in IT for the rest of my days. Where are you living now, as it looks very remote and wild! (The rock removal vid).
Really like this loco and one of my favourites, great to see different units being shown here, 185's 158's and now the class 68 all my gifts coming at one time. Many things for the great work with the captions also they really do help the trip so much easier to understand.
Yes it sings a bit Henry. Of course it sounds much louder on the outside. You can’t hear yourself thing at Victoria or Leeds when those big diesel jockeys get excited ;-)
Well I didn't think it was possible but you've totally out done yourself with this one, never expected to see a 68 cab ride. Really enjoyed this, can't beat some good old 68 thrash. Top stuff.
@@doncoffey5820 I can imagine but I think I speak for everyone watching your videos that we all appreciate the time & effort that goes into making these videos.
Just recently come across your channel, Don, and I'm really glad I did. I've never worked on the railways - just a humble overgrown schoolboy who loves trains! The videos and your answers are really informative. Great work, and thanks for your efforts.
Thanks Nick. I think most lads fancied being a train driver at some stage in their life. Anyone who has even a remote interest in railways should find something of interest but watching more of the videos will help fill in the blanks as they all cover slightly different subjects.
Was seeing 68 Brutus passing nearly everyday few weeks back on light engine from yard in winsford were I was working can hear it roaring has its coming up from winsford station amazing sound. Thanks for this great video much appreciated bud 👍👍👍
Awesome post, as all ways . ..but as the loco first pulls away , did anyone else notice the curious looking rainbow cloud on the left of the sky view? Most curious . ..a lovely video though, does anyone else watch these to help with insomnia? They are magic, though I do love anything train related...it is most soothing for my soul to listen watch and learn from these beautiful videos that you and many others take the time and energy to create and share..Many thanks ☣️
Haha! I’m taking that as a kind of compliment - keeping in mind it might be boring ;-) Actually, I start nodding too after a while especially in parts where it is just covering miles. By the way Julian, that strange rainbow was entirely due to a cheap and cheerful Polarising filter which I’ve stopped using now. I suppose you get what you pay for! All the best.
Hi Don, no matter how ever many times I see the viaduct at Runcorn, and the new road bridge, I am amazed at the architecture and design. To think there was a man in an office somewhere in Victorian times who drew that out on paper, passed by his boss and given to the works foreman, without comment, built and still standing. It's a great shame that members of the travelling public do not see it from carriage windows.
You get a great view of these bad boys from the little window you see on the left @ 1:05. Its the model railway room in the heritage centre. They have some nice chairs there for you to while away an hour or so watching 00 scale and full scale trains go by. Well worth a visit. The last time I was there I saw this train go up and down 5 or 6 times always wondered what it was.
Many thanks for the reply Don and okay about the filter! Keep waxing lyrical about your enthusiasm for the old buildings, etc.., we support you! Regards, Rob.
A Bell was much better for the AWS on a green, it distinguish better from a yellow.I used to love riding up the front with the driver ,one excuse was to bring a pot of tea for the driver and secondman .Seeing people on bridges used to get me worried. One low point was when we nearly wiped out two track workers walking with their backs to the trains on the down slow where the tracks went from two to four at Woolmer Green.They just manage to get out the way by about two seconds! that shook me up slightly.I would have been in trouble cos I wasnt supposed have been travelling with the driver!!
Hi Don. Fantastic run up the west coast line in the 68 Top marks for TPE for putting on loco hauled trains to stop over crowding but 5 coaches still won’t be enough!! Look at our roads we widen them they fill before there finished 🙈 Cross country trains should do the same maybe with a 68 and MK3 coaches as there’s plenty stood up in sidings. Great video Dom cheers Stevie 😁
I always enjoy your videos Don. I have often walked under the Dutton Viaduct and driven over Runcorn Widnes bridge, great to see them from a different angle.
I live in the chilterns, and regularly see/hear these 68s on chiltern mainline duties. That cat engine sounds fantstic, if the winds in the right direction you can hear them for miles. Great video, really shows the accceleration and power of the 68
I often see (And hear!) Class 68s passing through my home town of Bicester. I've taken to nick-naming them 'Boom-boxes' because they don't half kick out a lot of noise! (Seems pretty quiet in the cab, though.)
There's usually a couple of 08's at the Alstom plant just west of Ditton and a couple at Speke Junction where the shunting was taking place. There's also one on Allerton depot which is the left as you leave Liverpool South Parkway on the CLC line to Manchester. Before it got rebuilt as a depot for DMU's (it's or iginal use when we had 1st generation DMU's)and now EMU's there were a large number of scrapped 08's dumped at Allerton depot.
The videos always look better 24 hours after posting as TH-cam seems to buffer up to full definition in that time. The images should look good on a big screen as they are at 1080P/60. Glad you liked it.
wow it's quiet isn't it I mean compared t a shed Great video and I love your captioned vids keep em coming it's nice to see the North west being covered!!
Wow Don, very very, VERY good!! Super captions but of course the start of the show is the '68', my favourite diesel locos! Super work and super driving, well done! :D
The Go Pro can’t be beaten for images but the sound is hopeless. The little soundbite is just something a bit different because I know many like sound but it is a high fidelity stereo recording taken with a different camera. It was actually done from just outside the internal cab door and not in the engine room.
Didnt realise Eddie Stobart was as big as that...100`s of trailers and wagons...and his warehouses are huge. worth a few bob considering he started with sweet F A .......when I was 19 worked for Wincanton \ Frigidaire,we did long weekend nights ( fri sat sun mon ) installing air conditioning at Halewood...in the offices that were being extended..me and 4 of our firm and about 25 other contractors..earned a few quid that week...back in late 80`s
Russel Morgan - as I live and breath!!! Eddie Stobart is big into distribution of all sorts. The old chap dies some years ago and I knew his son Edward that built it up to what it is now (with his brother). We used to go to meetings together when I was in the truck industry but unfortunately Edward died at an early age too.
That CAT C175 purring sounds just like the ALP-45DP’s twin 3512C HD engines! Well, the muffled version does. I’ve never heard an ALP-45DP’s engines from inside the locomotive.
Came back from Crewe Sunday one night back in the 1980,s i was out chasing class 85,s ...i was waiting for the ( i think it was a Birmingham to Carlisle ) you sometimes got a Class 85 working it ...this night a 87 working it and we got diverted via Hartford Junction back on to the WCML ...
Remember watchng the ATP come past AP Comercials in Garstang under its own power only to be dragged back to Preston behind a Diesl loco after yet another breakdown as the tlting system failed agan and again yet the Italians were able to solved the problem and now we have the pedilinos
Lovely and I do not think I have seen a ride in this class of locomotive before - a real treat ! A ride in a thunder or snowstorm would be really awesome !!!! Regards, Dana.
I’m afraid that won’t happen with my videos as it’s one of the conditions of sharing imposed by my company. It’s their choice so I’m not going against them 👍
Awesome trip, Don. The enhanced sounds, especially as power is demanded from the fantastic engines and then lowered, ARE the ‘background music’ of the video and videographers who add unrelated music need to be ignored, in my view.What most viewers want, I believe, is what you give us, a REALexperience. Thanks again. What is Wavertree Junction, just a parking area ?
Thanks James. I know that on the odd occasion where I’ve posted without sound it isn’t as well received and I totally get that. Using Wavertree Junction is unusual but brought about by a matter of convenience. Transpennine Express need to train a large number of drivers on them and there are no “paths” available over the Pennines where they will be used. For that reason, they were given slots on the WCML and as sending them into Lime St to change ends and go back would cause more disruption so that little spur at Wavertree Junction was ideal.
So on deceleration they switch circuits into deceleration mode, similar to changing into a lower gear and using the engine to brake (as wells the resistors here) hence the engine is speeding up? Would make sense and save fuel as well. Always wondered when this would be introduced. Interesting how protective some train companies are about filming though considering all those airlines allowing even pilots explaining cockpit controls. But nice intro of this machine!
Thats exactly right about the braking mode. It keeps the brakes cooler for harder braking. I could probably post some stills inside the cab but I’ve been very lucky that TransPennine Express have allowed be to share the footage. Rather than cross a line I’ll play it safe.
Anyone wants to see the cockpit of this great train, try this website : www.railway-centre.com/class-68.html. You will then understand why I use the word 'cockpit' - no spite Don, but that puts your security comment out on a very big limb. Sorry for that statement. Ab Fab video though - love watching them all. Thanks
I’ve reviewed my conditions of filming and in fact I could have shown a picture but I’m not allowed to film it being driven. Whatever anybody else does is irrelevant as I’m bound by those rules. I’m lucky they allow me to share them.
Love your videos.... and have a question about the track system. Every so often (a Mile or KM?) the train passes over a sensor sitting in the middle of the track, and a chime is heard in the cab. Is that some kind of RFID tracker to report position or speed of the train?
If you notice, that sensor (AWS magnet) is on the approach to signals and speed restrictions. Its a magnet with switchable poles that the train passes over. When not energised (fail safe) it causes the buzzer that warns the driver to pay attention to a speed restriction, a signal at caution or at danger. When energised, it reverses the pole and it causes the ding which basically means, all well, no action needed.
At 16 mins you say the flashing yellows mean the driver knows he will have a proceed aspect at the junction. Presumably that was changed after the Norton bridge crash in the 80s when a driver assumed that and wasn't ready to stop at a red which followed the flashing yellows?
Been over the line from Crewe so many times but never with this view. The sequence of tracks at Hartford Junction is Down Fast, Down Slow, Up Fast, Up Slow.
It is. I did change it but Imovie is awkward to work with and undoes editing if not very careful. I knew as soon as I’d uploaded it but without taking down I couldn’t edit it.
@@doncoffey5820 maybe it's the location of the mic and the way I was listening too, but I was suprised by the quietness. From a driver's perspective, not having to put up with a cacophony must certainly reduce fatigue and potential hearing loss compared to some of the earlier motive power!
Finding your videos great watching. I am a 77yo ex-trainspotter and have watched most of your videos. Interesting to see the old steam sheds such as Crewe North, Edge Hill, Upperby, Kingmoor, Neville Hill, Patricroft,Longsight etc etc. I would be fascinated to see a Tamworth to Crewe cab view especially the new Norton Bridge section. Any chance of that Don? Keep up the good work
I’ve had to take a little break due to other commitments but I would imagine the next video will be week commencing the 13th Jan. I’ve already got some footage that needs editing but I’ll be redoing some of the older videos to include captions. These will be shot in Ultra HD so keep watching! I think due to the popularity, the return journey in the Class 68 loco will be next.
@@doncoffey5820 That is absolutely great news !!! I will be looking forward to you following videos - thanks for sharing those !!! (Don't forget my ideas of heavy rainstorms, or thunderstorms) Best regards, Dana.
Lovely video, do enjoy the 68 and will be overjoyed to travel on it with TPE next year. One question... why have that Alstom Facility at Ditton if Edge Hill Depot is just up the road?
The depot at Edge Hill does servicing and light repairs but that facility at Ditton can do major re-fits and painting. You can get a full set out of the weather and in fact the one in the video has fresh paint on it.
At 27:22 a reference is made to a security problem if you show the controls of the loco you are in. Why is that, I would have thought that a control panel is a control panel?
Who'd have thought this would already be consigned to history ! 😭
It would have been hard to imagine a couple of years ago. Who knows, they may come back.
Huge well done to TPE for having the brains and balls to go back to loco stock. Will be so much more comfortable and quiet than a Pendo or Voyager
This engine sounds REALLY powerful. Must be a thrill to drive. Many thanks for the captions Don
Hi and sorry for the very late reply. I did drive them for a very short time but then I had a slight change of job that took me away. They certainly pick their feet up.
Love the APT at 1:20 on the left side - I remember seeing it as a boy at Shields Road depot in Glasgow during an open day - showing my age now..
I also remember that open day 1977/8 perhaps? i later went on to work on the dam thing!
Saw one Preston station around 1980. My Dad asked if I could step up in the cab which was agreed. I had a Hornby trainset of it - sold 10 years ago f4 hundred quid. (shame it never worked out - not enough government dollar compared to the French with the TGV)
@@paulmivvi7828 There were other problems which had no economic solutions: eg. the centrally-located power car could not be tilted and it also isolated the two halves of the train, requiring two refreshment facilities and staff. The quite different Pendolino tilt system avoided these problems.
For the record the train has in fact never once been a boy.
🤣
As someone born & bred in Coppenhall it's great to see the 4 track line out of Crewe. For all you "youngsters" the 4 track section used to house water troughs on the 2 fast lines in the steam era! The fields on the left had a public path so you could watch a "Coronation" steamer at full speed picking up water! Odd that the 4 track overhead has been reduced to 2 tracks so early as operators are always complaining about congestion. Great video thanks for taking me back to my young days!
Interesting comments and observations - thank you.
There are a few points where wide-span OHLE structures cover just two tracks (but where presumably there were four previously, eg. around Weaver Junction). I wonder how long it's been since an electric train used the short section of wired track leading off at Hartford Junction?
Another brilliant video. Love the rainbow at the start and the sound in the cabin of this train. Sounds so smooth!
Actually Jezz, that is a hue from a cheap polarising filter that I bought (since condemned) but yes, the loco is very smooth.
I was a driver at Crewe but left in 85.
Worked on crewe north box for a short while after leaving school then worked in Crewe south till I was 18 then transferred to saltley diesel depot in Birmingham to get on the footplate.
Good to see the old APT still around. I used to do the test runs on it during the weekend's from Carlisle to oxenhome and back to Carlisle then back to oxenhome back to Carlisle, and repeat 😂 (I think oxenhome long time ago now) the hydro brakes took a bit of getting used to but I found them fine. I wasnt passed out on it just helped out driving as it was an 18 hour shift.
I ran that crewe to Liverpool route a lot, it was the first route I signed for as well as the hollyhead route. Thanks for posting
Same here m8. Did my traction training, boiler training, worked on the job for several years. Saw the APT at Crewe and Preston a fair few times during trials. Always the most senior drivers got those turns! I was usually second man on a steam heat 47/2 or something similar! We did the Trans Pennine stuff, and leccies to Euston. Sundays was usually dragging diverted Class 1 jobs all around the countryside due to engineers possessions! Left in 85, went to college and worked in IT for the rest of my days. Where are you living now, as it looks very remote and wild! (The rock removal vid).
Really like this loco and one of my favourites, great to see different units being shown here, 185's 158's and now the class 68 all my gifts coming at one time. Many things for the great work with the captions also they really do help the trip so much easier to understand.
You never know, something else might pop up soon. Keep watching!
Really enjoyed watching this and love the sound of the class 68!
Yes it sings a bit Henry. Of course it sounds much louder on the outside. You can’t hear yourself thing at Victoria or Leeds when those big diesel jockeys get excited ;-)
Well I didn't think it was possible but you've totally out done yourself with this one, never expected to see a 68 cab ride. Really enjoyed this, can't beat some good old 68 thrash. Top stuff.
You never know what opportunities arise and I had a lot of help from the instructor in getting it organised. He’s a top bloke and a keen railwayman.
@@doncoffey5820 I can imagine but I think I speak for everyone watching your videos that we all appreciate the time & effort that goes into making these videos.
Great vid thanks. Did like the engine room shot.
What a difference to all the early Diesels. So clean and spacious.
Thanks again 😀👍😎
It was quite new that loco but I think they stay quite clean.
Just recently come across your channel, Don, and I'm really glad I did. I've never worked on the railways - just a humble overgrown schoolboy who loves trains! The videos and your answers are really informative. Great work, and thanks for your efforts.
Thanks Nick. I think most lads fancied being a train driver at some stage in their life. Anyone who has even a remote interest in railways should find something of interest but watching more of the videos will help fill in the blanks as they all cover slightly different subjects.
these are just fab recordings, brings new viewings to us, who we long to view upfront driver experience, can view a whole journey in real time. Fab.🤓
Was seeing 68 Brutus passing nearly everyday few weeks back on light engine from yard in winsford were I was working can hear it roaring has its coming up from winsford station amazing sound. Thanks for this great video much appreciated bud 👍👍👍
Awesome post, as all ways . ..but as the loco first pulls away , did anyone else notice the curious looking rainbow cloud on the left of the sky view? Most curious . ..a lovely video though, does anyone else watch these to help with insomnia? They are magic, though I do love anything train related...it is most soothing for my soul to listen watch and learn from these beautiful videos that you and many others take the time and energy to create and share..Many thanks ☣️
Haha! I’m taking that as a kind of compliment - keeping in mind it might be boring ;-) Actually, I start nodding too after a while especially in parts where it is just covering miles. By the way Julian, that strange rainbow was entirely due to a cheap and cheerful Polarising filter which I’ve stopped using now. I suppose you get what you pay for! All the best.
I love the muffled sound of that engine. It sounds so cool!
Another great video today. Always a comfortable ride. Thanks Don.
Thanks Martin.
The noise of genset is a heavenly music!
Yes, they do make quite an unusual noise. Those locos are fantastic.
The video high frame rate gives a great amount of realism. Excellent. The 68 sounds very nice too.
Yes, they do sound good. They should be out and about in passenger service this summer.
Superb quality video. Brought back memories for me and BR when I worked in the Engineering dept and walked and worked most of that route.
Hi Don, no matter how ever many times I see the viaduct at Runcorn, and the new road bridge, I am amazed at the architecture and design. To think there was a man in an office somewhere in Victorian times who drew that out on paper, passed by his boss and given to the works foreman, without comment, built and still standing. It's a great shame that members of the travelling public do not see it from carriage windows.
Absolutely Ray. It’s a fine work of art.
You get a great view of these bad boys from the little window you see on the left @ 1:05. Its the model railway room in the heritage centre. They have some nice chairs there for you to while away an hour or so watching 00 scale and full scale trains go by. Well worth a visit. The last time I was there I saw this train go up and down 5 or 6 times always wondered what it was.
Those Class 68's sound awesome machines, we sometimes get the occasional one on the Mountsorrel stone. Top video.
Excellent ride and your location info is really nice. Thank You
Many thanks for the reply Don and okay about the filter! Keep waxing lyrical about your enthusiasm for the old buildings, etc.., we support you! Regards, Rob.
Its a very nice walk along the River Weaver under the viaduct by the Vale Royal locks. Great video.
You’re not the first to say that. I must go one day and see for myself.
A Bell was much better for the AWS on a green, it distinguish better from a yellow.I used to love riding up the front with the driver ,one excuse was to bring a pot of tea for the driver and secondman .Seeing people on bridges used to get me worried. One low point was when we nearly wiped out two track workers walking with their backs to the trains on the down slow where the tracks went from two to four at Woolmer Green.They just manage to get out the way by about two seconds! that shook me up slightly.I would have been in trouble cos I wasnt supposed have been travelling with the driver!!
Hi Don. Fantastic run up the west coast line in the 68 Top marks for TPE for putting on loco hauled trains to stop over crowding but 5 coaches still won’t be enough!! Look at our roads we widen them they fill before there finished 🙈 Cross country trains should do the same maybe with a 68 and MK3 coaches as there’s plenty stood up in sidings. Great video Dom cheers Stevie 😁
We’ve got big problems with short platforms.
Good quality video 👍
Captioning makes all of the difference.
I’ve done it now - thanks. I’m at constant war with auto correct.
I always enjoy your videos Don. I have often walked under the Dutton Viaduct and driven over Runcorn Widnes bridge, great to see them from a different angle.
Its nice scenery for sure. I’ll post up the return journey but probably not until January due to other commitments.
@@doncoffey5820 I filmed TPE 68030 Black Dougal light engine at Wigan today.
Yes, I saw it was out and about with one of the instructors. They had cause to take one to Preston.
Great stuff Don - I now have a Beatles song in my head (and in my heart lol). Keep up the good work - many thanks for creating and sharing, Bruce.
Goes to flippin’ bed with me some days when I’ve been over that route!
First class - thanks Don. Love the captions and the quality of the video. Super looking loco as well. I want one!
If you have a few million burning a hole in your pocket? ;-)
Unfortunately, just down to my last two - so I had better rein myself in a bit. (I wish!) @@doncoffey5820(
Awesome video of the Class 68 Thundercat cab view.
Yes, they should be in service soon.
Excellent video, captions and comments are great too. Thanks for sharing!!!
I live in the chilterns, and regularly see/hear these 68s on chiltern mainline duties. That cat engine sounds fantstic, if the winds in the right direction you can hear them for miles. Great video, really shows the accceleration and power of the 68
Thanks Russ. Have you seen the Scarborough video?
@@doncoffey5820 no, worth a watch?
Its another one with a Class 68 but hauling a load. Turn up the volume!
What a magnificent piece of machinery!!!
Yes, it’s very modern and I’ll be showing the return journey soon.
So, if you start the journey in Cheshire, it doesn't rain! Another brilliant travelogue, looking forward to the return journey. Many thanks.
Nice free cab ride, nice also to go somewhere, where I had never been, and possibly never will 😊.
Stunning! Absolutely stunning!
I often see (And hear!) Class 68s passing through my home town of Bicester. I've taken to nick-naming them 'Boom-boxes' because they don't half kick out a lot of noise! (Seems pretty quiet in the cab, though.)
Yes they are surprisingly quiet in the cab. They bring the roof down (figure of speech) in covered stations!
Good video. That’s a heck of a motor. Thanks.
TH-cam is the funniest thing Thomas. Its just given me this as a new comment and there you are thinking I’m ignoring you! All the best buddy ;-)
Cracking video. Thank you so much for sharing.
A Class 08 shunter shunting wagons at 30:50 is quite a nostalgic sight.
There's usually a couple of 08's at the Alstom plant just west of Ditton and a couple at Speke Junction where the shunting was taking place. There's also one on Allerton depot which is the left as you leave Liverpool South Parkway on the CLC line to Manchester. Before it got rebuilt as a depot for DMU's (it's or iginal use when we had 1st generation DMU's)and now EMU's there were a large number of scrapped 08's dumped at Allerton depot.
Superb footage. Great viewing on the big screen.
The videos always look better 24 hours after posting as TH-cam seems to buffer up to full definition in that time. The images should look good on a big screen as they are at 1080P/60. Glad you liked it.
excellent as always, big thumbs up for this, love the 68's, can't wait for the Nova 3 sets to start
wow it's quiet isn't it I mean compared t a shed
Great video and I love your captioned vids keep em coming it's nice to see the North west being covered!!
That’s amazing - it’s so quiet and looks smooth too. Thanks for a great video 😀
Wow Don, very very, VERY good!! Super captions but of course the start of the show is the '68', my favourite diesel locos! Super work and super driving, well done! :D
Not me driving this time. It was in the very capable hands of my colleague.
Don Coffey - Okey dokey :-) When will the return be uploaded? Looking forward very much to seeing that! :-)
Mid to late January unless I find myself relieved of other workload.
Thank you :-)
Love to see a Cl68 for real. the colours etc make it look like a future loco
The best livery in my opinion.
Lovely video. I look forward to the return journey.
Lovely locos Don,looking forward to seeing loco haulded trains on the Scarborough line.
Cheers Don for another informative video for the train novice 👍🏴⚒🇨🇦
We’ll have you signed up soon Ron.
That’s for sure Don .
The engine room shot was a nice surprise :)
The Go Pro can’t be beaten for images but the sound is hopeless. The little soundbite is just something a bit different because I know many like sound but it is a high fidelity stereo recording taken with a different camera. It was actually done from just outside the internal cab door and not in the engine room.
@@doncoffey5820 thanks for replying, like your videos :)
Didnt realise Eddie Stobart was as big as that...100`s of trailers and wagons...and his warehouses are huge. worth a few bob considering he started with sweet F A .......when I was 19 worked for Wincanton \ Frigidaire,we did long weekend nights ( fri sat sun mon ) installing air conditioning at Halewood...in the offices that were being extended..me and 4 of our firm and about 25 other contractors..earned a few quid that week...back in late 80`s
Russel Morgan - as I live and breath!!! Eddie Stobart is big into distribution of all sorts. The old chap dies some years ago and I knew his son Edward that built it up to what it is now (with his brother). We used to go to meetings together when I was in the truck industry but unfortunately Edward died at an early age too.
Excellent video as always. Greetings from Canada.
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.
That CAT C175 purring sounds just like the ALP-45DP’s twin 3512C HD engines! Well, the muffled version does. I’ve never heard an ALP-45DP’s engines from inside the locomotive.
I might get some more footage soon.
Marvellous vid Don, very informative and a pleasure to watch.
Best regards IAN
Glad yo enjoyed it Ian. The instructor I was with could make it talk.
At 0:18 that hum...love it!
Came back from Crewe Sunday one night back in the 1980,s i was out chasing class 85,s ...i was waiting for the ( i think it was a Birmingham to Carlisle ) you sometimes got a Class 85 working it ...this night a 87 working it and we got diverted via Hartford Junction back on to the WCML ...
Wow, what that was really interesting !!! Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)
Class 68.. First Time for me.. The longest straight track is in Australia, 100 / 200 miles long.. Thanks..
Our country would get misplaced in the outback Tim 😉👍
I really enjoyed watching this video
HOLLY CRAP ... An APT-E 01:20
Nice video ..So good to see locomotive hauled trains again...
Yes, the one and only I think Arsene!
Train-Sim is getting very good these days!
Thanks don another fine video cheers bob from sydney.
Thanks Bob. Appreciate it.
Great video!.... Looks (and sounds) like Caterpillar 3512 or 3516 power in that shot at the 8:45 - 9:03 mark.
Caterpillar C-175 16 about 5.3 litre per cylinder. Also comes as V-20 spec as well up to 5300 HP.
Remember watchng the ATP come past AP Comercials in Garstang under its own power only to be dragged back to Preston behind a Diesl loco after yet another breakdown as the tlting system failed agan and again yet the Italians were able to solved the problem and now we have the pedilinos
Not enough testing unfortunately and rushed into use before it was really ready.
Sorry Don, forgot to say thank you for a great trip.
Lovely and I do not think I have seen a ride in this class of locomotive before - a real treat ! A ride in a thunder or snowstorm would be really awesome !!!! Regards, Dana.
I can help you with fog and heavy rain but that will be in the new year now. I’ve got the footage but no time to produce it.
No time to produce??? - Are you sure?? ;-)
No time Ad. Always working!
Brilliant & like everyone else yes the APT👍🇬🇧
Thanks very much for uploading, enjoyed it.
Fantastic video!
Merry Christmas mate have a fab day and a fab new year
Same to you thanks.
sounds are amazing
Yes, it’s an HD stereo soundtrack so the better your audio equipment, the better it will sound.
Another great video, thank you.
Wish we could see the whole dashboard and the driver. Thanks for sharing though.
I’m afraid that won’t happen with my videos as it’s one of the conditions of sharing imposed by my company. It’s their choice so I’m not going against them 👍
Great to see the APT at Crewe.
It’s a pity there isn’t a Blue Pullman standing beside it Ian. Thankful for small mercies eh ;-)
@@doncoffey5820 True. Would be great to see one. Is anybody planning on preserving a full IC125 set? At least one ought to be saved.
I’m sure that will happen Ian. Thery’re about as iconic as they come.
Great video
Awesome trip, Don. The enhanced sounds, especially as power is demanded from the fantastic engines and then lowered, ARE the ‘background music’ of the video and videographers who add unrelated music need to be ignored, in my view.What most viewers want, I believe, is what you give us, a REALexperience. Thanks again. What is Wavertree Junction, just a parking area ?
Thanks James. I know that on the odd occasion where I’ve posted without sound it isn’t as well received and I totally get that. Using Wavertree Junction is unusual but brought about by a matter of convenience. Transpennine Express need to train a large number of drivers on them and there are no “paths” available over the Pennines where they will be used. For that reason, they were given slots on the WCML and as sending them into Lime St to change ends and go back would cause more disruption so that little spur at Wavertree Junction was ideal.
I loved the caption at 35:58 . Without it I'd never have known. Who else was singing as we passed under the bridge? :-)
I know, every time I go under it gets me. All I can hear is the fire engine being kept clean!
@@doncoffey5820 Here we go.... enjoy! th-cam.com/video/QjvzCTqkBDQ/w-d-xo.html
So on deceleration they switch circuits into deceleration mode, similar to changing into a lower gear and using the engine to brake (as wells the resistors here) hence the engine is speeding up?
Would make sense and save fuel as well. Always wondered when this would be introduced.
Interesting how protective some train companies are about filming though considering all those airlines allowing even pilots explaining cockpit controls.
But nice intro of this machine!
Thats exactly right about the braking mode. It keeps the brakes cooler for harder braking.
I could probably post some stills inside the cab but I’ve been very lucky that TransPennine Express have allowed be to share the footage. Rather than cross a line I’ll play it safe.
That’s well engineered!
Anyone wants to see the cockpit of this great train, try this website : www.railway-centre.com/class-68.html. You will then understand why I use the word 'cockpit' - no spite Don, but that puts your security comment out on a very big limb. Sorry for that statement. Ab Fab video though - love watching them all. Thanks
I’ve reviewed my conditions of filming and in fact I could have shown a picture but I’m not allowed to film it being driven. Whatever anybody else does is irrelevant as I’m bound by those rules. I’m lucky they allow me to share them.
great video Don, very good cabview videos, big like from Me!
Glad you enjoyed it Theo.
Love your videos.... and have a question about the track system. Every so often (a Mile or KM?) the train passes over a sensor sitting in the middle of the track, and a chime is heard in the cab. Is that some kind of RFID tracker to report position or speed of the train?
If you notice, that sensor (AWS magnet) is on the approach to signals and speed restrictions. Its a magnet with switchable poles that the train passes over. When not energised (fail safe) it causes the buzzer that warns the driver to pay attention to a speed restriction, a signal at caution or at danger. When energised, it reverses the pole and it causes the ding which basically means, all well, no action needed.
At 16 mins you say the flashing yellows mean the driver knows he will have a proceed aspect at the junction. Presumably that was changed after the Norton bridge crash in the 80s when a driver assumed that and wasn't ready to stop at a red which followed the flashing yellows?
No, it was always so but the driver at Norton Bridge misunderstood the rules. You can still get a red immediately after a junction.
The 68 is abit of an odjob loco but it's growing on me :)
its a shame it has not room for a transformer and Pantograph , then it would not need the Diesel engine when under the wires
@@tomskupham that would be the Class 88 dml....
I saw one of these moves once, I can’t remember the headcode but I knew it begin with a 3
I thought they were Class 0 but you might be right Jimbob.
Love your videos
Enjoyed
Amazing, thanks for uploading this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
most of the over head dates from the BR days of electification if im not mistaken
Electrification took place around 1960-62 in this area.
Been over the line from Crewe so many times but never with this view. The sequence of tracks at Hartford Junction is Down Fast, Down Slow, Up Fast, Up Slow.
It is. I did change it but Imovie is awkward to work with and undoes editing if not very careful. I knew as soon as I’d uploaded it but without taking down I couldn’t edit it.
Nice that’s the new train
Blimey these things are quiet in the cab! You'd never know how may thousand HP were sat behind you.
Fairly quiet Ben although you know it is there! Its a very modern loco and thankfully, noise fatigue is taken into consideration.
@@doncoffey5820 maybe it's the location of the mic and the way I was listening too, but I was suprised by the quietness. From a driver's perspective, not having to put up with a cacophony must certainly reduce fatigue and potential hearing loss compared to some of the earlier motive power!
what a stright rail
Finding your videos great watching. I am a 77yo ex-trainspotter and have watched most of your videos. Interesting to see the old steam sheds such as Crewe North, Edge Hill, Upperby, Kingmoor, Neville Hill, Patricroft,Longsight etc etc. I would be fascinated to see a Tamworth to Crewe cab view especially the new Norton Bridge section. Any chance of that Don? Keep up the good work
Its on the cards Peter but the plans are a bit unknown now. It will come right one day.
Thanks for this.
Hi! Any idea when you might publish another very enjoyable video ? Best regards, Dana
I’ve had to take a little break due to other commitments but I would imagine the next video will be week commencing the 13th Jan. I’ve already got some footage that needs editing but I’ll be redoing some of the older videos to include captions. These will be shot in Ultra HD so keep watching! I think due to the popularity, the return journey in the Class 68 loco will be next.
@@doncoffey5820 That is absolutely great news !!! I will be looking forward to you following videos - thanks for sharing those !!! (Don't forget my ideas of heavy rainstorms, or thunderstorms) Best regards, Dana.
Mistyped your (you)
I won’t forget! Just getting through some of the main routes first. Thanks for the feedback.
Lovely video, do enjoy the 68 and will be overjoyed to travel on it with TPE next year. One question... why have that Alstom Facility at Ditton if Edge Hill Depot is just up the road?
The depot at Edge Hill does servicing and light repairs but that facility at Ditton can do major re-fits and painting. You can get a full set out of the weather and in fact the one in the video has fresh paint on it.
Don Coffey That does make sense!
At 27:22 a reference is made to a security problem if you show the controls of the loco you are in. Why is that, I would have thought that a control panel is a control panel?
Perhaps I worded it wrong Richard. I’m not allowed to show the panel being used. It was a condition of being permitted to film.