Abellio Greater Anglia started using Class 68s this morning local trains (July 11).
The locomotives and three Mk 2s are hired from Direct Rail Services. September 30 is when the hire period ends and a review carried out regarding fleet requirements.
Direct Rail Services is supplying two Class 68s, three Mk 2f carriages and drivers to operate a second locomotive hauled train set.
On the first day, 68016 Fearless and 68023 Achilles were used, with 68023 hauling the first train, the 0652 to Great Yarmouth.
DRS already supplies two Class 37/4s and three Mk 2s to GA for Norwich-Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft trains.
The second LHCS will be required until damaged Class 170 (170204) returns to GA. It is expected to be out of traffic for several months.
- For more on this, read RAIL 804, out now.
- For more on this, read RAIL 805, published on July 20.
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Gizzy - 11/07/2016 12:05
Interestingly, the hired in Mk2f stock is still in the old Anglia livery....
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 11/07/2016 18:48
If it's only for hire until September or October if Class 170204 returns which may not be returned because of the extent damage to the front and side of the train that is to be out of service until possibly January or February next year as it collided into a tractor near Thetford in Norfolk back in April.
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Brett MacDonald - 11/07/2016 20:42
I am a long time railfan living in northern California. Since indicating my interest to Google I receive a variety of rail news. This is the first time for railmagazine. My favorite railfanning spot would be the Feather River Canyon. (Ex-WP, now UP) Thank you, Brett
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Melvyn - 11/07/2016 23:33
Perhaps Anglia could follow the example set by TPE in ordering new fleets of coaches and adding locomotives preferably hybrid able to run in both diesel and electric modes thus able to cover full network from say Liverpool Street to Great Yarmouth .
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Gizzy - 12/07/2016 14:14
No new stock for Anglia, not at least until the new franchise is agreed....
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 13/07/2016 00:56
Wouldn't mind seeing Class 185's or Class 230's to be used on all rural lines such as Norwich-Sheringham, Norwich-Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft, Norwich-Peterborough/Cambridge, Ipswich-Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth, Ipswich-Felixstowe and few Class 230's to be used on Marks Tey-Sudbury.
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