In an effort to improve the reliability of the Loco hauled Cumbrian Coast service trains Northern Rail and DRS agreed to replace one of the ageing Class 37/s with the state of the art Vossloh Class 68s exclusive to DRS Because of restrictions on platform length and 'loco stop' boards the decision was taken to take one of the TSO standard coaches out and run the formation as Class 68+ DBSO+TSO+TSO and class 68. The DBSO (Driving, brake standard open driving car) can't be operated by the 68s and visa versa hence the top and tailed Vosslohs. The other difference is that these 68 hauled trains are driven by DRS train crew rather than Northern Rails as they are well versed in handling these ultra modern complex machines. The first day was marred by awful weather and I snatched a couple of stills of the first southbound just after daybreak as it arrived at Sellafield 68 018 'Vigilant' was on the point and 68 017 'Hornet' on the rear. These two locos would haul the Barrow to Carlisle workings for all of the first week. After I finished work I headed to Kirkby in Furness to catch them on the return working. This is a particularly exposed part of the Duddon estuary and the weather had not improved! Hustling South this morning towards Askam the biting cold wind off the fells made photography a bit of an ordeal The wind was still unpleasant later as the northbound working approached 'White Bridge ' near Askam From the picture you'd think this a pleasant pastoral view of Cumbria. The wind howl on the video I shot tells a different story More in a mo Kev
Dalton in Furness, like Askam, is a good place to hear the blended brakein operation as both stops are on a downhill gradient. Most of the braking is dynamic with just a touch of airbrakes for the rolling stock video can be found at current plans are for this service are for it to run until September so if you want to ride behind one get to Cumbria this summer Kev
Great lookin' unit, really like that paint scheme. Can't help notice though, the paint between the headlights looks like an angry cartoon character!
These two photos, wet an seemingly dreary, remind me very much of the Pacific NW USA, where I grew up.
