More Class 68's arrive into the UK.

In the not too recent past, Class 68, 68002 arrived into the UK, before sneaking up to Carlisle Kingmoor depot on the back of a low loader, This 68 then began testing, working with class 90, 90020 and several Direct Rail Services Coaches. This worked to test the 68 in several ways. Recently however, The Locomotive was dragged down to Eastleigh works,  And is expected to be dragged back up on the 22nd of April and Making it's Debut on a railtour, occouring on the same day as the Gresty Bridge open day.

On the 15th April 2014, More class 68's arrived into the UK, This time at Seaforth, Liverpool. They then late moved to Crewe Gresty Bridge the morning of the 16th.

68003 at Crewe Salop Goods Jn.

68004 at Crewe Salop Goods Jn.

68005 at Crewe Salop Goods Jn.

All of the Locomotives have names, they are as follows:

68002 - Intrepid

68003 - Astute

68004 - Rapid

68005 - Defiant.

It is understood that 68010-68015 will Lease to Chiltern Railways for their Mainline service between Birmingham Moor Street/Kidderminster - London Marlybone via Banbury, currently operated by Class 67's and Class 168 DMU's 

168004, One of the 168/0s that Operate the Mainline service, This unit
has been refurbed, as well as some of the 168/2's that run the service
with them.

DB Shenker 67010 operating one of few "Silver Set" mainline
services at Birmingham Moor Street, This locomotive is in
Wrexham and Shropshire livery which used to run between
Wrexham, and London.

As well as operating these Passenger services, the locomotives will also run on various intermodal freight operations that DRS operate.

Excitement to Exeter!

...or should I say for those who use the railway as a lifeline for their commute; an end to the inconvenience of having to use a rail replacement bus, as well as two trains! Friday 4th April saw the opening of the Dawlish Sea Wall, much to the relief of punters. The first train to use the stretch, for the first time in 2 months while major repairs were taking place, was First Great Western 'Pacer' unit 143611, which unfortunately failed at Newton Abbot. I did go for a trip up to Exeter that afternoon, with 143620 + 143618 + 150128 as my traction up, and a nice HST and 143603 on the return. Of course, I took the opportunity to 'window hang' on the return journey to see exactly what had been done etc. The wall itself has been rebuilt in the damaged sections, however most the walkway is not currently open, and it doesn't look like it will be for a rather long time! The shipping containers that were placed there as a temporary measure still remain in place, though they are very battered.

Dawlish Station has bunting, and flags up to celebrate the re-opening, while free cakes were handed out during the Friday morning on HST services!

Although I, and everyone else is pleased that the railway line is back in use, It would be a lie if I sat here and said that the vast selection of coaches on the rail replacement wasn't enjoyed. Coaches from as far afield as Doncaster to transport people between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids.

New Buses for First Sheffield!

First Olive Grove depot in Sheffield has recently got their hands on 21 New Wright Streetlight Vehicles for serving routes 20/20A, 22 and 25 in and around Sheffield. The fleetnumbers and Registrations for these new vehicles are as follows:
63120 SN14 DVO,
63121 SN14 DVP,
63122 SN14 DVR,
63123 SN14 DVT,
63124 SN14 DVU,
63125 SN14 DVY,
63126 SN14 DVW,
63127 SN14 DVX,
63128 SN14 DVY,
63129 SN14Dxx,
63130 SN14 DWC,
63136 SN14Dxx,
63137 SN14 DWL,
63138 SN14 DWM,
63139 SN14 DWO,
63140 SN14 DWP,
63141 SN14 DWU,
63142 SN14 DWV,
63143 SN14 DWW,
63144 SN14 DWX,
63145 SN14 DWY,

Sadly, In return, Olive Grove depot has had to loose buses in the area, and these are the T-MAK Registered Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles.

T833 MAK, A Volvo B10BLE to be replaced

T831 MAK, Another B10BLE to be Replaced

Thanks to Georges Transport Photo's on Facebook for the Photo's and Information!

Welcome!

From the South, To the North, The East to the West. The UK Transport Blog will cover all areas, blogging about transportation across the UK. UKTB is a joint blog between Kameron Allan , in Devon (also runs South West Transport News blog) and Elliott Farrell who's in Cheshire.  The aim is to provide an overview of Fleet Changes ,across the buses and railways, as well as trip reviews , forthcoming enthusiast trips and photos of various buses , trains and related items. Any news/information is welcome from anyone, anywhere just email us at allankey@icloud.com or drop us a message on Facebook and we will post whatever it is on here and/or the Facebook page. 

We hope you enjoy the blog...