The Anonymous Widower

Two Nose-To-Nose Turtles

Turtle seems to be becoming the nickname for the new Class 68 locomotives.

Two Nose-To-Nose Turtles

I spotted these two in the sidings alongside the Chiltern Line. There will be a total of twenty-five delivered to the UK in the current order and they will be followed by the Class 88, which is a locomotive than can either use electrical or diesel power.

The purpose of the unusual power arrangement of the Class 88, is so that on a journey say from Felixstowe to Acton, it can use electrical power for most of the journey with short runs using the diesel engine at the start and finish. In passenger duty they could be used on a run like London to Norwich under electrical power and then under diesel power to Great Yarmouth.

The politicians may have dithered over electrification, so engineers have come up with an electric locomotive, that can jump the gaps.

December 22, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Chiltern Railways, Class 68 Locomotive