British Rail Class 768

Last updated

British Rail Class 768
319010 Sevenoaks to West Hampstead Thameslink 2E57 (16311020556).jpg
319010 was the donor unit for 768001
Manufacturer BREL (as 319)
Brush Traction (as 768)
Built at York Carriage Works (as 319)
Loughborough (as 768)
Family nameBR Second Generation (Mark 3)
Constructed2020 - (as 768)
1987 - 1988, 1990 (as 319)
Number under construction8 units
Number built2 units
Formation4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers768001 - 768010
Owner(s) Porterbrook
Operator(s) Rail Operations Group
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length
  • 19.83 m (65 ft 1 in) (DTCO, DTSO)
  • 19.92 m (65 ft 4 in) (MSO, TSOL) [1]
Width2.82 m (9 ft 3 in) [1]
Height3.58 m (11 ft 9 in) [1]
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)
Prime mover(s) MAN D2876 (one per two cars)
Engine type12.8-litre turbo-Diesel
Cylinder count6
Power output523 hp (390 kW) per engine
Transmissionoriginal traction motors via ABB alternator
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)
Coupling system Tightlock
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 768 is a class of bi-mode multiple unit being converted from Class 319 passenger trains by Brush Traction and Wabtec to carry parcels.

Contents

History

In December 2018, Rail Operations Group (ROG) ordered two Class 769s that were in the process of being developed by Brush Traction from redundant Class 319s, owned by rolling stock company (ROSCO) Porterbrook. [2] However unlike the Class 769s that remained as passenger trains, ROG's Orion High Speed Trains subsidiary intends to operate them as parcel carriers from London Liverpool Street to London Gateway. [3] [4]

In February 2020, a further three were ordered to allow services to be introduced the Midlands to Scotland via the West Coast Main Line. [5] A further five has since been ordered. Originally to be classified as Class 769/5s, they were reclassified as the Class 768 before the first unit was completed. [6]

The first units received their traction conversions at Brush Traction, Loughborough, while the latter examples will be completed by Wabtec at Doncaster Works. They then move to Eastleigh Works where Arlington Fleet Services fit out the interiors and fit roller doors to carry pallets, bulk items and parcel cages. [6]

The units will operate in fixed formations of four (capable of running in multiples) at up to 100 mph. Unlike conventional rail freight, this provides direct access to city centres, with onward distribution from stations to be by van or bicycle courier. A demonstration from London Euston took place on 7 July 2021. [2] [7]

Fleet list

NumberRebuilt fromNotes
768001319010originally numbered 769501 [6]
768002319009 [8] originally numbered 769502
768003
768004
768005
768006
768007
768008
768009
768010

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 57</span> Class of diesel-electric locomotives

The British Rail Class 57 is a type of diesel locomotive that was remanufactured from Class 47s by Brush Traction of Loughborough between 1998 and 2004.

Porterbrook is a British rolling stock company (ROSCO), created as part of the privatisation of British Rail. Together with Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group, it is one of the three original ROSCOs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 360</span> British electric passenger train

The British Rail Class 360 Desiro is an electric multiple-unit class that was built by Siemens Transportation Systems between 2002 and 2005. The Class 360 is currently operated by East Midlands Railway and the Global Centre of Rail Excellence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 460</span> Class of British electric multiple-unit trains built in 1999-2001

The British Rail Class 460 (8-GAT) was a class of electric multiple-unit passenger trains built by Alstom at Washwood Heath between 1999 and 2001. They were part of Alstom's Juniper family, which also includes Classes 334 and 458.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterCity 225</span> British train

The InterCity 225 is an electric high speed train in the United Kingdom, comprising a Class 91 electric locomotive, nine Mark 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer (DVT). The Class 91 locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Crewe Works as a spin-off from the Advanced Passenger Train project, which was abandoned during the 1980s, whilst the coaches and DVT were constructed by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham and Breda in Italy, again borrowing heavily from the Advanced Passenger Train. The trains were designed to operate at up to 140 mph (225 km/h) in regular service, but are limited to 125 mph (200 km/h) principally due to a lack of cab signalling and the limitations of the current overhead line equipment. They were introduced into service between 1989 and 1991 for intercity services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from London King's Cross to Leeds, York and Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 458</span> Class of British electric multiple unit trains built in 1998–2002

The British Rail Class 458 (5-JUP) is a class of electric multiple unit passenger trains of the Alstom Coradia Juniper family, built at Washwood Heath between 1998 and 2002 for South West Trains. The order for the original fleet of 30 four-car trains was placed in 1997, and delivery of the first unit followed in October 1998. The fleet entered passenger service between 2000 and 2003 and is maintained at Wimbledon depot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 323</span> British electric passenger trains

The British Rail Class 323 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by Hunslet Transportation Projects and Holec. All 43 units were built from 1992 through to 1995, although mock-ups and prototypes were built and tested in 1990 and 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 321</span> British electric multiple unit

The British Rail Class 321 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's York Carriage Works in three batches between 1988 and 1991 for Network SouthEast and Regional Railways. The class uses alternating current (AC) overhead electrification. The design was successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 350</span> British electric passenger train

The British Rail Class 350 Desiro is a class of electric multiple-unit built by Siemens Transportation Systems to its Desiro design between 2004 and 2014. All 87 are now operated by West Midlands Trains, having previously been operated by Central Trains, Silverlink, Southern, London Midland, First TransPennine Express and TransPennine Express (FirstGroup).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 43 (HST)</span> British high speed diesel locomotive

The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (formerly Classes 253 and 254) diesel-electric power cars, built by British Rail Engineering Limited from 1975 to 1982, and in service in the UK since 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 319</span> British electric passenger train

The British Rail Class 319 is an electric multiple unit passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for use on north–south cross-London services. These dual-voltage trains are capable of operating on 25 kV 50 Hz from AC overhead wires or 750 V DC from a third rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 168</span> British diesel multiple-unit passenger train

The Class 168Clubman is a British diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger train used on Chiltern Line services between London Marylebone and the West Midlands. The trains were built by Adtranz at the Derby Litchurch Lane Works in several batches from 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electro-diesel multiple unit</span> Hybrid overhead line-/fossil fuel engine-powered passenger train

An electro-diesel multiple unit (EDMU) or bi-mode multiple unit (BMU) is a form of a multiple unit that can be powered either by electric power picked up from the overhead lines or third rail or by using an onboard diesel engine, driving an electric generator, which produces AC or DC electric power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 769</span> Multi-mode multiple unit train

The British Rail Class 769 Flex is a class of bi-mode multiple unit (BMU) converted by Brush Traction, and running in service with Northern Trains. The train is a conversion of the existing Class 319 electric multiple unit (EMU), a conventional unit type which had become surplus to requirements during the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail Operations Group</span>

Rail Operations Group (ROG) specialises in ad-hoc movement of rolling stock for rolling stock companies and train operating companies as well as locomotive spot hire services and the operation of charter trains. It has its headquarters and main offices based in Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KeolisAmey Wales</span> Former train operating company in Wales & England

Keolis Amey Operations, trading as Transport for Wales Rail Services was a Welsh train operating company owned by Keolis (60%) and Amey (40%) that operated the Wales & Borders franchise between October 2018 and February 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 93 (Stadler)</span> British railway locomotive

The British Rail Class 93 is a tri-mode locomotive being built by Stadler Rail in Valencia. They will be an evolution of the Class 88 bi-mode locomotives which were built by Stadler for Direct Rail Services. Three different power sources will be used to power the locomotive – 4,000 kW (5,400 hp) 25 kV AC overhead electric power, or a 900 kW (1,200 hp) diesel engine supplemented by a 400 kW (540 hp) battery – allowing the locomotive to be used on both electrified and non-electrified lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 799</span> Class of hydrogen-powered multiple unit train

The British Rail Class 799 HydroFLEX is a prototype class of bi-mode multiple unit adapted from Class 319 electric multiple units (319001/382). The existing 25 kV AC and 750 V DC equipment has been retained with a hydrogen fuel cell added, currently taking up one of the carriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 810</span> Hitachi bi-mode train

The British Rail Class 810 Aurora is a type of bi-mode multiple unit being constructed by Hitachi Rail for East Midlands Railway. Based on the Hitachi AT300 design, 33 five-car units will replace Class 222 units on EMR's intercity routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 805</span> Hitachi bi-mode train

The British Rail Class 805 AT300 is a type of bi-mode multiple unit which is being built by Hitachi Rail for Avanti West Coast. Based on the Hitachi A-train design, 13 five-car units are being built to replace Class 221s on services between London Euston and stations on the North Wales Coast and Shrewsbury lines. Their introduction will allow the elimination of long-distance diesel working on electrified routes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Class 319 Electric Multiple Unit" (PDF) (1) (A ed.). Porterbrook. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2014.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. 1 2 Cuenca, Oliver (23 February 2021). "Rail Operations UK to launch Orion logistics service in April". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Faster rolling stock identified as key to shifting logistics traffic onto rail". Rail Magazine . No. 868. Bauer Media Group. 19 December 2018. p. 8.
  4. ↑ "Bi-modes for ROG postal trains". Rail Express . No. 273. February 2019. p. 13.
  5. ↑ "ROG targets extra Flexs for logistics traffic". Rail Magazine . No. 899. February 2020. p. 28.
  6. 1 2 3 "Anglo-Scottish Debut for Orion". Modern Railways . No. 875. August 2021. p. 21.
  7. ↑ Streeter, Tony (28 July 2021). "Orion's parcels multiple unit shown off at Euston". Rail Magazine . No. 936. Bauer Media Group. pp. 8–9.
  8. ↑ "Orion Trial in Euston Station". 7 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.