Friday, 3 January 2020

Fife Circle Loco Hauled, Aberdour, 23rd December 2019


Spotty and Dotty (68006 & 68007) have been poorly of late, currently at Crewe for maintenance, so the services were in the hands of 68005 and 68016, which have both worked the service before. While the assigned coaches are now those with retention toilets, the trains will operate under a derogation into 2020.

A tender has been issued where "The services are required from the December 2020 Passenger Change Data (13/12/20) until December 2021 Passenger Change Date (12/12/21) with an option to extend annually until December 2024." This seems written in a way to require Mk IV coach sets, unless a dmu solution is offered. It is not clear if DRS would intend to bid, as their business focus seems to be changing. We appear to have about 50 more weeks of the current operation.

However the dispensation letter from the DfT in London (note: which government is really in control?), only permits until 31st May. ScotRail's assessment of the stock.

68016 Fearless arrives with 2K14 18:23 Glenrothes - Edinburgh.

6001 was recently reported as having a suspicious fire, but it seems to have made a quick return to traffic.

The following ecs train was led by 68005 which appears to be missing its nameplate.