CLASS 68 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES
Delivery to DRS of the Vossloh/Stadler Spanish-built class 68 diesel locomotives commenced in 2012 and Nos.68010 to 68015 were painted in the attractive silver livery of Chiltern Trains for use on passenger trains from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill.
Some trains start and finish at Kidderminster and servicing is undertaken at Stourbridge where complete trains are stabled and serviced.
Class 68 diesel locomotive No.68014 stabled at Stourbridge on Saturday 9th April 2016. Photograph talen by Andrew Smith.
On 6th April 2016 this video shows No.68014 returning the empty stock of the 16.15 train from London Marylebone to Kidderminster (train code 1k45) to Stourbridge for servicing. Video taken by Andrew Smith.
On Sunday class 67 diesel locomotives Nos.68005 and 68001 with train code No.1Z16 - 12.18 from Reading Triangle sidings to Derby RTC. Photographs taken by Steve Widdowson.
Realtimetrains showed that the Network Rail measurement train
due through Malvern on 27th September 2016 where it was shown as an HST. In the event it turned out to be the first ever visit of class 68 diesel locomotives to Malvern using Nos.68021 and 68016 The sun threatened to shine so Robert Pritchard went to Lower Howsell to get the approaching train coming out
of the light.
The Bridgwater to Crewe nuclear train on 27th July 2017 consisted of two flasks and traction was provided by class 68 diesel locomotives Nos.68030 and 68018. Photograph taken by Steve Widdowson at Bredicot.
Almost certainly the first class 68 diesel locomotive to use the Costwold line was No.68026 which top and tailed with class 66 diesel No.66422 on a working to Long Marston on 3rd August 2020. The return working to Stowmarket (train code No.6Z68) left Long Marston at 13.30. Steve Widdowson photographed it on the single track section at Wyre, near Pershore.
