CLASS 68s and Mk.5As will remain leased by TransPennine Express (TPE) until the end of May 2024, however the plan remains for them to not be in traffic from the new December timetable.
TPE was nationalised on May 28, joining the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort (DoHL) portfolio. A subsequent deep dive into the business to identify ways in which the operator can be improved decided that removing the locomotive-hauled trains from traffic is the best option. This is based on the backlog of training and availability of competent staff. Although the operator has 13 rakes of five coaches, TPE only ever has a maximum of six sets available, but there can often be only two in use per day.
The trains (66 coaches and 14 Class 68s) cost £37 million per year to lease (330), and TPE managing director Chris Jackson told at a media briefing on October 18, that the trains would be stored at various locations until their lease expired. He said that TPE is “determining their future use,” but reiterated that the plan was for them to leave the operator. Already four locomotives, Nos. 68019-021/031, have returned to the XHTP).
