THE first Class 88 dual-power locos have begun work on revenue-earning freight traffic.
As expected, the locos have taken over the Daventry to Grangemouth Tesco train, the first working taking place on June 12, when No. 88003 worked train 4S43 north while No. 88004 worked the return south, 4M48. A third loco, No. 88002, has also been involved in the initial working, with others being introduced in the next few weeks.
However, as far as can be ascertained, none of the locos have been used on their ‘last-mile’ diesel engine to haul the train from Mossend to Grangemouth, duties being handed over to Class 66s.
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The reason for this is that not all drivers are trained on the class, and manufacturer Vossloh is carrying out small modifications to the fleet.
Overall performance of the locos on the gradients of Shap and Beattock is being assessed.
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