| British Rail Class 768 | |
|---|---|
.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 name | BR Second Generation (Mark 3) |
| Constructed | 2020 - (as 768) 1987 - 1988, 1990 (as 319) |
| Number under construction | 8 units |
| Number built | 2 units |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | 768001 - 768010 |
| Owners | Porterbrook |
| Operators | Rail Operations Group |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)[1] |
| Height | 3.58 m (11 ft 9 in)[1] |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| Prime mover(s) | MAN D2876 (one per two cars) |
| Engine type | 12.8-litreturbo-diesel |
| Cylinder count | 6 |
| Power output | 523 hp (390 kW) per engine |
| Transmission | original traction motors via ABB alternator |
| Electric system(s) | |
| Current collection |
|
| Coupling system | Tightlock |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge |
TheBritish Rail Class 768 is a class ofbi-mode multiple unit being converted fromClass 319 passenger trains byBrush Traction andWabtec to carry parcels.
In December 2018,Rail Operations Group (ROG) ordered twoClass 769s that were in the process of being developed byBrush Traction from redundantClass 319s, owned byrolling 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 fromLondon Liverpool Street toLondon Gateway.[3][4]
In February 2020, a further three were ordered to allow services to be introduced theMidlands to Scotland via theWest 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 byWabtec atDoncaster Works. They then move toEastleigh Works where Arlington Fleet Services fit out the interiors and fitroller 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 fromLondon Euston took place on 7 July 2021.[2][7]
| Number | Rebuilt from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 768001[8] | 319010[8] | originally numbered 769501[6] |
| 768002 | 319009[9] | originally numbered 769502 |
| 768003 | ||
| 768004 | ||
| 768005 | ||
| 768006 | ||
| 768007 | ||
| 768008 | ||
| 768009 | ||
| 768010 |
Media related toBritish Rail Class 319/0 at Wikimedia Commons