68's and Mark II's Hired in by Abellio Greater Anglia

Abellio Greater Anglia have hired in 2 Class 68 locos and 3 Mark II coaches to form a second short set. They will cover for the badly damaged 170204 which received significant damage in an accident with a tractor at a level crossing in Thetford a few months ago.
The locos are 68016 and 68023, the coaches are air-conditioned ex Anglian coaches still in Anglian livery. The set is owned by Riviera Trains hired by DRS, and in turn hired to Abelio Greater Anglia until the current franchise expires in October.
Steve W visited Haddiscoe to see the locos and carriages operating on training runs before they commence service. See the full report on his website at http://busandtrain.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/second-anglian-short-set-arrives.html

The locomotives, made by Vossloh España designated as Class 68 in the UK, combine very low axle loads of less than 20 tons with high power and high speed. Fitted with an 2800 kW diesel engine, the UKLIGHT as the model is known, is able to reach speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph).
Class 68's are currently hired to Chiltern Railways and and ScotRail for loco hauled passenger services.
Thirteen locos will be hired to TransPennine Express from early in 2018 to haul the new coaching stock recently ordered from CAF. The thirteen sets of five-car locomotive-hauled coaches will be financed by Beacon Rail Leasing.
The loco-hauled sets will enter service on the route connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, where they will replace Class 185 DMUs.