1st July 2016 Direct Rail Services Class 68s are now spreading their wings around the UK. The 1st July 2016 provided the opportunity to witness the new Class 68s three times in one day. No. 68004 'Rapid' and No. 68020 'Reliance' visited the South West running a Network Rail test train instead of the usual HST which was out of traffic for maintenance. Having already operated the 1Q18 05:25 Old Oak Common to Paignton via Penzance the pair then operated the 1Z18 15:46 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads. The pair of locomotives operated in top and tail formation either end of test coaches (Mk2 977868 - Radio Survey Test Coach, Mk2 5981 - PLPR2 Plain Line Pattern Rail Recognition Coach, Mk2 - 977983 - Electrification Measurement Coach, Mk1 6264 - Generator Van). (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

1st July 2016 Direct Rail Services Class 68s are now spreading their wings around the UK. The 1st July 2016 provided the opportunity to witness the new Class 68s three times in one day. No. 68004 'Rapid' and No. 68020 'Reliance' visited the South West running a Network Rail test train instead of the usual HST which was out of traffic for maintenance. Having already operated the 1Q18 05:25 Old Oak Common to Paignton via Penzance the pair then operated the 1Z18 15:46 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads. The pair of locomotives operated in top and tail formation either end of test coaches (Mk2 977868 - Radio Survey Test Coach, Mk2 5981 - PLPR2 Plain Line Pattern Rail Recognition Coach, Mk2 - 977983 - Electrification Measurement Coach, Mk1 6264 - Generator Van). (Photo: Nathan Williamson)