Am I way off beam here but it seems to me that it would not be difficult for Dapol to produce a class 88 locomotive using the class 68 as a basis.  The two prototype classes use the same bodyshell,cab,brakes, bogies,traction equipment and control software. The big difference is the roofline where pantograph and associated electrical equipment would need to be created. Would it not be possible to create a new loco type in model form by just designing a new roof for the 68?
     It may be that a producer could supply a new roof enabling a swap detailing with a 68 to produce an 88 by the modeller.
     Just like the prototype the range of the locomotive would be increased by being able to run the model on non electrified lines swapping from electric to diesel when needed.

     Interestingly the latest RAIL magazine carries brief details of the soon to be developed class 93, also based on the class 68/88, a tri powered locomotive using electric traction in the main but carrying a Caterpillar diesel engine and batteries to operate in hybrid manner. It develops 5361HP in AC mode and 1736 HP in hybrid mode. How locomotive design has moved on.

Hi,

This has been discussed on RMWEB. While the 68 and 88 are superficially the same there are a lot of differences, not just on the roof.
Also it is believed that DRS own the industrial design of the 68/88 and therefore the 93 will have to have a different appearance around the cab.

Regards,

John P

Furthermore it's a class of 10(?) locos which have only ever worn one livery, and have a fairly limited (albeit expanding) geographical spread. As John says there's a long thread on RMWeb about it.

The 93 looks great from the mock-ups. Be interesting to see what the real thing looks like.

It's rather like the two batches of Networkers made by BREL and Metro-Cammell in the 1990s. They both look the same but on closer inspection are in fact totally different in almost every detail.

I believe the 88 is slightly longer than the 68. If someone could come up with a 3D printed body, that would go a long way. I think I know someone who could knock up vinyl sides to make the livery easier

The artists impression of the 93 has a much cleaner and more conventional front end design.

I thought about doing one, but I know someone will at some point and then I'll be annoyed as it'll take bloody ages, and RTR will look much better!

I mentioned the 93 as it is the latest version built on the Eurolight platform as the 68 and 88 are.

I am pretty sure the length of the 68 and 88 are the same as the same body is used.
    I am not a member of RM web so am not privy to the aforementioned discourse. What was the general opinion on the subject ?

You don't need to be, it's here: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/131020-so-how-about-a-class-88-dapol/

General gist: very little that could be re-used, limited fleet size, liveries and geography. Dapol may have the rights, no one's quite sure. It'll probably happen sometime, by someone (which I agree with).

I dont know the full range of operations for them, they do work to the West Country, Bridgwater and Berkley on Flask trains with a 68.
Geoff

Thanks for the link to RM Web     Plenty of discussion for and against.   I think the most accurate observation was from one guy who said " we could debate this till the cows come home " 

I don't know if the dimensions are identical but the body side grilles are definitely different on the 68 and 88.

Cheers Mike

Complete tangent whilst just reading about them, I'd never realised that DRS was publicly owned.

Quote from: njee20 on January 27, 2021, 11:16:18 PM
Complete tangent whilst just reading about them, I'd never realised that DRS was publicly owned.

Yes, spun out of the former BNFL transport division and now part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Cheers M