Class 69 on the rails.

[pre65]

I saw a short YouTube video of the first class 69 diesel on the move, albeit being towed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qpjx4X6J4


Seems these are rebuilt and re-engined class 56, and this article gives details of the conversion and some history.

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fl...ject-explained

[Beeyar Wunby]

Thanks Philip.

Originally Posted by Railmagazine"

He explained: “The cooler group is proven from an EMD GT42AC locomotive, the alternator is from a one-metre GP40 locomotive, and the electrical cubicle was specifically designed for the Class 69 project to fit within the Class 56 bodyshell.

“The cab inside is all new - the Brush controls have gone and it’s much more similar now to a ‘66’. We have kept the curved Class 47-style desk, but other than that it’s very Americanised. The front end has been redesigned and all the draughts have now gone."

So it's a stealth EMD in a UK bodyshell. And the blighters have even removed the defining quality of British locos - they've stopped the draught. Is nothing sacred? Real Train Drivers freeze to death whilst wrapped in bin bags. It's part of the job!

Seriously though, it's not surprising they're rebuilding these. Nice to see the old bangers are still with us.

Cheers, John

[pre65]

69001 on test at the Severn Valley Railway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdSC...L&index=2&t=1s

[TRP]

From the Rail Magazine article:

"Once in traffic, the locomotives will be used on general purpose duties rather than being dedicated to any particular flow, although it’s likely they will be based in one part of the country for ease of maintenance and driver knowledge. Tiller declined to comment where."

The latest Railway Magazine reports that the class 69s will start work in the summer, initially based at Tonbridge.

Tony

[pre65]

69002 is on the way to Eastleigh to be painted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcY-AJqHiI

[pre65]

Testing at the Severn Valley Railway has finished for Class 56-convert Class 69 69001 and GB Railfreight has said what is next for the “new” locomotives.

A number of tests were completed on the Severn Valley Railway, including light and loaded test runs using SVR wagons.

GB Railfreight has said that 69002 is currently at Eastleigh Arlington for painting, and is scheduled to move back to Longport EMD in Mid-April.

69001 is currently awaiting a move from Longport EMD to Eastleigh Arlington, and this is scheduled to occur sometime in Mid April.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/03...eid=aa4ee9b801





*

[John Hunt]

Will be interesting to see how far the conversion program goes - still six 56s allocated to Leicester TMD and nine to Nottm Eastcroft. (56006 & 097 are preserved, 56078 & 303 future uncertain)

New identity / Converted from

69001 56031
69002 56311
69003 56018
69004 56069
69005 56007
69006 56128
69007 56037
69008 56038
69009 56065
69010 56060

Leaves the survivors :-
56006 is at Bury
56032 & 077 are at Longport (donors for conversions)
56049, 051, 087, 090, 094, 096, 105, 113, 302 are based at Nottm Eastcroft
56078 is at Millerhill
56081, 091, 098, 103, 104, 106 (donor for convs), 301, 312 are based at Leicester
56097 is at Ruddington
56303 is at Willesden

[pre65]

Short video (shot today) showing 69002 in it's new livery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NboW5dOZDu4

[TRP]

A report from Railadvent today shows a photo of 69002 in it's new livery. 69001 will also be receiving a special (different) livery and is due to be named at the end of May. 69001 and/or 69002 will then enter service, working their first trains in June 2021.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/05...is-coming.html

Tony

[pre65]

Class 69 69001 "Mayflower" at Tonbridge moving under it's own power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qznqjPe3vx8