British Rail Class 69

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British Rail Class 69
69001 at Tonbridge West Yard
The Class 69s are converted from Class 56s. 69001 is seen here at Tonbridge West Yard, with its commemorative flags and speed whisker.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderElectroputere
Doncaster Works
Crewe Works
Build date1976–1984 (as Class 56)
RebuilderProgress Rail, Longport
Rebuild date2020–
Number rebuilt10 (ordered)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo'Co'
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Length63 ft 6 in (19.35 m)
Width9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Height12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity5,200 litres (1,140 imp gal; 1,370 US gal)[1]
Prime moverEMD 12N-710G3B-EC-T2 two-stroke diesel[1]
MU workingAAR system (Classes 59, 66, 67, 69 and 73/9)
Train heatingNone
Loco brakeAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 mph (129 km/h)
Power output3,200 bhp (2,390 kW)[1]
Career
OperatorsGB Railfreight
Numbers69001–69010
Axle load classRoute availability 7[1]

The British Rail Class 69 is a class of diesel locomotives which are converted from Class 56 locomotives.

Background[]

In June 2018, GB Railfreight purchased 16 Class 56 locomotives from UK Rail Leasing, many of which had been out of use for a number of years.[2][3] Additionally, 56106 was acquired in an incomplete state as a source of spares and 56128 from metal recycler CF Booth.

In April 2019, GB Railfreight announced that the locomotives would be rebuilt as Class 69s by Progress Rail, with the existing Ruston-Paxman RK3 engine replaced by an EMD 710 12 cylinder powerplant, with updated electronic controls based on those used in the Class 66 also due to be installed.[4] The fuel capacity will be 5,200 litres (1,140 imp gal; 1,370 US gal) and the route availability remains at 7.[5][6][7]

Four locomotives have been rebuilt, with six more planned, and an option for a further six.[8] GBRF stated that a complete rebuild and re-engine of each locomotive would be cheaper than buying brand new locomotives and shipping them in from abroad.[9] 69001 was trialled on the Severn Valley Railway in February 2021 prior to painting at Eastleigh in June 2021.[10]

Rebuilding[]

The new engine is an EMD 12N-710G3B-T2 as fitted to Class 66 locomotives numbers 66752-66779, which is stage IIIa emission-compliant. The original underframe, bogies, traction motors and brake system have been retained and overhauled. New compressors, blower motors and electronic cubicles have been fitted. The AAR multiple unit system has been used.[11]

Fleet details[]

Class Operator Number Year Built Loco nos Notes
Class 69 GB Railfreight 10 2020- 69001–69010 Converted from Class 56 locomotives

Donor locomotives[]

Number Rebuilt from[8] Original
manufacturer 		Notes
69001 56031 Doncaster Works Liveried in a special variant of the GBRf livery featuring the Union Flag and the flag of the United States, along with DMU style speed whiskers. Named Mayflower.[12]
69002 56311 Doncaster Works Liveried in BR Large Logo Blue. Named Bob Tiller CM&EE at London Waterloo station in July 2021.[13]
69003 56018 Electroputere Liveried in GBRf livery, along with DMU style speed whiskers
69004 56069 Doncaster Works Liveried in RTC livery, similar to 97201 "EXPERIMENT".
69005 56128 Crewe Works Purchased from metal recycler CF Booth originally as a reserve locomotive for the programme[14]
69006 56037 Doncaster Works
69007 56007 Electroputere
69008 56038 Doncaster Works
69009 56065 Doncaster Works
69010 56060 Doncaster Works

Reserve locomotives[]

These locomotives are held in reserve, either to substitute locomotives in the programme due to condition, as a source of spares or for future conversion if the programme is extended. If they are given approval for conversion, the intended numbers as shown alongside.[15]

Proposed no. Number Original
manufacturer 		Notes
69011 56009 Electroputere
69012 56032 Doncaster Works
69013 56081 Doncaster Works
69014 56077 Doncaster Works
69015 56312 Elecroputere
69016 56098 Doncaster Works
N/A 56104 Doncaster Works To be used for spares
N/A 56106 Doncaster Works To be used for spares, missing one cab[16]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "EXCLUSIVE: The GB Railfreight Class 69 project explained". Rail Magazine. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  2. ^ "GBRf buys 16 Class 56s from UK Rail Leasing". The Railway Magazine. No. 1408. July 2018. p. 94.
  3. ^ "GBRf purchases 56s from UK Rail Leasing". Today's Railways UK. No. 200. August 2018. p. 62.
  4. ^ "Progress Rail to repower locomotives for GB Railfreight". International Railway Journal. 3 April 2019.
  5. ^ Clinnick, Richard (2 December 2020). "Class 56s revived, rebuilt, and rebooted as GBRFs Class 69s". Rail. No. 919. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 29. ISSN 0953-4563.
  6. ^ Clinnick, Richard. "GBRf confirms Class 69 conversion". Rail. Bauer Media. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. ^ "GB Railfreight to repower GB Railfreight locomotives". Railway Gazette International. 3 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Class 56 donor locos for Class 69s revealed by GBRf". Railways Illustrated. January 2020. p. 12.
  9. ^ Puddicombe, Daniel (8 May 2019). "GBRF identifies benefits in re-engined Class 56s". Rail Magazine. No. 878. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 33. ISSN 0953-4563.
  10. ^ Harris, Nigel, ed. (24 February 2021). "Rebuilt 69 arrives at Severn Valley Railway for testing". Rail Magazine. No. 925. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 22. ISSN 0953-4563.
  11. ^ Dunn, Pip (June 2019). "GBRf signs for 16 Class 69s". Railways Illustrated. No. 196. p. 10.
  12. ^ Harris, Nigel, ed. (21 June 2021). "New GBRF 69 names as Mayflower". Rail Magazine. No. 934. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 24. ISSN 0953-4563.
  13. ^ "Former Grid No 69002 dedicated to GBRf director Bob Tiller". Rail Express. No. 304. September 2021. p. 28.
  14. ^ Bulmer, Keith (8 September 2019). "56128- update- Class 56 Group predicts the future!". The Class 56 Group.
  15. ^ Clinnick, Richard (2 December 2020). "Class 56s revived, rebuilt, and rebooted as GBRFs Class 69s". Rail Magazine. No. 919. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 28. ISSN 0953-4563.
  16. ^ Pritchard, Robert (June 2019). "More "bodysnatchers": GBRF announces class 56 rebuild project". Today's Railways. No. 210. Sheffield: Platform 5. p. 60. ISSN 1475-9713.

External links[]

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