British Rail Class 69
British Rail Class 69 | |
---|---|
Route Availability 7[2] | |
Current owner | Progress Rail[2] |
The British Rail Class 69 is a class of diesel locomotives which are converted from Class 56 locomotives. The conversion work is performed by Progress Rail at their workshop in Longport.
The Class 69 was developed to fulfil the needs of the rail freight operator GB Railfreight (GBRf), which was unable to purchase additional Class 66 diesel locomotives yet sought more capacity in a similar performance band. The conversion of surplus Class 56s, which were available in sufficient quantity and in good enough condition to make the class a good candidate for the project, proved to be a desirable option, being more affordable than new build locomotives while achieving similar performance to the Class 66 post-conversion. Many of the new systems installed are similar, or identical, to those present on the Class 66, including its EMD 710 powerplant and associated control systems; this was a deliberate choice in order to maximise the performance similarities. Retained elements were refurbished to an as-new condition.
History
Background
During 2000, the rail freight haulage company GB Railfreight (GBRf) obtained its first Class 66 diesel locomotive; determining the type's performance to be ideal to its purposes, procured it in large numbers; by 2021, GBRf's fleet of roughly 130 locomotives was dominated by 99 Class 66s.[5] According to Bob Tiller, GBRf's Engineering Strategy Director, while the Class 66 was affordable and considerably more reliable than its British-built counterparts, the locomotive was effectively unobtainable by the late 2010s due to its non-compliance with the latest National Technical Specification Notices. Thus, while the company sought to continue its growth, its preferred option had become unavailable other than by acquiring second-hand examples.[5]
During the 2010s, it was observed that there were no in-production diesel locomotives available at the time that could deliver the desired performance while also fitting within the UK's restrictive loading gauge.
The company sought out available Class 56s in the hands of other companies.
Project launch
In April 2019, GBRf announced that the locomotives would be rebuilt as Class 69s by Progress Rail at its Longport facility.[5] The rebuild scheme involves the replacement of the original Ruston-Paxman RK3 engine with the EMD 710 powerplant, while newer electronic control systems based on those present on the Class 66 were also installed.[9] Initial work involved the stripping of all removable parts from each locomotive and the overhauling of all those to be retained to an as-new condition. Body repairs, usually to address corrosion, was then performed along with the replacement of all pipework.[5] The body was then subject to various alterations to accommodate the revised air intakes, exhaust (of both the engine itself and the cooler group) and the modified external lighting clusters that conform to contemporary standards. The installation of the new equipment then proceeded.[5]
GBRF stated that the complete rebuild and re-engine of each locomotive is considerably cheaper than purchasing and importing new locomotives from abroad.
The full fleet of seven locomotives was temporarily withdrawn from service in late January 2023 in order to "investigate faults being reported by drivers". GBRf stated that they had "become aware of issues" with the locomotives, and that the period of withdrawal – expected to last for eight weeks – would be used to implement improvements.[14]
Design
The British Rail Class 69 is a rebuild of the earlier Class 56; while the external appearance and many elements were retained, much of the internal systems were replaced with those sourced from the
The most prominent alteration of the rebuild is the adoption of the new engine, the 12 cylinder EMD 12N-710G3B-T2; it is identical to the powerplants installed on some of the later-built Class 66 locomotives (numbers 66752–66779). Capable of producing just under 2,400 kilowatts (3,200 hp), the engine is compliant with EU Stage IIIa off-road emissions standards.[5] Due to the tight space constraints, the engine is bolted directly to the frame without any anti-vibration mounts; instead, the engine is tuned post-installation to avoid resonant vibrations.[5] The fuel capacity is 5,200 litres (1,140 imp gal; 1,370 US gal) while the route availability remains at 7.[15][16][17]
The driver's cabs have also been heavily modernised, the changes include the installation of new measures to reduce the levels of both noise and vibration that the occupants are exposed to.
Throughout the locomotive, various new components and subsystems were installed, such as the compressors, blower motors, and electronic cubicles. The original electronic control system was somewhat basic, frequently being the cause of wheel spins and reduced tractive effort across all three axles on one of the bogies; in its place is the EMD EM2000 control and EMD CP5 drive systems, capable of independently monitoring the speed and load of each axle to maximise available adhesion, reducing the tendency for axle unloading and thus improving the effective tractive effort of the locomotive.[5] The AAR multiple-working system has been installed.[18]
Fleet details
Class | Operator | Qty. | Year converted | Numbers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
69 | GB Railfreight | 16 | 2020–pres. | 69001–69016 | Converted from Class 56 locomotives |
Details of the 16 locomotives are:[19][20]
Number | Rebuilt from | Original manufacturer |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
69001 | 56031 | BREL Doncaster | Painted in a special variant of GBRf's livery featuring the Union Flag and the flag of the United States, along with DMU-style speed whiskers, named Mayflower.[21]
|
69002 | 56311 | BREL Doncaster | Liveried in BR 'large logo' blue, named Bob Tiller CM&EE in July 2021.[22] |
69003 | 56018 | Electroputere | GBRf livery with DMU-style speed whiskers, named The Railway Observer.[23]
|
69004 | 56069 | BREL Doncaster | Railway Technical Centre blue and red livery. |
69005 | 56007 | Electroputere | Liveried in BR green with half-height yellow warning ends, named Eastleigh.[24] |
69006 | 56128 | BREL Crewe | GBRf livery with DMU-style speed whiskers.[25] |
69007 | 56037 | BREL Doncaster | BR Blue livery with GB Railfreight logos, named Richard Trevithick.[26] |
69008 | 56038 | BREL Doncaster | GBRf livery with DMU-style speed whiskers.[27] |
69009 | 56060 | BREL Doncaster | Maroon with White Cabs, as Western Region Class 52[28] |
69010 | 56065 | BREL Doncaster | |
69011 | 56032 | BREL Doncaster | |
69012 | 56077 | BREL Doncaster | |
69013 | 56312 | Electroputere | |
69014 | 56104 | BREL Doncaster | |
69015 | 56009 | Electroputere | |
69016 | 56097 | BREL Doncaster |
European Vehicle Numbers for the fleet are devised by prefixing the domestic locomotive number with type code 92, country code 70, and two leading zeroes; "927000...".[4]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vehicle Diagram Book No. 100 for Main Line Diesel Locomotives (PDF). Derby: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Department, British Railways Board. December 1981. 56-aA (in work p. 113). Retrieved 5 February 2023 – via Barrowmore MRG.
- ^ a b c d e f g Clinnick, Richard (30 December 2020). "Exclusive: The GB Railfreight Class 69 project explained". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ a b Walmsley, Ian (21 January 2021). "Shedding the Grid". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ a b Fletcher, Steven (26 May 2021). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended - Class 69 Sub-system (GBRf Class 69 Repower)" (PDF). Letter to Robert Tiller (GB Railfreight Ltd). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2021/0039. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Dobell, Malcolm (26 August 2021). "56+66=69 (or 56 plus 66 equals 69)". Rail Engineer. Coalville: Rail Media Group. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "GBRf buys 16 Class 56s from UK Rail Leasing". The Railway Magazine. No. 1408. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. July 2018. p. 94.
- ^ "GBRf purchases 56s from UK Rail Leasing". Today's Railways UK. No. 200. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. August 2018. p. 62.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ^ Barrow, Keith (3 April 2019). "Progress Rail to repower class 56 locomotives for GB Railfreight". International Railway Journal. Falmouth: Simmons-Boardman Publishing. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ISSN 1479-2230.
- ^ "News". Class 69 Locomotive Group. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Technical issues cause GBRf to withdraw Class 69s". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ^ Clinnick, Richard. "GBRf confirms Class 69 conversion". Rail Magazine. Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ "GB Railfreight to repower GB Railfreight locomotives". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 3 April 2019.
- ^ Dunn, Pip (June 2019). "GBRf signs for 16 Class 69s". Railways Illustrated. No. 196. Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 10.
- ^ "GBRF Class 69 donor locomotives". Rail Magazine. No. 964. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 24 August 2022. p. 25.
- ^ "Additional Class 69s due for GBRf". The Railway Magazine. 1 August 2022. p. 93. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ^ "Former Grid No 69002 dedicated to GBRf director Bob Tiller". Rail Express. No. 304. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. September 2021. p. 28.
- ^ "Under Observation". Rail Express. No. 317. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. October 2022. p. 9.
- ^ Stubbs, Steve (June 2022). "Brunswick green livery for '69'". Modern Railways. Vol. 79. Stamford: Key Publishing (published 18 May 2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ISSN 1479-2230.
- ^ Barrett, Andrew (10 January 2023). "69007 at Eastleigh". Railway Herald Imaging Centre. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ISSN 1479-2230.
- ^ "Class 69 Liveries". 9 July 2021.
External links
- Tiller, Bob (23 April 2021). A Look at GBRf's Class 69 Modification Project. Young Rail Professionals. Retrieved 21 May 2021 – via YouTube.