GBRF confirms conversion of Class 56s to Class 69s

[Richard Scott]

Looking on google images, the electroputere 060 DA looks to have similarities

I believe the bogies were based on the CFR DA 60s, which I think we're originally a Swiss design.

 

[DGH 1]

I believe the bogies were based on the CFR DA 60s, which I think we're originally a Swiss design.

Hi Richard, the possible swiss origin rings a bell with what i had read years ago, when the class 56's were being constructed. so you could be right.

 

[Richard Scott]

Hi Richard, the possible swiss origin rings a bell with what i had read years ago, when the class 56's were being constructed. so you could be right.

I know slightly veering off topic but think the first few DA 60s were built in Switzerland - possibly someone can confirm?

 

[87015]

I know slightly veering off topic but think the first few DA 60s were built in Switzerland - possibly someone can confirm?

Yes first six IIRC and tested there over Gotthard.

 

[Ash Bridge]

And if not the same thing possibly one of these also?

http://www.locopage.net/osea557.jpg

 

[Richard Scott]

And if not the same thing possibly one of these also?

http://www.locopage.net/osea557.jpg

Weren't those built in Romania?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Weren't those built in Romania?

I believe so, class A560 or LDE4000 I think.

 

[DB]

Are the new bits (power units, cooler group, roof section containing silencer, etc) identical and fully interchangeable with those on a Class 66? From looking at the photos, the roof sections so appear to have the class 66 roof profile.

 

[Richard Scott]

Are the new bits (power units, cooler group, roof section containing silencer, etc) identical and fully interchangeable with those on a Class 66? From looking at the photos, the roof sections so appear to have the class 66 roof profile.

Will they also have engine driven compressors like most GM powered locos or retain originals (like 57s?). Back to Romanian link the GM re-engined DA60s appear to have engine driven compressors the amount of times the unloading valve goes off.

 

[ExRes]

Confirmation on WNXX (subscription section) that 56031 rather than 56311 is to become 69001

 

[ExRes]

Some updated photos on WNXX (subscription section) today, 56031 has replacement structural components in place and the cab ends restyled, new light clusters and new buffers while it no longer has its grid, underside equipment and roofline sections have been fitted with glazing and bodyside grilles to come, 56311 is next and is on refurbished bogies but waiting for the roofline to be done

 

[DB]

Some updated photos on WNXX (subscription section) today, 56031 has replacement structural components in place and the cab ends restyled, new light clusters and new buffers while it no longer has its grid, underside equipment and roofline sections have been fitted with glazing and bodyside grilles to come, 56311 is next and is on refurbished bogies but waiting for the roofline to be done

THe new roof sections do look very similar to those on a Class 66, but difficult to tell for sure whether they are identical.

It also has an AAR multiple working socket in the middle of the yellow panel

 

[XCTurbostar]

THe new roof sections do look very similar to those on a Class 66, but difficult to tell for sure whether they are identical.

It also has an AAR multiple working socket in the middle of the yellow panel

I'm surprised it has a yellow panel at all, especially since it has had new lights. Does it have a top light?

 

[ExRes]

I'm surprised it has a yellow panel at all, especially since it has had new lights. Does it have a top light?

There doesn't seem to be any intention to fit a top light as the loco appears at this time, I find it very unlikely that they would cut a space for it now and, presumably, make changes to the wiring. In their current (non)painted state there is no indication of whether there will be a yellow panel or not

 

[DB]

There doesn't seem to be any intention to fit a top light as the loco appears at this time, I find it very unlikely that they would cut a space for it now and, presumably, make changes to the wiring. In their current (non)painted state there is no indication of whether there will be a yellow panel or not

Looks to have lights in the same places as previously - headlight just below the windscreens, in the centre, and light clusters lower down to either side.

The avoidance of yellow panels seems to be a preocupation of passenger operators - none of the freight operators have bothered with it: DRS has them on the 68s and 88s as part of their livery, despite the yellow technically not being needed (the TPE liveried 68s do not have them)

 

[43096]

Looks to have lights in the same places as previously - headlight just below the windscreens, in the centre, and light clusters lower down to either side.

The avoidance of yellow panels seems to be a preocupation of passenger operators - none of the freight operators have bothered with it: DRS has them on the 68s and 88s as part of their livery, despite the yellow technically not being needed (the TPE liveried 68s do not have them)

The light just below the windscreen is the top marker light, the light clusters lower down include headlights.

 

[furnessvale]

Looks to have lights in the same places as previously - headlight just below the windscreens, in the centre, and light clusters lower down to either side.

The avoidance of yellow panels seems to be a preocupation of passenger operators - none of the freight operators have bothered with it: DRS has them on the 68s and 88s as part of their livery, despite the yellow technically not being needed (the TPE liveried 68s do not have them)

Well done the freight operators!

Given railway preoccupation with safety, I find it amazing that an existing safety device that costs nothing and has no failure mode, has been authorised for removal because a new device has been fitted, especially as this new device DOES have failure modes.

 

[Wyrleybart]

THe new roof sections do look very similar to those on a Class 66, but difficult to tell for sure whether they are identical.

I doubt the roof sections are identical between 66 and 69. One reason is the class 66 superstructure is purely a steel "shed" over the innards, whereas the class 56 bodyshell is stressed skin over a frame. Although the roof section from cantrail height is removal for heavy repairs, it might need to be more rigid.

 

[Phillipimo]

Richard Clinnick

This @GBRailfreight Cl.69 is the first of ten being rebuilt from redundant Cl.56s. This is 69001, previously 56031. I'm told the work is far more in-depth than even the 47/57 conversion project. CLIFF BEETON.

https://twitter.com/Richard_rail/status/1318134134187884547

 

[gg1]

View attachment 84801
Richard Clinnick

https://twitter.com/Richard_rail/status/1318134134187884547

What happened to the 66 on the edge of the shot, looks like fire damage?

 

[221101 Voyager]

View attachment 84801
Richard Clinnick

https://twitter.com/Richard_rail/status/1318134134187884547

Looks great so far, I'm glad a '56' finally has modern lighting!
These will look really good once finished, I hope to see them on the Southern WCML through Milton Keynes soon!

 

[Ash Bridge]

What happened to the 66 on the edge of the shot, looks like fire damage?

Possibly the one involved in the Slochd Summit derailment a decade or so ago?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Heres an image of 56031 from the same angle to compare. Nice to see the new lights have remained in similar positions. https://www.flickr.com/photo

 

[221101 Voyager]

Possibly the one involved in the Slochd Summit derailment a decade or so ago?

Thats 66048 the accident damaged one.

Read 37190 'Dalzell" 's post on Flickr for a detailed explanation of what happened to it here:

Black Sheep?

Seen through the bushes from across the main line, Class 66/0, No. 66048 is seen in the yard of EMD Electro-Motive at Longport. Photographed on the 7th September 2020, the loco had last worn the blue and white Stobart Rail livery and the name "James The Engine". A trawl of the internet found...

www.flickr.com

I would explain here but it's off topic.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Thats 66048 the accident damaged one.

Read 37190 'Dalzell" 's post on Flickr for a detailed explanation of what happened to it here:

Black Sheep?

Seen through the bushes from across the main line, Class 66/0, No. 66048 is seen in the yard of EMD Electro-Motive at Longport. Photographed on the 7th September 2020, the loco had last worn the blue and white Stobart Rail livery and the name "James The Engine". A trawl of the internet found...

www.flickr.com

I would explain here but it's off topic.

How is it so blackened, there was no fire damage in the accident?

EDIT: painted black to obscure the livery according to YouTube comments - understandable

 

[DB]

How is it so blackened, there was no fire damage in the accident??

DB sprayed it! I assume that Stobart didn't want their livery to remain on a wrecked loco, and blasting it with black paint was presumably quicker than stripping off all the vinyls.

 

[37114]

The 69 is starting to have a passing resemblance of a class 60 above the sole bar with the Angular roof and 2 large openings in the body side.

 

[BRX]

I'm interested to know why newer designs often seem to have that faceted shape to the roof, while many older locos (including the original 56s) had a curved profile. I'd have though that the curved profile would be the more difficult to produce - and therefore more likely to be a thing with modern manufacturing technology, rather than the other way around.

 

[pdeaves]

I'm interested to know why newer designs often seem to have that faceted shape to the roof, while many older locos (including the original 56s) had a curved profile. I'd have though that the curved profile would be the more difficult to produce - and therefore more likely to be a thing with modern manufacturing technology, rather than the other way around.

Simplicity, I suspect, where simpler=cheaper. Why spend money on making things above the roof look pretty when hardly anyone will see them?

 

[DB]

Simplicity, I suspect, where simpler=cheaper. Why spend money on making things above the roof look pretty when hardly anyone will see them?

In the case of the 70s, it's clear that no effort went into making any of the loco look pretty!

The 68s and 88s are reasonably well designed in terms of appearance, but it can't really be said that any of the other recent-ish classes show much evidence of this being on the radar.