GB Railfreight in 'locomotive acquisition' talks

[BRX]

Colas have lost the Lindsey to Colnbrook BAA fuel tanks to Freightliner who are running the service 8 times per week from Thamesport, starting September, isnt that a regular class 60 diagram.

Would be nice if they could sell the 60s to freightliner instead, to use on that contract!

 

[Cowley]

...plus 6 and 8 cylinder versions, mostly used to power switchers (shunters) e.g. the SW1000/1001 series.



From the 645 Wikipedia page:


One of the things that customers like about the EMD engines is that they have fabricated (rather than cast) crankcases which can be repaired by welding when they develop fatigue cracks. This is a major reason there are lots of old EMD locos still running around. GE engines of the same vintage use cast crankcases, which tend to have to be scrapped once the cracking gets too bad, quite often resulting in the scrapping of the host loco as well (as a replacement crankcase or engine is expensive, I assume).

Re yours and Randyrippleys posts - Very interesting guys. Much new knowledge gleaned, so thanks.

 

[GB]

Only if you are certain that you'll find enough heavy freight work for the 15 locos, otherwise their upkeep and stabling costs become a drain. Having a full fleet of six newish locos in regular use makes more sense than buying 15 refurbed ones and having 9 sat idle.

Loco under utillisation is not generally an issue with GBRF.

 

[Harbornite]

Loco under utillisation is not generally an issue with GBRF.

Indeed, not one of their class 66s is in store.

 

[Highland37]

What is the issue with the Ruston unit in the 56 currently?

 

[Royston Vasey]

What is the issue with the Ruston unit in the 56 currently?

The fact it's rust'n is probably part of the answer

 

[CosherB]

Would be nice if they could sell the 60s to freightliner instead, to use on that contract!

Why? Freightliner have umpteen 70s parked up at the moment. The last thing they need is additional heavy haul locos.

 

[konstant]

I would have thought engines from the 710 series... AIUI the 645 series, while still in use, are not as common and been out of production for over a decade.
While new built 710s probably wouldn't be allowed due to EU emission regs, there would be plenty of 710s available from elsewhere in the world, Possibly Egypt, considering they (ENR) have taken a number of their JT42CWRM/Class 66s out of service after collisions... to say nothing of rebuilt engines from the US, Or even Ireland displaced after re-engining - although the 710s from Ireland would depend on IE's desired re-engining of the 201 fleet

This change will be classed as an upgrade, therefore the EU Emissions Regulations don't apply. In the case of an upgrade, you can fit any traction package you like so long as it is classed as a legitimate upgrade. They're getting brand new EMD 710s.

 

[cj_1985]

This change will be classed as an upgrade, therefore the EU Emissions Regulations don't apply. In the case of an upgrade, you can fit any traction package you like so long as it is classed as a legitimate upgrade. They're getting brand new EMD 710s.

Good to know. Thanks

 

[CosherB]

This change will be classed as an upgrade, therefore the EU Emissions Regulations don't apply. In the case of an upgrade, you can fit any traction package you like so long as it is classed as a legitimate upgrade. They're getting brand new EMD 710s.

Like these?

https://www.progressrail.com/en/engines/locomotiveengines/locomotive.html

 

[richieb1971]

Just listened to 710's on youtube. Sound groovy. I hope the 56's get some that are high pitched.

I'm willing to bet this installation is a massive success and every loco shell in the country is sourced thereafter for similar fittings.

Good for the UKRL Leicester outfit. They are doing the installation aren't they? The website goes to some length advertising this very kind of thing.

 

[ac6000cw]

Just listened to 710's on youtube. Sound groovy. I hope the 56's get some that are high pitched.

I strongly suspect they'll sound like the 710's you already know and love in the 66s...

 

[richieb1971]

Really, thats a 710 in those wretched things lol.

So basically, GBRF won't buy anything unless it has a 66 in it.

How does this solve their Heavy haul problem?

 

[BRX]

I didn't know until now that 66s and 67s have this same (EMD 710) engine onboard. And yet they sound quite different...how so?

 

[CosherB]

Really, thats a 710 in those wretched things lol.

So basically, GBRF won't buy anything unless it has a 66 in it.

How does this solve their Heavy haul problem?

5 off Colas 60s.

 

[CosherB]

I didn't know until now that 66s and 67s have this same (EMD 710) engine onboard. And yet they sound quite different...how so?

They aren’t the same engine in the 66 as the 67.

 

[BRX]

They aren’t the same engine in the 66 as the 67.

According to Wikipedia and here they are.

 

[CosherB]

According to Wikipedia and here they are.

Oh, must be true.

 

[Darandio]

Oh, must be true.

To be fair, there are multiple sources that state the same. If you know different than these guys, why not enlighten them?

 

[CosherB]

My bad, getting 57s and 67s mixed up. Thrash me remorselessly!

 

[F2002]

Has it actually been confirmed they will be using Class 56's with the EMD engine? I'm guessing that the Colas 60's will see an end to that pipe dream will it not?

 

[richieb1971]

Has it actually been confirmed they will be using Class 56's with the EMD engine? I'm guessing that the Colas 60's will see an end to that pipe dream will it not?

I doubt it. Its been stated the 56 project has been green lit by 2 sources and one of them is a major publication. I think what we have here and i've said it before.. It sounds like Colas and GBRF have struck a deal. Personally I'd like to see more deals like this one if it means prolonging the life of old locos and making use of locos that would be stored or laid idle for excessive amounts of time.

One thing I've never understood was why it costs money for the FOC to maintain lots of locos vs only a few, even in the event there isn't much work for them. The staff you employ are Full time. So what happens if they have nothing to do? They just get paid to drink tea and coffee?

 

[ac6000cw]

I didn't know until now that 66s and 67s have this same (EMD 710) engine onboard. And yet they sound quite different...how so?

The 66 was designed by EMD in the US and the 67 by (then) Alstom in Valencia, Spain. Probably/possibly different exhaust systems, radiator fans, traction motor blowers, engine air intake arrangements etc. as well as obviously different bodyshells.

The North American EMD F59PH/F59PHI passenger locos (using basically the same engine) sound different again - the first 4 1/2 minutes of this video is all F59s:

(the remainder of the video is all GE locos, including 'how to reverse a passenger train into the platform', Amtrak style)

 

[Y961 XBU]

A post on the WNXX news page this morning states that 5 of the Colas Class 60s are to be transferred to GBRf.

Colas has 2 variations of the Class 60 - those with the standard-size fuel tank and those with the long-range fuel tank:
Standard Fuel Tank: 60047, 60076, 60085, 60087 & 60095
Long-Range Fuel Tank: 60002, 60021, 60026, 60056 & 60096

My assumption would be that the 5 with the long-range tanks will remain with Colas, with the remaining 5 going to GBRf.

Someone mentioned this to me today saying this is a trial which if works out would see some DB examples bought, Any truth in this?

 

[richieb1971]

Are you suggesting DBS would sell off their bright red examples? I suppose if they did that, dbs would/could bring a few off the scrap line into service for themselves. Gives a kind of a reassurance measure and quick turnaround for those FOC's who want working locos straight away. I don't think anyone will buy those on the scrap line as the turnaround would be at least 6 months to get any product. If I were DBS I'd be doing up a few ready to sell. I know this is going to prompt replies like "What a waste of money?" etc, but DBS really need to reassure the other FOC's that those assets are rail worthy.

 

[xotGD]

Isn't all this just GRRf's way of getting the deal they want from DB for the 60s? Just show that you have more than one option available to you and it becomes a buyer's market.

 

[CosherB]

Isn't all this just GRRf's way of getting the deal they want from DB for the 60s? Just show that you have more than one option available to you and it becomes a buyer's market.

Precisely.

 

[Suraggu]

Why? Freightliner have umpteen 70s parked up at the moment. The last thing they need is additional heavy haul locos.

Are you sure? Do you have official sources stating they do not require additional heavy haul locos?

Have you ever thought that the Class 70's do not fit G&W UK's vision for Freightliner?

 

[Ciderking]

Rail Magazine have just reported that GB Railfreight have bought 16 Class 56s from UK Rail Leasing.

 

[Monty]

Rail Magazine have just reported that GB Railfreight have bought 16 Class 56s from UK Rail Leasing.

That's not an insignificant number, though I imagine not all will return to service and some will be destined to become parts donors.

UK Rail Leasing's patience seems to have paid off, they must of had these locos in their possession for the better part of a decade by now.