57's Like them or not?

[D9521]

57's.. Do you all like them or dislike them? i dislike them for the fact that they use the 47 bodies killing off a 47 to create a 57 but it saves the shell from eventual scrap i guess.

Comments and thoughts please?

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Think the Idea of upgrading a life expired unit into a unit that can keep going for many more ayear is a Brilliant Idea as with the HST they seem more reliable is there any facts or figures on the performance now?

 

[D9521]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_57

 

[almark]

Wasn't too bothered originally but now they are a nice break in the shed fest when they show up! Don't actually sound too bad either,well,better than a GM!

 

[D9521]

I may of read this comment wrong but they are GM engined?

 

[Techniquest]

Yep, I'd agree with that. They're alright, enough to make it a trip out for them, but I'm not their biggest fan.

 

[90019]

I may of read this comment wrong but they are GM engined?

Yeah, I think he meant 66s, which are made by GM.

Personally, I like the 57s, because they're a way of keeping the 47s going. I also like them with the newer lights, I think it really suits them. And they do look damn good hauling a Pendo

 

[Phoenix]

I love them as they do a lot more for the image of the British rail industry considering that a company can take a British built loco then take it in alter it refurbish it and hey presto it's good enough for even a company like virgin at the current rate we will have class 57 doing rescues for the following

Virgin currently use them.
NXEA Have just awarded DRS a contract for Thunderbird duties so they are lieley to use 57's.
NXEC have looked into using 57/3's for rescues.
FGW currently use them.

So from a professional standard they are good both down on paper and out in the field but if we want to talk about enthusiast value well there basically a class 47 that sounds different and actually works but seriously these lot are very hard workers and seriously know how to get it done.
And isn't it something to note that they took a type four which had defiantly seen better days and turned it into a reliable type 5 that is beginning to be sort after.

 

[90019]

NXEC have looked into using 57/3's for rescues.

I would've thought they'd stick with 67s because of the higher top speed.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

When I think of a class 57's I always think of 'Thinderbird' locos on the WCML working as rescue trains or hauling pendos on unelectrified lines - or just sat idle waiting for something to do!!

I like the design/look of them as well.

 

[D9521]

I love them as they do a lot more for the image of the British rail industry considering that a company can take a British built loco then take it in alter it refurbish it and hey presto it's good enough for even a company like virgin at the current rate we will have class 57 doing rescues for the following

Virgin currently use them.
NXEA Have just awarded DRS a contract for Thunderbird duties so they are lieley to use 57's.
NXEC have looked into using 57/3's for rescues.
FGW currently use them.

So from a professional standard they are good both down on paper and out in the field but if we want to talk about enthusiast value well there basically a class 47 that sounds different and actually works but seriously these lot are very hard workers and seriously know how to get it done.
And isn't it something to note that they took a type four which had defiantly seen better days and turned it into a reliable type 5 that is beginning to be sort after.

You missed out Arriva on the holyheads

I think they look best in virgin and arriva to be honest

47's do have life in them still as proven by Cotswold/Advensa with their 47's but if the more worn out 47's were converted it would be the perfect mix

 

[Jim]

I actually quite like them - pick the right ones and you find yourself with quite a filthy motor - considering the new engine is under 10years old!

 

[Juniper Driver]

They are just a 47 renumbered (and re-engined),that is all.

 

[The Snap]

they use the 47 bodies killing off a 47

This is a bad thing because...?

I like them, they sound pretty good.

 

[D9521]

This is a bad thing because...?

Only because it kills off another british part of our railways by putting an (american? where is GM based O.o) engine in

 

[clagmonster]

NXEA Have just awarded DRS a contract for Thunderbird duties so they are lieley to use 57's.

Anglia drivers only sign class 47s. Also, the DRS 57/0s do not have ETH, so would be unlikely to appear on an anglia thunderbird turn.
Also, despite the numbering, 57s are actually type 4 (at most 2750 HP).

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

How easy/hard is it to retrofit ETH? Obviously the wiring would have to be sorted, but if the Alternator can cope...

 

[Phoenix]

They are just a 47 renumbered (and re-engined),that is all.

Not exactly though considering they have a refurbished class 56 alternator and the ETH boxes have been moved underneath the locomotive.
Hst's have been renumbered and re-engined there is a difference.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

General Motors (GM) is based in Canada IIRC

I like the 57s, they don't 'ying' annoyingly and are alright I think.

Funny though how GMs in trains sound nearly the same, but totally different to the GM cars! (Imagine if they put a EMD 12N 2L version in a car!!)

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

NXEA Have just awarded DRS a contract for Thunderbird duties so they are lieley to use 57's.
FGW currently use them.

Do you really know DRS will use 57s on them or are you stabbing in the dark? I really highly doubt they will, Don't NXEA Men sign 47s so common sense would be to use 47s.....

FGW Currently use them? And they're really reliable aren't they.....


No option for a 'No preference' opinion?

 

[GNERman]

better as a 47...

 

[thefab444]

I love them as they do a lot more for the image of the British rail industry considering that a company can take a British built loco then take it in alter it refurbish it and hey presto it's good enough for even a company like virgin at the current rate we will have class 57 doing rescues for the following .

Is that why the FGW 57/6s are constantly failing? Hardly a day passes without a farce on the Night Riviera Sleeper due to these locos! Although the WCRC/Virgin ones seem to be more reliable, the Freightliner ones weren't that great either.

 

[mbonwick]

No, IMHO the reason FGW 57/6s fail so often is
A. They aren't properly looked after
B. They are out working nearly every day.

 

[90019]

better as a 47...

How? :?

 

[GNERman]

I don't know - just a hunch?...

 

[Turbostar]

No, IMHO the reason FGW 57/6s fail so often is
A. They aren't properly looked after
B. They are out working nearly every day.

I agree. I think the reason behind it is, one costcutting, and two First can't be bothered to send them as much as they do from Penzance to Laira for maintenance, as Laira is much bigger & better equipped than Penzance, so it's a case of fix it at Long Rock, as much as possible, & send it to Laira as a last resort.

 

[D9521]

Its typical of arriva to not listen to what theyve been trained though.. This is the reason they constantly break the bubble car and have damaged a 57 within days of using them..

Don't know if anyone heard about it but a driver went straight into a high notch and burnt out the traction motors i think, may have the wrong part but they burnt something out but besides that virgin and arrivas 57's seem to run without a murmur

 

[Pumbaa]

Virgin ones only run limited though to their thunderbird points, unlike the /6s which tread ground without fail every night. Virgins would be lucky to actually do a proper run every week I'd imagine to change stabling points and/or go in for maintenance.

 

[Phoenix]

Do you really know DRS will use 57s on them or are you stabbing in the dark? I really highly doubt they will, Don't NXEA Men sign 47s so common sense would be to use 47s.....

FGW Currently use them? And they're really reliable aren't they.....


No option for a 'No preference' opinion?

No I don't really know just I thought it was a possibility but seen as though you know so much please continue and I promise not to interupt...........

To be honest despite the recent failings on the FGW sleepers the 57's do pretty damn well on the whole and that's what im sticking to if anyone wants to give a list of examples of class members failing then please go ahead but as far as I know they are worth there cost.

 

[33056]

No option for a 'No preference' opinion?

My thoughts exactly, though I wish that they sounded as good as some of the stuff with a similar engine in like, such as Irish Rail 071s.