GBRf Class 60s

[Trainz6013]

I've just had an article pop up on my phone from Rail Magazine, stating that GBRF have bought the 60s from Beacon Rail

 

[Rail Quest]

Here's a link to the article in question: https://www.railmagazine.com/news/gbrf-buys-back-class-60s-then-retires-fleet
[URL directs to rail magazine article confirming GBRf have bought the 60s off Beacon Rail]

The below quote from the article confused me a bit:

They have not been withdrawn or moved into a stored pool.

What exactly is the difference between "standing down" and withdrawing locomotives?

 

[31160]

I've just had an article pop up on my phone from Rail Magazine, stating that GBRF have bought the 60s from Beacon Rail

Well that has to be positive, surely they wouldn't bother spending money on them just to let them rot???

 

[Belfastmarty]

What exactly is the difference between "standing down" and withdrawing locomotives?

I'd say standing down is temporary whereas withdrawing is permanent.

 

[Trainz6013]

As of 31/01, 60087 remains at Leeming Bar the Wensleydale line, and 66687 is on it's was to Tyne Coal Terminal on 0N01, making it (I believe) the second GBRF 66/6 at this former 60 stronghold

 

[alexl92]

So do we know why they’ve bought th 60s when the rumours were they were all to be withdrawn or stored?

Also, semi-relevant, what’s the state of the 69s at the moment? I’d heard a rumour that half have been stored and the rest are reduced to shunting duties?

 

[D365]

Also, semi-relevant, what’s the state of the 69s at the moment? I’d heard a rumour that half have been stored and the rest are reduced to shunting duties?

See the Class 69 thread.

 

[Adrian Barr]

So do we know why they’ve bought the 60s when the rumours were they were all to be withdrawn or stored?

I think it's probably just for financial / accounting / contractual reasons. The locos were originally sold by GBRF to Beacon Rail in 2018 and then leased back from them, so this is a reversal of that. The original arrangement is described as a "long-term leaseback" so GBRF were probably committed to leasing them until a certain date, and it may have worked out cheaper to buy unused locos than continue to pay the leasing costs, depending how the contract was set up. I think I read something to that effect, either a post on Railforums or a YouTube comment, and it seems a plausible reason for buying the locos and then storing them straight away.

Photo of six 60s lined up at Doncaster Down Decoy (north siding of the old mail terminal) on Jan 25th:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaledodger46/55066077897/ (Photo: John Mackay)

I assume they are still there at the time of this post, although I haven't been down to look. The photo is taken from the bridge on White Rose Way (a short walk from the "Lakeside Village" shopping outlet) if anyone is interested in viewing them.

 

[scottie]

They were still there as the photo this afternoon.

 

[Trainz6013]

I think it's probably just for financial / accounting / contractual reasons. The locos were originally sold by GBRF to Beacon Rail in 2018 and then leased back from them, so this is a reversal of that. The original arrangement is described as a "long-term leaseback" so GBRF were probably committed to leasing them until a certain date, and it may have worked out cheaper to buy unused locos than continue to pay the leasing costs, depending how the contract was set up. I think I read something to that effect, either a post on Railforums or a YouTube comment, and it seems a plausible reason for buying the locos and then storing them straight away.

Photo of six 60s lined up at Doncaster Down Decoy (north siding of the old mail terminal) on Jan 25th:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaledodger46/55066077897/ (Photo: John Mackay)

I assume they are still there at the time of this post, although I haven't been down to look. The photo is taken from the bridge on White Rose Way (a short walk from the "Lakeside Village" shopping outlet) if anyone is interested in viewing them.

Thank you very much @Adrian Barr, ill have to head down that way and have a look

 

[Harlequinuk]

An article in Railways Illustrated is saying the listed Class 60s may well be going to Land Recovery who could now be wanting to form there own Freight Operating Company.

 

[D365]

An article in Railways Illustrated is saying the listed Class 60s may well be going to Land Recovery who could now be wanting to form there own Freight Operating Company.

You’ve posted in the GBRf Class 60 thread. But the article that you’ve attached doesn’t suggest that Land Recovery is intending to purchase any GBRf locomotives.

 

[Rail Quest]

You’ve posted in the GBRf Class 60 thread. But the article that you’ve attached doesn’t suggest that Land Recovery is intending to purchase any GBRf locomotives.

It may have been posted to the wrong thread, but it's got me thinking something. Could GBRf have bought the 60s so that Land Recovery couldn't lease or buy them themselves from Beacon? The last thing GBRf will want is a new competitor to come in and take a load of contracts. If buying the 10 60s prevents LR from using them and slows the business setting up, it might be money well spent for GBRf.

 

[Trainman40083]

It may have been posted to the wrong thread, but it's got me thinking something. Could GBRf have bought the 60s so that Land Recovery couldn't lease or buy them themselves from Beacon? The last thing GBRf will want is a new competitor to come in and take a load of contracts. If buying the 10 60s prevents LR from using them and slows the business setting up, it might be money well spent for GBRf.

But isn't Land Recovery already set up, and using locos from the likes of Colas Rail.

 

[Rail Quest]

But isn't Land Recovery already set up, and using locos from the likes of Colas Rail.

Fair point but it could still have a knock on impact. Quote from the article pictured in post #71:

LR has been using Colas and GBRf to haul its trains of aggregates but is understood to be looking at possibly either operating its own trains or at least providing its own locomotives.

If GBRf are doing some work for them at present, then presumably, those contracts will go if LR set up fully.

 

[43096]

Fair point but it could still have a knock on impact. Quote from the article pictured in post #71:

If GBRf are doing some work for them at present, then presumably, those contracts will go if LR set up fully.

“If” being the operative word. They may not be going to become a full operator and instead are buying traction for an existing FOC to operate, much like Mendip Rail operation before DB lost the contract.

 

[47286Dan]

Monday afternoon update

60096 at Donny has now come out of the stored (S) status

60002 GBTG DONCDNDCY DONCDNDCY 0 S
60004 GBSD TOTON TMD TOTONPTSP U
60014 GBSD TOTON TMD LONGPTDBC U
60018 GBSD TOTON TMD LOUGBO HS D
60021 GBTG DONCDNDCY DONCDNDCY 4 S
60026 GBTG DONCBELMD DONCBELMD F N
60047 GBTG TOTON TMD TOTON TMD 4 D
60056 GBTG DONCDNDCY DONCDNDCY F S
60076 GBTG DONCDNDCY DONCDNDCY 0 S
60085 GBTG DONCBELMD DONCDNDCY S
60087 GBTG BOROBRDLC LEEMG BAR T
60095 GBTG HUMBSTRD5 HUMBSTRD5 4 N
60096 GBTG DONCDNDCY DONCDNDCY 4 N

Dan

 

[alexl92]

Don't Land Recovery already have a bunch of 60s awaiting overhaul stored in a quarry somewhere?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Feb 2026 ==

See the Class 69 thread.

Thanks, I literally searched the forum for the thread title 'Class 69' and all it gave me was one that was no longer open for replies... Appreciate you linking that!

 

[Trainman40083]

Don't Land Recovery already have a bunch of 60s awaiting overhaul stored in a quarry somewhere?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Feb 2026 ==


Thanks, I literally searched the forum for the thread title 'Class 69' and all it gave me was one that was no longer open for replies... Appreciate you linking that!

Indeed they do, near Alsager.

 

[Trainz6013]

It appears that 60026 has joined some of the others at Doncaster

 

[47286Dan]

It appears that 60026 has joined some of the others at Doncaster

Yes, in the list I posted this afternoon it shows all 7 are at Donny. Only 5 are showing as (S) stored tho, not all 7

Dan

 

[Trainz6013]

Yes, in the list I posted this afternoon it shows all 7 are at Donny. Only 5 are showing as (S) stored tho, not all 7

Dan

I completely missed that lol... Seems strange that 096 has came back out of storage

 

[Loadhaul60059]

I completely missed that lol... Seems strange that 096 has came back out of storage

Especially when you realise it's blocked in by other 60's are still in store! Will be a bit of a faff getting it out (if they actually plan on using it).

 

[Harlequinuk]

60096 has changed from S to N, guess it`ll be out to `play` soon

 

[cj_1985]

I have a sneaking suspicion/theory... you've got land recovery wanting their own fleet, whether being an operator in their own right is another question, but what if GB are holding their 60s as a trump card to secure a contract with LR like EWS/DB had with medip rail whil they had their similar 59/2s...?

 

[sad1e]

Apparently GBRF are going to auction off their 60's alongside the 47's , some shunters and 59003.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Feb 2026 ==

We are about to market a number of locomotives at GB Railfreight. These will include our Class 60 fleet, 59003, Class 47s and some shunt engines. We will shortly have a link on our website to view… | Carl Kent

We are about to market a number of locomotives at GB Railfreight. These will include our Class 60 fleet, 59003, Class 47s and some shunt engines. We will shortly have a link on our website to view more information on the traction. We will host visits in the coming weeks and will run an auction...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Loadhaul60059]

Interesting development.

Given DB's apparent lack of success at shifting their 60's, aligned with DCR's commitment to re-engineering their own 60's, I can't see that there will be many takers?

 

[wickham]

Interesting development.

Given DB's apparent lack of success at shifting their 60's, aligned with DCR's commitment to re-engineering their own 60's, I can't see that there will be many takers?

Not so sure about this - at least most of these are in working order and do not require an expensive overhaul - perhaps this will short-circuit other people's plans - there is a ready-made fully operational fleet going, just for the bidding !

 

[800001]

Observed on the wnxx website, that road transport arrived at Leeming yesterday to extract 60087 which has been there for several months since failing on the ECML with an axle fault.

[wnxx] Pictures - 60087 Leeming Bar 230326

 

[Trainz6013]

Wonder where she's off to, I can't imagine 087 going into the storage line at Doncaster?