GBRF confirms conversion of Class 56s to Class 69s

[D365]

At 26:20 in the video (I think when it's climbing the steepest gradient), there is a shot of the EM2000 traction control display. I assume 'MG' => Main Generator

This is correct and I believe is standard EMD parlance, despite Classes 66 and 56/69 being fitted with alternators, not generators.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

At 26:20 in the video (I think when it's climbing the steepest gradient), there is a shot of the EM2000 traction control display. I assume 'MG' => Main Generator, so 1712A x 731V = 1251kW, engine running in Throttle Position 7 at 829 RPM, speed 19mph:

View attachment 184115

That is cool. I am loving these class 69 conversions. I was a true spotter in 1976 when the first 56s started to arrive. Seeing 56 become 69s is really great nearly 50 years later.

 

[Trainman40083]

That is cool. I am loving these class 69 conversions. I was a true spotter in 1976 when the first 56s started to arrive. Seeing 56 become 69s is really great nearly 50 years later.

Don't say that. Makes me feel old.

 

[Nym]

This is correct and I believe is standard EMD parlance, despite Classes 66 and 56/69 being fitted with alternators, not generators.

Well, given EMD are American one can't expect them to use correct electrical terms.

(Also operationally facing things aren't always right)
See also, use of the word "Isolate".

 

[trainmania100]

Just seen a photo of 015 in a grey and yellow livery on Facebook. Won't post a picture as source as we never know if it's real or not. Red speed whisker red stripe

 

[Wyrleybart]

Just seen a photo of 015 in a grey and yellow livery on Facebook. Won't post a picture as source as we never know if it's real or not. Red speed whisker red stripe

Sounds a bit Union Pacific from your description !!!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Just seen a photo of 015 in a grey and yellow livery on Facebook. Won't post a picture as source as we never know if it's real or not. Red speed whisker red stripe

It reads a little like 47803's BR Infrastructure odd livery of the early 1990s. Yellow upper half, red stripe, grey lower.

 

[cj_1985]

Mr Tiller has posted the images of 015 @ Eastleigh Works on Facebook (class 69 group is where I saw them)

 

[Yorkshire09876]

There are pictures on the WNXX news page. Basically appears to be Railfreight red stripe, with added red speed whiskers and GBRF branding in place of the large BR logo.

 

[Mike_L_Surrey]

Mr Tiller has posted the images of 015 @ Eastleigh Works on Facebook (class 69 group is where I saw them)

I saw that as well, I think we can assume it’s genuine.

I was intrigued to see the ‘Donor’ locomotive number 56009 displayed on the cab side & front in addition to 69015 elsewhere.

I assume 56009 no longer officially exists but I thought this could be confusing as there are active class 56’s elsewhere.

 

[trainmania100]

Certainly looks the business. Thought it only went in just before the weekend (as 66791 came out in Heidelberg). Very quick. Other than the red buffer beam at the front (I don't know, it looks a bit too red), this is my second favourite behind 69002.

 

[Sun Chariot]

There are pictures on the WNXX news page. Basically appears to be Railfreight red stripe, with added red speed whiskers and GBRF branding in place of the large BR logo.

It sounds good and homage to a livery I well remember

 

[fgwrich]

And finally.... the last 69 out of the Paintshop for GB Railfreight.

69015 (ex-56009) sports an updated version of Red Stripe Railfreight, paying homage to it's previous identity of 56009.

Well done to Gary and the team in the Paintshop here at Arlington, who pulled out all the stops to make sure this one came out on time.

It's been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Bob Tiller of GB Railfreight, helping create this amazingly colourful bunch of locos.

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As above, two images of 69015 in a version of BR Railfreight Red Strip with Whiskers in Red. Images courtesy of Arlington Fleet Services.

 

[Richard Scott]

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As above, two images of 69015 in a version of BR Railfreight Red Strip with Whiskers in Red. Images courtesy of Arlington Fleet Services.

Now the question is how many 56s carried large logo numbers with red stripe railfreight livery, as only remember some 37s doing so?
Still looks good, though!!!

 

[Loadhaul60059]

One of the best of the bunch for me!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Now the question is how many 56s carried large logo numbers with red stripe railfreight livery, as only remember some 37s doing so?
Still looks good, though!!!

Yes - 37502 to 37520 definitely had, as you say. I'm certain Thornaby churned out a Railfreight grey 47 with red stripe and large white bodyside number. Possibly 47361 but I will trawl my 35mm shots and online images.

I don't recollect any of the Railfreight grey 56s having large white bodyside number. 56135 set the trend of small black number under driver's cabside window, when it emerged from Crewe Works.
Only the large logo monastral blue 56s, from 56036 (1978) and the new builds (from 1980?) at Doncaster and Crewe, had large white bodyside number.

 

[Richard Scott]

I'm sure Thornaby churned out a Railfreight grey 47 with red stripe and large white bodyside number. Possibly 47361 but I will trawl my 35mm shots and online images.

Yes, 47363, remember having that in 1991 out of Exeter, strayed a long way from home.
I'll stop straying off topic, now!!!

 

[Loadhaul60059]

According to the Class 56 Group - link here https://www.class56group.co.uk/your-questions-answered-railfreight-red-stripe/ - a few of them did:

As far as can be ascertained, the following ‘Grids’ all carried Railfreight red stripe livery; 56003, 011, 019, 044, 048, 049, 052, 067, 068, 076, 088, 089, 090, 098*, 100, 106, 107 & 108.

56098, although having never worn the livery during original service with British Rail, did carry it for several years during the loco’s stint in preservation.

Apologies - looks like I've got my wires crossed as that just confirms which ran in the livery, not whether they had the large number on the side.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Yes, 47363, remember having that in 1991 out of Exeter, strayed a long way from home.
I'll stop straying off topic, now!!!

Well remembered. One final stray OT 31327 also wore red stripe Railfreight grey with large white bodyside number.

 

[Carnforth_24]

What a joke of a livery.

 

[Trainman40083]

What a joke of a livery.

I think it looks great.

 

[Class15]

I think it looks great.

Agreed!

 

[ExRes]

What a joke of a livery.

No livery is a joke unless it's worse than 60062

 

[Trainman40083]

No livery is a joke unless it's worse than 60062

Have to say, I did wonder about Deltic 16 in Porterbrook purple.

 

[trainmania100]

Bizarre choice to call the livery a joke when it's practically the same as the original red stripe 56, except for the whisker at the front which spoils it a bit but it's the same as the original except the logo change. What's the problem?

 

[357]

What a joke of a livery.

I can't wait to see what livery you decide to paint your loco.

 

[contrex]

This is correct and I believe is standard EMD parlance, despite Classes 66 and 56/69 being fitted with alternators, not generators.

A bit late to the party, but strictly speaking, alternators are 'generators'. DC generators used to be also called 'dynamos' years ago.

 

[Carnforth_24]

What’s wrong with painting the loco in authentic red stripe Railfreight? But no, GBRf have to adorn it with GBRf fripperies.

I actually really like RSRF but, if you’re going to do it, do it properly.

 

[31160]

Hmm not a massive fan of this if I'm honest. Missing the arrows and definitely not a fan of the nose art

 

[Richard Scott]

A bit late to the party, but strictly speaking, alternators are 'generators'. DC generators used to be also called 'dynamos' years ago.

If we're going to be pedantic then an alternator is an AC generator.