Virgin Class 57s

[XCTurbostar]

Hi all,
I am aware that the early 57s didn’t carry Delner couplers but did this also happen with the later 4? (57312-316)

Does anyone have any images to suggest they were built with full flat fronts first and then converted later?

Thanks,

 

[156444]

According to Fred Kerr's Virgin Trains: A Pictorial Tribute (page 54), 57313-57316 were built with Dellner couplers, with 57301-57312 retrofitted with Dellner couplers shortly after.

 

[Nym]

Indeed, 313-316 were as built, the panelling in the cab and the wring layouts are different and support this.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Thanks for your responses both, I assumed so. The reason I ask is that I have noticed several Virgin cast nose cones marked with '57315' or '57316' appearing on eBay. I assume these are fake?

 

[Nym]

Given the front end of a 47 (and hence a 57) is a fabricated aluminium structure, and 57315 and 57316 are very much still in operation with WCRC and very much still have their front ends, I'd assume yes.