GBRF confirms conversion of Class 56s to Class 69s

[SolomonSouth]

So how many 69s exist at this point?

 

[Wyrleybart]

The consensus appears to be that the 69s will be operating from Tonbridge Yard. Is that just going to be a few of them, or are all 69s going to be based there? And which depot are they allocated to? Many thanks

Do GBRf locos have a nominal depot allocation ?
I would guess that Tonbridge will take care of the more frequent exams with Eastleigh and Roberts Road doing the big stuff, and maybe warranty work at Longport.

Wouldn't think they would split the allocation of the 69s between more than one depot or area, especially due to traction knowledge - much as I am sure a load of GBRf drivers would like to get their hands on them.

A clue might be in what 66/7s do at Tonbridge outside RHTT sesason. Do they have many diagrams which cycle around Tonbridge on an out and back basis ? Must admit that the present order of sixteen locos might seem a little restrictive for just the southern portion of England

 

[ExRes]

So how many 69s exist at this point?

Two at the moment with one more close to livery application

 

[Wyrleybart]

Two at the moment with one more close to livery application

I would argue at least three based on 69003 having run on the main line on it's own, albeit not too far. I am guessing 69004 qand 69005 have got their engines in and maybe already been powered up. ISTR one of the 69s was dragged to Eastleigh to be painted, with an empty cab !! Perhaps fitting out the cabs is one of the final jobs.

 

[SolomonSouth]

Two at the moment with one more close to livery application

Thanks mate

 

[Roast Veg]

A clue might be in what 66/7s do at Tonbridge outside RHTT sesason.

Mountfield? Assuming a 69 would fit.

 

[Strat-tastic]

Both 69001 and 69002 were out in RHTT duties around South London, Surrey and Sussex today covering for a pair of unavailable 73s.

Great. Get these nice 'new' locos out and covered in filth right away!

 

[D365]

So the [first two] 69s are very much in service now?

 

[4-SUB 4732]

So the [first two] 69s are very much in service now?

Not really. They did an RHTT the other day with success, should have the first two on Kent spare RHTT in a couple weeks.

 

[D365]

Not really. They did an RHTT the other day with success, should have the first two on Kent spare RHTT in a couple weeks.

RHTT is service, no?

 

[4-SUB 4732]

RHTT is service, no?

Well it was a trial so it’s not “in service”.

 

[malc-c]

69001 and 69002 running half an hour late this morning through Stevenage this morning

 

[Bessie]

Good to see 2 locos can haul 2 wagons

 

[D365]

Good to see 2 locos can haul 2 wagons

Or, if you're feeling slightly more optimistic, that one loco can haul three wagons

 

[Strat-tastic]

Look closely; you can see the driver's feet running, Flintstones style.
Yabadabadoo!

 

[D365]

Look closely; you can see the driver's feet running, Flintstones style.
Yabadabadoo!

Wonder how the AWS/TPWS would interface with caveman feet..!

 

[The_Train]

It appears another path for 69003 to head to Eastleigh yesterday was cancelled - 3rd time lucky maybe?!?

 

[Strat-tastic]

It appears another path for 69003 to head to Eastleigh yesterday was cancelled - 3rd time lucky maybe?!?

Whoa, not too soon dude!
I only classed 'em yesterday
(Assuming just 001 & 002 make up the class).

 

[The_Train]

Whoa, not too soon dude!
I only classed 'em yesterday
(Assuming just 001 & 002 make up the class).

well that depends as 69003 is now officially designated on TOPS and so exists although it has not officially entered traffic (just getting it moving seems a problem right now haha). So have you classed the 69's or haven't you?

 

[Strat-tastic]

What a dilemma...

 

[The_Train]

What a dilemma...

I wouldn't worry about it as you'll have seen 69003 within a few weeks no doubt......oh wait, but by then 69004 might be registered on TOPS.........

 

[Strat-tastic]

Stop it! Just stop it!

 

[The_Train]

Stop it! Just stop it!

On another note, has anyone heard when the next planned move for 69003 is yet?

 

[Ash Bridge]

On another note, has anyone heard when the next planned move for 69003 is yet?

Just spotted it passing by our house (0.5 miles south of Reddish South) double heading with 60076 working 6E17 Liverpool - Drax Biomass service. Still unpainted and service running approximately 40 mins down at this point according to RTT, by the sound of things the 60 leading was doing all the work!

 

[fgwrich]

Just spotted it passing by our house (0.5 miles south of Reddish South) double heading with 60076 working 6E17 Liverpool - Drax Biomass service. Still unpainted and service running approximately 40 mins down at this point according to RTT, by the sound of things the 60 leading was doing all the work!

I'm not surprised, looking at it on Flickr it appears to be dead anyway (nothing's plugged into the Multi socket and I don't believe they can Multi anyway?)

Of note with 003, is that it retains it's Romanian Cab windows as well - I would have thought, like the 66s, they'd have standardised those!

69003 6E17 Winwick

60076 ‘Dunbar’ + 69003 at Winwick on 6E17 13:02 Liverpool Bulk Terminal – Drax Power Station biomass hoppers on 30/10/21.

flickr.com

 

[Ash Bridge]

I'm not surprised, looking at it on Flickr it appears to be dead anyway (nothing's plugged into the Multi socket and I don't believe they can Multi anyway?)

Of note with 003, is that it retains it's Romanian Cab windows as well - I would have thought, like the 66s, they'd have standardised those!

69003 6E17 Winwick

60076 ‘Dunbar’ + 69003 at Winwick on 6E17 13:02 Liverpool Bulk Terminal – Drax Power Station biomass hoppers on 30/10/21.

flickr.com

Interesting point regarding the windows, hadn’t noticed that as it passed by. What would be the likely purpose of the locos inclusion in this service?

 

[fgwrich]

Interesting point regarding the windows, hadn’t noticed that as it passed by. What would be the likely purpose of the locos inclusion in this service?

No idea if I'm honest, given it was due to head down to Eastleigh for repainting. Perhaps it's being trip worked later on and attaching it to this was a move to set it up for later?

 

[pdeaves]

it retains it's Romanian Cab windows as well

What is the difference, please, for those of us who have no clue? I know the (now removed on class 69) nose end grilles were different on Romanian versions.

 

[fgwrich]

What is the difference, please, for those of us who have no clue? I know the (now removed on class 69) nose end grilles were different on Romanian versions.

On the Romanian built examples, the cab side windows were a two piece set up, with the small non opening window framed by a large rubber gasket - On the British built examples, it used a single window frame for both windows similar to the Class 47s.

Romanian at Bury

56006 stabled in the bay at Bury Bolton Street between duties at the ELR Summer Diesel Gala. 09/07/16

www.flickr.com

Class 56 56012 - Longsight TMD.

A work-stained Class 56 56012 was stabled at Longsight Depot on July 22nd 1984. The loco was one of the first batch of 30 built in Romania by Electroputere. 56012 had been new in April 1977 and passed to EWS at privatisation. It was withdrawn from service in 2000 and scrapped at Immingham.

www.flickr.com

56094 Crewe. Thurs 13th Feb 2020.

Explore StuSharp70's 4158 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Grey Undercoat 'Franken-Grid' Class 69, 69001

After what seems to be a very lengthy rebuild, not helped due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic the Electromotive rebuild of a Class 56 to a General Motors powered Class 69 finally undertook loaded tests on the Severn Valley Railway during the last few weeks of February and first eleven days...

www.flickr.com

 

[pdeaves]

On the Romanian built examples, the cab side windows were a two piece set up, with the small non opening window framed by a large rubber gasket - On the British built examples, it used a single window frame for both windows similar to the Class 47s.

Oh, I see, thanks.