GBRF confirms conversion of Class 56s to Class 69s

[Trainman40083]

Kudos to GBRf for eschewing corporate uniformity and blandness and bringing some much needed cheer to enthusiasts, and hopefully to their own staff too. And all for a relatively trivial cost to themselves. Well done !

Indeed, from a business point of view, it gets them noticed, in the news etc, a talking point. Great way to advertise your business.

Finally saw 69009 today, behind 66711 and 66311 en route Doncaster to Longport. Looks ace.

 

[SEtrains]

69009 has made its way to Longport after its recent repaint. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05351/2024-03-05/detailed
Not long until regular use for 69009.

 

[cj_1985]

69009 has made its first mainline run since repaint to Longport. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05351/2024-03-05/detailed
Not long until regular use for 69009.

It already made its first mainline run when it was dragged from Eastleigh, today was the same, as it was dragged to Longport today..

 

[12LDA28C]

It already made its first mainline run when it was dragged from Eastleigh, today was the same, as it was dragged to Longport today..

'First mainline run' usually refers to a loco running under its own power and not being dragged as a dead weight either light engine(s) or in a train.

 

[cj_1985]

'First mainline run' usually refers to a loco running under its own power and not being dragged as a dead weight either light engine(s) or in a train.

Well aware of that. Hence why I added 'dragged' for both runs

 

[Sun Chariot]

[69009] ... was dragged to Longport today..

And it was in the company of another "new kid on the block" - 66311, an ex-European example; it's mentioned in this thread, photo is on post #256:

European Class 66's to UK

Just noticed that 66997/998/999 are showing as being at Hull Docks - are these more European sheds for Longport to conduct work on does anyone know?

www.railforums.co.uk

I look forward to both of their first "under own power" runs.

 

[SEtrains]

What class 69 is going for repaint next on Wednesday? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05902/2024-03-13/detailed

 

[wickham]

TOPS report published elsewhere appears to show 69009 and 69011 at Longport today (10/03) but I thought 69011 had been moved to Peterborough unless it has returned. None, 69012 or above appear to have had any main line testing (or indeed ANY testing) yet.

 

[train_lover]

What class 69 is going for repaint next on Wednesday? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05902/2024-03-13/detailed

It's 69011

And it was in the company of another "new kid on the block" - 66311, an ex-European example; it's mentioned in this thread, photo is on post #256:

European Class 66's to UK

Just noticed that 66997/998/999 are showing as being at Hull Docks - are these more European sheds for Longport to conduct work on does anyone know?

www.railforums.co.uk

I look forward to both of their first "under own power" runs.

It shouldn't be long until 009 is back out. 66311 is going to be a good while. Probably looking back end of this year.

 

[D365]

It shouldn't be long until 009 is back out. 66311 is going to be a good while. Probably looking back end of this year.

I had to read this twice as I got 66311 confused for 56311!

 

[Sun Chariot]

66311 is going to be a good while. Probably looking back end of this year.

I'm unsure what you mean? It was outshopped on 3rd March.

66311

A smart looking GBRF 66311 at Leicester Depot on the 03.03.24. 66311 is the second GBRF 66 to be out shopped from UKRL Loughborough Paint shop.

www.flickr.com

 

[cj_1985]

I'm unsure what you mean? It was outshopped on 3rd March.

66311

A smart looking GBRF 66311 at Leicester Depot on the 03.03.24. 66311 is the second GBRF 66 to be out shopped from UKRL Loughborough Paint shop.

www.flickr.com

Think he means until it's ready to operate trains on the mainline under it's own power. Presumably its still to have UK safety systems fitted etc

 

[Sun Chariot]

Ah OK thanks. I'd presumed that painting was the last step, akin to the 69s (and BR's works of pre-privatisation years).

 

[wickham]

With a good number of these inported 66/3s the painting into GBRf livery has been a very early step - not quite the first (as that would be removal of Eurpoean equipment) but certainly NOT the last ! It will indeed be a while until we see them ALL in service !

 

[SEtrains]

I’m assuming that this is a path for 69009 to go to Leicester L.I.P. to re-enter service. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R06558/2024-03-15/detailed

69011 is now on its way to Eastleigh for repaint

 

[The_Train]

I’m assuming that this is a path for 69009 to go to Leicester L.I.P. to re-enter service. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R06558/2024-03-15/detailed

69009 has come off maintenance status on TOPS today so I would guess you are right with that working

 

[SEtrains]

plans have changed and it seems as though 69009 will be returning to Leicester L.I.P tomorrow instead of Friday https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:56875/2024-03-14/detailed

 

[Rail Quest]

plans have changed and it seems as though 69009 will be returning to Leicester L.I.P tomorrow instead of Friday https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:56875/2024-03-14/detailed

Could that potentially mean she's been earmarked to run 0Z69 on Friday? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05979/2024-03-15/detailed

 

[train_lover]

I'm unsure what you mean? It was outshopped on 3rd March.

66311

A smart looking GBRF 66311 at Leicester Depot on the 03.03.24. 66311 is the second GBRF 66 to be out shopped from UKRL Loughborough Paint shop.

www.flickr.com

I dragged 311 last week. It might be in GBRF livery but there's absolutely nothing British about it. It's got a lot of work to go to bring it into our standard. It's gone to Longport for conversion.

plans have changed and it seems as though 69009 will be returning to Leicester L.I.P tomorrow instead of Friday https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:56875/2024-03-14/detailed

It certainly is going tomorrow

 

[Sun Chariot]

I dragged 311 last week

Ah - was that with 711, on this working?

Realtime Trains | 0L06 0900 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Longport F.D. | 05/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 0L06 0900 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Longport F.D. on 05/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[train_lover]

Ah - was that with 711, on this working?

Realtime Trains | 0L06 0900 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Longport F.D. | 05/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 0L06 0900 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Longport F.D. on 05/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That's the one. There's a substantial amount of work to do before it will run under its own power in the UK

 

[SEtrains]

It looks like a class 69(most likely 009) will be heading down to hoo junction on Monday. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R07054/2024-03-18/detailed

 

[Spaceship323]

69008, 69009 and 69010 were all on Leicester depot this morning

 

[SEtrains]

I’m assuming it’s 69009 because it’s just come out of maintenance so it may be on the daily freight train from mountfield sidings to Southampton docks.

 

[Trainman40083]

I’m assuming it’s 69009 because it’s just come out of maintenance so it may be on the daily freight train from Eastleigh to hoo and back

Actually I thought the later batch of 69s like 69009 were primarily to be used on unit drags in the East Midlands

 

[SEtrains]

Actually I thought the later batch of 69s like 69009 were primarily to be used on unit drags in the East Midlands

they are primarily used on unit drags but the only 69s at Leicester are 008,009 and 010 which are all part of the later batch

 

[E27007]

Does anyone have any details of the proposed liveries for the next batch of class 69?
With the latest release of 69009 as a homage to a Western, I am hoping one will be outshopped as a homage to HS4000 Kestrel

 

[SEtrains]

It looks like a class 69(most likely 009) will be heading down to hoo junction on Monday. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R07054/2024-03-18/detailed

It has been confirmed that 69010 is the unit that has gone to hoo junction up yard. 69010 will then travel onwards to tonbridge west yard.

 

[Skymonster]

There’s a chance then 009 could be on one of the STP/VST unit moves that originate from Leicester LIP today then - assuming they run.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I am hoping one will be outshopped as a homage to HS4000 Kestrel

Here here.