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GBRF confirms conversion of Class 56s to Class 69s

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ExRes

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Apparently it's not even kestrel livery some people are getting triggered over that.

Quite so, I've seen from a knowledgeable source that the livery is actually EMD, those that have triggered themselves should be more concerned about the number of people unable to spell Kestrel, I just wish somebody would uncover that nameplate to reveal "Rail Head Treatment Train" ........
 

trainmania100

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Interesting - what else can you share about that? It seems to be either a "homage to" Kestrel, or "GBRf's own" unique livery.

It isn't Kestrel. The livery is Progress Rail / EMD and the name definitely isn't Kestrel.
This guy seems to be going around social media making it "clear" to people it's not kestrel livery despite what it looks like.

Back when 69001 was made, there was actually speculation about a gold and black progress rail livery. Obviously this is it.
 

03_179

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Afternoon all,
Does anyone know of any drawings of the outside of a class 69?


I'm trying find out if there are any visual differences between a cl.56 and cl.69.
Things like grills, roof details, lights etc.

Thanks
 

Sun Chariot

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I'm trying find out if there are any visual differences between a cl.56 and cl.69.
Things like grills, roof details, lights etc.
Bachmann's EP samples, courtesy of Rails of Sheffield site, give a good view of the 69 roof.
The larger body grille (at nbr 2 end) is only on this side. The other side matches that of a class 56.
Cab ends are very different. Internet images a-plenty.

Failing that - buy Bachmann's version. :)
 

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03_179

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That is a good image thanks.
I have one of the old BR Loco Tech Diagrams books from the 80/90s somewhere.
I will use any/all info and images to try and show any changes.

Thanks again
 

Sun Chariot

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That is a good image thanks.
I have one of the old BR Loco Tech Diagrams books from the 80/90s somewhere. I will use any/all info and images to try and show any changes.
This shot - 69008 en route from Arlington to Tonbridge Yard, when first released - shows the subtle changes in roof profile along the loco. Modelling challenge!
 

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That's an extensive change ...

The entirety of the roof between the cabs is new. The bars which it sits on are also replaced with new ones - old ones are curved but new ones flatter on top. This can be seen in various photos of them during rebuild. It's only the main bodyshell, bogies, traction motors and braking system which is refurbished and reused: everything else is new

This is a much more extensive job than the 47-57 repower project.
 
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Thanks
I think buying an old 56 model and converting is not worth the effort lol

I've seen online discussions about that - some experienced modellers had done a decent job of it, but it was a lot of work. As I recall the base model was usually one of the newer-type Hornby 56s, the roof fan section from a Class 68 (there were some misprinted bodyshells in the first batch which Dapol replaced, so the old ones could be picked up cheap), and the rest of the roof made using pieces cut from a Class 66 bodyshell.

Probably not worth doing now that Bachmann are making one in OO (and have said that they will do N gauge too later).
 

Royston Vasey

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The entirety of the roof between the cabs is new. The bars which it sits on are also replaced with new ones - old ones are curved but new ones flatter on top. This can be seen in various photos of them during rebuild. It's only the main bodyshell, bogies, traction motors and braking system which is refurbished and reused: everything else is new

This is a much more extensive job than the 47-57 repower project.
How did this work with power units, as the EMD 12N-710G3B-T2 as used in the 66s was introduced in 1998 and is surely no longer compliant? Is it still being produced but with additional exhaust aftertreatment, or are the 69s' engines refurbished like the 57s' were?
 
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How did this work with power units, as the EMD 12N-710G3B-T2 as used in the 66s was introduced in 1998 and is surely no longer compliant? Is it still being produced but with additional exhaust aftertreatment, or are the 69s' engines refurbished like the 57s' were?

They are new - exemptions from the latest regs can be granted for repower projects if it's not possible to comply with the latest ones (which it won't be due to lack of space in the bodyshell). The 69s are Tier-3A compliant, so same as the later build 66s.

The availability of the exemption is clearly one of the main reasons why they were (re)built - no new 66s can be made for the UK now as new locos do have to meet the latest standards, and the 66 couldn't be made compliant due to internal space restrictions.
 

Royston Vasey

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They are new - exemptions from the latest regs can be granted for repower projects if it's not possible to comply with the latest ones (which it won't be due to lack of space in the bodyshell). The 69s are Tier-3A compliant, so same as the later build 66s.

The availability of the exemption is clearly one of the main reasons why they were (re)built - no new 66s can be made for the UK now as new locos do have to meet the latest standards, and the 66 couldn't be made compliant due to internal space restrictions.
Thanks for this, concise explanation!
 

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