Yes - GBRf have had 47749 since the end of April, so over 7 months now. Before that they had 47739 for a long while. As far as I've noticed neither 749 nor 739 have done much other work for Colas during that period, bar the odd loco move/working here and there. 47727 on the hand has been stored since April 2016.Would make sense e.g. 47749 has been hired out to GBRf for seemingly ages.
Longer term I would think that upgrading them to a 57 would be useful...
I can’t comment on the 47 that’s painted up as I don’t know. However the 47s are to be used on a new Bombardier contract delivering new units to various regions between 2018 and 2021.
Is there some reason why new units should be delivered by 50-year old engines and not more conventional 'modern' freight engines?
Do GBRf simply not have enough 66s?
Is there some reason why new units should be delivered by 50-year old engines and not more conventional 'modern' freight engines?
Do GBRf simply not have enough 66s?
Or put another way, they have (more than) enough work for their 66s and stock moves don't need a 66's capabilities, hence this is a good/cost efficient way of expanding the fleet to cater for this new work without tying up 66s which would be better suited to other (freight) work.In a word, yes (they don't have enough 66's).
No, it wouldn't. If they want to 'upgrade' them to a 57 then buying some of the stored 57s and scrapping the 47s would be a lot cheaper, not to mention possible......(the GM engine wouldn't meet latest emission specs anwyay)Nice to see happening, but very unexpected.
Wonder what the plan is for them longer term.
Longer term I would think that upgrading them to a 57 would be useful...
GBRf also have 47853 (acquired in Oct 16 from DRS) at Barrow Hill, plus there's further unconfirmed suggestions HNRC's 47703 (at Wabtec Doncaster) and 47769 (at Barrow Hill) are or were destined for GBRf. Not sure what the plans for these three 47s are (if indeed there are still plans).
Is there some reason why new units should be delivered by 50-year old engines and not more conventional 'modern' freight engines?
Do GBRf simply not have enough 66s?
You can't fit Delner couplings to newer stock, only BR loco's with a standard hight drag box. And no it's not getting converted to a 57.
You can't fit Delner couplings to newer stock, only BR loco's with a standard hight drag box. And no it's not getting converted to a 57.
I think you'll find you could fit Delner couplers to whatever you wanted to.
Don't GBRf stick a portable Dellner on a 66 when they tow the eurostars to Kingsbury...also I believe one had one as something to do with IEP deliveries at one time.
The 92s are also being fitted for the sleeper and those aren't that much older than the 66 basic design and are newer than the first 59s which used the bodyshell
The 92's are having a new drag box fitted for the 15 year contract, so you will get a return on the massive investment. Fitting the same on a 47 to move a few units will not pay, fitting a unit the same as the ROG 37's will. However that needs an ex BR loco height drag box.
So you can fit them to whatever you want then...
I wouldn't - the Colas 47s make the 73/9s look reliable!I'd be using the 47s to replace 73s although not sure if 47s can go up the WHL
And yes, they can go on the WHL
GBRf already do stock moves - the Class 92s currently haul Class 707s and Class 700s through the tunnel, the latter being handed over to Class 66s for onward delivery. They just use barrier wagons for this. No reason this won't be the approach for the reported new contract with the 47s.
DRS 57s mainly stabled at main stations e.g Carlisle and Rugby for Thunderbird rescue duties. You were correct about the WCRC loco numbers and that is all locos accounted for. The DRS 57s don't get much use I believe except for the odd 1Z99 work and specials.What happened to the 16 Class 57/3s that had retractable Dellners fitted for Virgin? I know DRS had some, and WCRC bought 313-316 (I think) - does that account for them all or are others elsewhere? I’d have thought they’d be the most practical for new stock moves, surely?
Certainly don’t mind 47s getting more mainline work though!
Thanks, didn’t realise DRS had 12 of them! 305 and 312 in Northern Belle colours iirc?DRS 57s mainly stabled at main stations e.g Carlisle and Rugby for Thunderbird rescue duties. You were correct about the WCRC loco numbers and that is all locos accounted for. The DRS 57s don't get much use I believe except for the odd 1Z99 work and specials.
That's correct. DRS also have 9 57/0s as well, but they don't have dellner couplings but they are still found stabled in stations, Norwich is an exampleThanks, didn’t realise DRS had 12 of them! 305 and 312 in Northern Belle colours iirc?