How feasible would it be to convert Class 60s for passenger use?

[sprinterguy]

If Toton is on HS2, will that go through where the 60's are currently parked? if so, at least we know DBS will move them by the time HS2 is completed

Yes, the HS2 route essentially cuts right through that side of the Toton site. DB Schenker will have to shift the locos from there before construction begins, and as mentioned above, a few reinstated locos could prove useful for HS2 construction trains.

 

[BR60062]

It would be nice to think that when DB have finished using 60100 operationally and its time for it to be retired to the National Collection, they could hand it over before it is sat for months/years getting into a state of disrepair at Toton (or wherever). Is that too much to ask for...?

I totally agree with you mate. I would like to see a handful of Class 60's make preservation but I think one of the super-tugs would be more viable as they have had major overhauls as the others are probably too rotten and they would probably be more valuable as scrap metal as they have been stored for about 8 to 10 years in the open elements mate .

 

[KN1]

Both 58050 and 60100 have been earmarked places in the National Collection for several years at this point.

I was at the NRM last year and was chatting to a guy who worked there and he mentioned that 60100 is now 50/50 to be preserved and he thought it would miss out.
He wouldn't say what but said 5 loco's are now under consideration that weren't known about a year ago.

 

[TimboM]

I totally agree with you mate. I would like to see a handful of Class 60's make preservation but I think one of the super-tugs would be more viable as they have had major overhauls as the others are probably too rotten and they would probably be more valuable as scrap metal as they have been stored for about 8 to 10 years in the open elements mate .

Agreed - was looking at some drone footage on YouTube from last summer of the big long row of 60s "stored" (aka rotting) at Toton. A lot of them look well past it unfortunately and suitable only for razor blades. Also, with 77 in store at the last count, if anyone (e.g. Colas, HS2) do want to reactivate/buy a FEW of them, there'd be a handful in that number that are in a better state and suitable candidates, meaning the vast majority of the ones that are already in a very sorry state are almost certainly beyond economic repair/saving.

Agree that any for preservation or NRM should come out of those remaining active, particularly the Super-Tugs as you say. I'm sure some preservation societies will buy the "wrecks" on the cheap, though, and struggle to do them up (they're not simple machines after all) - and they'll just end up sitting in sidings around the country rotting rather than in a big long row at Toton... :cry:

Another dynamic, though, is that the "had it" ones could arguably be put into preservation now (no use as above) - however the active ones (assuming they keep getting overhauled/maintained) have about another 10-15 years of designed life left in them. Allegedly.

 

[BR60062]

Hi TimboM,

I am judging that those 20 that DBC listed up for grabs last year have been taken for scrap/reuse? As I cannot find any new information on them. However as I mentioned last year, albeit a pipe-dream. I would love to preserve one of the Class 60's and have it as static display piece . But when the time comes, I think the super-tugs may well be in line for "active" preservation on heritage lines for working with old BR stock on many heritage railways such as GCR, MNR, NVR etc.

Just my personaly opinion and nothing more. I think 60100 should not be overlooked by the NRM because it was the very last British-made Diesel Locomotive to ever exist and that has given 60100 some legacy grounds for preservation anywhere. If the NRM cannot take it, then perhaps one the Railroad Museums in the United States could take it as they have an A4 over there numbered as 60008. Heck perhaps they could even name 60100 as Donald J Trump to justify its preservation and give that Class 60 a secure future .

However moving on and being logical. Assuming that some of the other rough-edged Class 60's could have a use on railway sites as if the guts was all taken out. There could be an idea to build a coffee shop in one where the engine room is . Nothing like a cuppa and some cake inside a piece of British-history and make a profit from the punters too! .

 

[D365]

Just my personaly opinion and nothing more. I think 60100 should not be overlooked by the NRM because it was the very last British-made Diesel Locomotive to ever exist and that has given 60100 some legacy grounds for preservation anywhere.

It's been designated for the National Collection. What more are you asking for?

However moving on and being logical. Assuming that some of the other rough-edged Class 60's could have a use on railway sites as if the guts was all taken out. There could be an idea to build a coffee shop in one where the engine room is . Nothing like a cuppa and some cake inside a piece of British-history and make a profit from the punters too! .

Tea and cakes is going to pay for this, how?

 

[CosherB]

I think we'll be lucky to have 60100 saved. It does have historical significance as the last BR diesel built, but that's about it. Sorry for keep banging on about this, but the 60 was an example of politics coming ahead of logic and proven engineering. We should have had 100 59s ordered, a truly transformational loco. I'd say 59001 is also worthy of preservation for starting the process of transforming the landscape of British freight traction. Bit off topic now ....

The remaining 99 Class 60s should be scrapped when the time comes.

 

[TimboM]

Hi TimboM,

I am judging that those 20 that DBC listed up for grabs last year have been taken for scrap/reuse? As I cannot find any new information on them. However as I mentioned last year, albeit a pipe-dream. I would love to preserve one of the Class 60's and have it as static display piece . But when the time comes, I think the super-tugs may well be in line for "active" preservation on heritage lines for working with old BR stock on many heritage railways such as GCR, MNR, NVR etc.

Just my personaly opinion and nothing more. I think 60100 should not be overlooked by the NRM because it was the very last British-made Diesel Locomotive to ever exist and that has given 60100 some legacy grounds for preservation anywhere. If the NRM cannot take it, then perhaps one the Railroad Museums in the United States could take it as they have an A4 over there numbered as 60008. Heck perhaps they could even name 60100 as Donald J Trump to justify its preservation and give that Class 60 a secure future .

However moving on and being logical. Assuming that some of the other rough-edged Class 60's could have a use on railway sites as if the guts was all taken out. There could be an idea to build a coffee shop in one where the engine room is . Nothing like a cuppa and some cake inside a piece of British-history and make a profit from the punters too! .

As far as I know/can find out, all the stored Class 60s are still sat at either Toton or Crewe Electric (bar one - 60040 at Margam). Other than the ones that have already gone to Colas, I don't believe any others have been sold/scrapped at the current time.

Give me a shout in c.10 years and I might be interested in setting up the Donald J Trump Tug Tearooms with a couple of old Class 60 carcasses