British Rail Class 57
Great Western Railway 57603 in 2016
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
Brush Traction British Rail Crewe Works |
| Build date | 1964-1967 |
| Rebuilder | Brush Traction |
| Rebuild date | 1998-2004 |
| Number rebuilt | 33 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| UIC class | Co'-Co' |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Length | 19.38 metres (63 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 2.79 metres (9 ft 2 in) |
| Loco weight |
57/0 & 57601: 120.6 tonnes (119 long tons; 133 short tons) 57/3 & 57602–57605: 117 tonnes (115 long tons; 129 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel capacity |
57/0: 5,550 L (1,220 imp gal; 1,470 US gal) 57/3 & 57/6: 5,887 L (1,295 imp gal; 1,555 US gal) |
| Prime mover |
57/0: EMD 645-E3 57/3 & 57/6: EMD 645-F3B |
| Engine type | two-stroke V12 diesel |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| MU working | Yes |
| Train heating |
57/0: None 57601: Electric Train Supply index 95 57/3 & 57602-57605: Electric Train Supply index 100 |
| Loco brake | Air |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed |
57/0: 75 mph (121 km/h) 57/3 & 57/6: 95 mph (153 km/h) |
| Loco brakeforce |
57/0: 80 long tons-force (797 kN) 57/3 & 57/6: 60 long tons-force (598 kN) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators |
Direct Rail Services Great Western Railway West Coast Railway Company |
| Number in class | 33 |
| Numbers | 57001-57012 57301-57316 57601-57605 |
| Nicknames |
Thunderbirds Body Snatchers Zombies |
| First run | 1999 |
| Disposition | 31 in service, 6 stored |
The Class 57 diesel locomotives were re-manufactured by Brush Traction, Loughborough between 1998 and 2004 from Class 47s. The locomotives were fitted with re-conditioned EMD engines and the same model of traction alternator as that fitted to the Class 56.
The Class 57 is a re-engineered locomotive, rebuilt by Brush Traction, Loughborough from redundant Class 47 locomotives. The locomotives are fitted with a refurbished EMD engine and a re-conditioned alternator, improving reliability and performance. Three variants exist, one for freight and two for passenger operations. Each cost £300,000, about one-third that of a new build locomotive.
The class has its origins in 1997 when Freightliner ordered an initial six locomotives. In 2001, a prototype locomotive was converted with electric train heating, with a view to obtaining orders from passenger companies.
Direct Rail Services currently operate nine class 57/0s, comprising 57002-57003 and 57007-57012 leased from Porterbrook and 57004 purchased outright as an insurance replacement for 37515 in 2008. DRS took 57302, 57305 and 57309 from Porterbrook in April 2012 on a three-year lease. Since December 2012, Direct Rail Services have provided haulage for Virgin Trains. As part of the deal another three class 57/3s were leased. In July 2014, DRS took over the leases of the remaining six class 57/3s from Network Rail.
The 57's are used on the Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) during the autumn periods. DRS hires out some of The non Thunderbird 57/3's to Great Western Railway to cover when the Class 57/6 break down.
57307 Lady Penelope kept her nameplate after been handed to DRS in 2013 as 57307 was a favorite with the head of DRS. 57307 was out shopped in "Cable Thieves: We're Watching You" vinyls. In 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of DRS 57307 was chosen to carry the anniversary livery. She was vinyled at Carlisle Kingsmoor DRS depot during the Open day to mark 20 years of the company.
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Wikipedia