British Rail Class 57

57303 'Alan Tracy' in Londn Euston platform 7, coupled to the DVT of a recovered loco-hauled set. Class 57's were used to rescue loco-hauled sets before use of these sets ceased.

The British Rail Class 57 diesel locomotives were introduced by Brush Traction between 1997-2004. They are rebuilds, with reconditioned engines of former Class 47 locomotives, originally introduced in 1964-5. They are known as "bodysnatchers", or "Zombies" to enthusiasts, by virtue of the fact that the shell (body) of the Class 47 has been stripped, rewired and re-engined and as "GM"s due to their being "genetically modified" with General Motors equipment.

Class 57 (57307) "Lady Penelope" in Virgin Trains livery at Euston station.

Description

The Class 57 is a re-engineered locomotive, rebuilt by Brush Traction at Loughborough from redundant Class 47 locomotives. The locomotives are fitted with a refurbished General Motors engine, and a reconditioned alternator, improving reliability and performance. Two variants exist, for freight and passenger operations.

A view looking south from the northern end of platform 12 at Crewe railway station - this end of the platform is undergoing what appears to be rebuilding work. In the centre of the photo is a line of three of Virgin's Class 57/3 Thunderbird locomotives, headed by 57313 Tracy Island.

The class has its origins in 1997, when Freightliner ordered an initial six locomotives. In 2000, a prototype locomotive, number 57601, was converted with electric train heating capacities, with a view of obtaining orders from passenger companies.

57005 & 47810 pass Tupton with 6V95 Stockton-Cardiff.

Current operations

Arriva Trains Wales

In 2008, Arriva Trains Wales began operation of a daily express service between Cardiff and Holyhead utilising the company's stored Mark 2 rolling stock. To provide the motive power for this train, ATW obtained the use of three of Virgin's Class 57/3 locomotives to operate in "top and tail" mode. 57314 and 57315 have been painted in the Arriva Blue Livery, while 57316 has been painted a neutral blue. 57313 is currently at Pullman Rail, Cardiff Canton, being repainted into the same "Neutral Blue" livery as 57316.

57006 passes South Wingfield working 6E66 Cardiff - Shipley.

Freightliner

In 1997, Freightliner placed an order for an initial six Class 57/0 locomotives. The first of these was released in 1998, and coincided with the unveiling of the new British Racing Green Freightliner livery. After an evaluation period, Freightliner was sufficiently impressed to order a further six locomotives, with plans for an eventual fleet of 25 locomotives. However, in the event, only twelve locomotives were rebuilt, due to the purchase of completely new Class 66 locomotives from General Motors.

British Rail Class 57 number 57007 in Freightliner livery hauls a freight train through Northampton Castle Street.

The Freightliner fleet saw use over a wide area, serving locations such as Ipswich, Southampton, Birmingham, Cardiff and Leeds. The introduction of the class resulted in the replacement of the Class 47 locomotives on most long-distance intermodal trains.

57008 with 66425 & 66433 DIT passes Chesterfield working 0Z20 Crewe Gresty Lane- Barrow Hill.

Freightliner named all its locomotives, with examples such as 'Freightliner Pioneer' and 'Freightliner Phoenix.

Direct Rail Services Limited (leased from Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited) Brush Traction rebuilt former British Railways Brush Type 4 Co-Co class 57/0 diesel-electric locomotive number 57009 of Carlisle Kingmoor TMD stands on Number 1 Parcel Siding by York station with 57010 behind.

In 2007, Freightliner started to replace its Class 57s with new Class 66 locos. Initially, six Class 57s (the second batch) were returned to their leasing company, and were redeployed with DRS in July 2007. In July, a start was made on taking the remaining six (the original batch) out of service.

Class 57/6, no. 57601 passing Brockhampton, north of Cheltenham, on 16th April 2005, whilst working a Bath-Skegness charter train. This locomotive was the prototype passenger Class 57, and is now operated by the West Coast Railway Company.

First Great Western

In 2000, Porterbrook Leasing placed an order for a prototype passenger locomotive fitted with electric train heating. This locomotive, no. 57601, was leased to First Great Western (FGW), who were looking for a replacement for their elderly Class 47 locomotives, which were employed on the "Night Riviera" overnight sleeper and Motorail services from London Paddington to Penzance. After an evaluation period of three years, FGW ordered four production Class 57/6 locomotives from Brush, which were delivered in 2004. These new locomotives displaced the Class 47 locomotives, which were transferred to other operators. As the prototype locomotive was non-standard, it was returned to Porterbrook Leasing, who then sold it to the West Coast Railway Company. The First Great Western (FGW) locomotives have been having reliability problems lately, resulting in hiring locomotives from Cotswold Rail.

British Rail Class 57 locomotive 57602, stabled at Long Rock, Penzance.

The FGW fleet is painted in a green livery with a gold bodyside band, with cast name and numberplates. All four locomotives have been named after local castles in Devon and Cornwall, and operate solely on the Night Riviera sleeper service and standby and rescue duties, the Motorail service having been abandoned in 2005. In 2008 the fleet started to receive the FGW Blue, with 57605 the first to receive the colours and 57602 following shortly.

BR Class 57, no. 57304 'Gordon Tracy', at Crewe on 1st November 2003. This locomotive is owned by Virgin Trains, and is employed on diversion and rescue duties.

First Great Western now use Class 57s for use on the Taunton-Cardiff service. Class 57315 and 57316 and 57303 are used on the service. Class 57303 has recently been used due to 57316 failing on the first day of the service. The service began on the 14 December 2009 and will run untill the next timetable.

57313 at Tamworth on the 2nd January 2008. Low quality due to being taken from a video.

Virgin Trains

Virgin Trains put in for Class 57/3s were initially not expected to work in regular service with Pendolino sets except on diversionary routes, so therefore were not delivered with Dellner couplings. After their introduction, the class were then employed on regular workings to Holyhead and the decision was taken to fit Dellner couplings to the Virgin fleet to allow faster coupling on revenue earning trains. The Dellner coupling on the Virgin fleet allows easy connection to Class 390 Pendolinos in regular service and (including Class 221 Virgin Voyager units) in case of failure, breakdown or emergency.

57012 Water Orton with a freight train.

Virgin Trains have taken the convention of calling locomotives employed for rescue duties 'Thunderbirds' one step further by naming their Class 57 fleet after characters from the television series.

Virgin Trains (leased from Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited) Brush Traction rebuilt former British Railways Brush Type 4 Co-Co class 57/3 diesel-electric locomotive number 57307 LADY PENELOPE of Manchester Train Care Centre runs off the Up & Down Through Siding onto the Down Goods Loop at Castleton East Junction running the 17:40 (Additional) Heywood Ground Frame to Longsight CMD (0T58) with West Coast Railways traction inspector Albert Seymour about to hand back the signal line staff for the Up & Down Goods line.

From the clearance of the Pendolino sets for the North Wales Coast Line and December 2008 Class 57 locomotives were used to haul some Virgin services from Crewe to Holyhead complementing the Voyagers that covered the other North Wales services. The downside of this arrangement was that whilst the pendolino sets are longer and have the added advantage of running off OHLE when south of Crewe, coupling and uncoupling at Crewe added to the journey time. Since December 2008 with the cessation of twice daily pendolino services, Virgin liveried 57s have become a rare sight on the North Wales Coast however Arriva Trains Wales workings of Class 57 locomotives with their Y Gerallt Gymro express service have allowed the class to maintain a presence in Wales.

57315 "The Mole", a Virgin Trains Class 57 locomotive numbered 47234 before conversion, waits alone at a platform.

Since the completion of the West Coast Mainline upgrade works the requirement of Class 57s has decreased dramatically for Virgin. The 16 strong fleet are now finding other work with Arriva Trains Wales and Colas Rail hauling timber from Carlisle to Chirk.

The two Night Riveria sleeper trains pass at taunton, Somerset, England. 57602 Restormel Castle is stopped in platform 3 with the westbound service to Penzance, while the rear of the eastbound service to London Paddington can be seen in platform 5.

Colas Rail

From the start of 2007 until 31st October 2009 Colas Rail hired Class 57/3 locos from Virgin Trains. Starting in August 2009 a Class 57/0 was hired from Direct Rail Services on a trial basis for one or two days each week. These trials culminated in the use of 2 x Class 57/0 locos in multiple on 2nd, 3rd and 4th November 2009. On 5th November 2009 the current standard hire of one Direct Rail Services Class 57/0 each day became the norm. Although on paper the Class 57/0 is 2500 Horsepower, 250 Horsepower less than a Class 57/3, the 57/0s are able to keep the timings allocated to the Colas Rail timber trains by Network Rail. Unlike the Virgin Trains Class 57/3s, all sixteen of which were variously used on the timber trains, Direct Rail Services have specifically allocated 57002 to the Colas workings with 57008 as standby when 57002 is out of use for maintenance or repairs. To reflect this allocation 57002 has been fitted with a large Colas Rail logo on each side, just behind the non-driving side of each cab.

57601 near Claycross Tunnel working 1Z13 Scarborough - Stratford on Avon charter This must have been a private charter , only load 7 and all posh coaches.

Advenza Freight

Advenza Freight operated two ex-Freightliner locomotives, painted in the Advenza Freight livery, on a number of freight flows won by the company in 2008.

British Rail Class 57 diesel locomotive No. 57601 'Shiela' of the West Coast Railway Company stands at Platform 3 of Carlisle railway station. It had been transported to Carlisle at the rear of the Royal Scot railtour, hauled by steam locomotive LMS Princess Coronation Class 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, and had just hauled the coaches and 6233 back into the station, in readiness for 6233 at the other end to take the tour southbound on the return leg.

Advenza Freight was part of Cotswold Rail which operated some of the Class 57's donor locomotives, the Class 47. The class was seen most frequently on scrap metal trains but Advenza used their small fleet on a wide variety of other stock moves and deliveries.

A Class 57 ("Bodysnatcher") locomotive at York.

Advenza ceased trading in late 2009 and the locomotives are now stored pending developments.

Class 57/3 No 57303 "Alan Tracy" passing Bagillt, near Flint, on a Manchester to Holyhead service.

West Coast Railway Company

The West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) owns a single Class 57/6; the prototype passenger locomotive 57601. Purchased from Porterbrook following delivery of Class 57/6s to First Great Western, this is employed on WCRC charter trains, and is painted in the company's maroon livery, to match the coaching stock.

Fleet details

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

BR Class 57, no. 57012 'Freightliner Envoy', at Ipswich on 31st January 2004.

British Rail Class 57

Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Brush Traction or BR Crewe Works;
Rebuilt by Brush Traction
Build date Rebuilt: 1997–2004
Total production 33
Configuration Co-Co
UIC classification Co'Co'
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Standard gauge
Length 19.38 metres (63 ft 7 in)
Width 2.79 metres (9 ft 2 in)
Weight 57/0 & 57601: 120.6 tonnes (119 LT; 133 ST)
57/3 & 57602–57605: 117 tonnes (115 LT; 129 ST)
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 V12 two-stroke diesel
Top speed 57/0: 75 mph (121 km/h)
57/3 & 57/6: 95 mph (153 km/h)
Power output 57/0: 2,500 bhp (1,860 kW)
57/3 & 57/6: 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW)
Train heating 57/0: None
57601: Electric Train Supply index 95
57/3 & 57602–57605: Electric Train Supply index 100
Locomotive brakeforce 57/0: 80 LTf (797 kN)
57/3 & 57/6: 60 LTf (598 kN)
Train brakes Air
Career Freightliner
Virgin Trains
First Great Western
Cotswold Rail
Direct Rail Services
WCRC
Number 57001–57012, 57301–57316 57601–57605

In the centre of a line of three of Virgin's Class 57/3 Thunderbird locomotives in a siding at Crewe railway station is 57301 Scott Tracy. The locomotives' use in rescuing failed trains gave rise to the Thunderbird name and associated naming scheme in refernce to the classic 1960s Thunderbirds TV series. In addition to the traditional hook-and-chain, these locomotives are fitted with Dellner latch couplers that fold down to allow them to connect to Class 220/221 Voyager DMUs and Class 390 Pendolino EMUs in case of failure or, in the latter's case, diversion via non-electrified lines.

A line of three of Virgin's Class 57/3 Thunderbird locomotives in a siding at Crewe railway station. Closest to the camera is 57304 Gordon Tracy. The locomotives' use in rescuing failed trains gave rise to the Thunderbird name and associated naming scheme in reference to the classic 1960s Thunderbirds TV series. In addition to the traditional hook-and-chain, these locomotives are fitted with Dellner latch couplers that fold down to allow them to connect to Class 220/221 Voyager DMUs and Class 390 Pendolino EMUs in case of failure or, in the latter's case, diversion via non-electrified lines.

57307 Lady Penelope dragging 87019 through Water Orton.

Virgin Cross-Country Class 57 Thunderbird locomotive 57312 The Hood passes through Bristol Temple Meads on a light engine trip south.

At the head of a line of three of Virgin's Class 57/3 Thunderbird locomotives in a siding at Crewe railway station is 57313 Tracy Island. I presume the green stuff on the buffers is some sort of lubricating and/or rust prevention grease. The locomtives' use in rescueing failed trains gave rise to the Thunderbird name and associated naming scheme in refernce to the classic 1960s Thunderbirds TV series. In addition to the traditional hook-and-chain, these locomotives are fitted with Dellner couplers that fold down to allow them to connect to Class 220/221 Voyager DMUs and Class 390 Pendolino EMUs in case of failure or, in the latter's case, diversion via non-electrified lines.

57305 John Tracey at Euston Station, London, UK

Virgin Trains 57314, "Firefly", sits at Crewe railway station platform eight.