Class 69 Profile and Models

In June 2018, GB Railfreight purchased 16 Class 56 locomotives from UK Rail Leasing, many of which had been out of use for a number of years. It was announced that the locomotives would be rebuilt as Class 69s by Progress Rail, with the existing Ruston-Paxman RK3 engine replaced by an EMD 710 12 cylinder powerplant, with updated electronic controls based on those used in the Class 66 also due to be installed. Five locomotives have been rebuilt, with five more planned, and an option for a further six. GBRF stated that a complete rebuild and re-engine of each locomotive would be cheaper than buying brand new locomotives and shipping them in from abroad. 69001 was trialled on the Severn Valley Railway in February 2021 prior to painting at Eastleigh in June 2021.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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Total Rebuilt

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Surviving Examples