The British Rail Class 57 is a type of diesel locomotive that was remanufactured from Class 47s by Brush Traction of Loughborough between 1998 and 2004. The Class 57 was produced in response to an order placed in November 1997 by the …

While remanufacture of existing locomotives is common practice in other countries it is quite rare in the UK. The Class 57, however, is an exception, having been rebuilt from the Class 47 two decades ago. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at this successful conversion and its subsequent service history.

The Class '57s' worked from the 14th December 2009 to the 2nd July 2010 on the FGW Taunton to Cardiffs Loco-hauled diagram (. Sadly due to poor reliability, the '57s' were replaced from the 5th July by DB Schenker '67s'.

Jul 16, 2024 · David Clough explains how the Class 57s came into being, and reviews their continuing relevance to today’s railway. When diesel motive power was divided between operators in the lead-up to railway privatisation, Freightliner received an allocation of 125 Class 47s, of which seven were stored and four withdrawn.

Aside from the standard freight variant with 2,300 hp, some were rebuilt as class 57/3 with 2,800 hp, electric train heating equipment and a higher top speed. Freightliner later sold its class 57/0 locomotives in favor of new-built class 66 locomotives.

The British Rail Class 57 is a type of diesel locomotive that was remanufactured from Class 47s by Brush Traction of Loughborough between 1998 and 2004 and was produced in response to an order placed in November 1997 by the recently privatised freight operator Freightliner.

Jan 28, 2010 · 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 57s in detail. 29th January 2024. A recent addition from Key Publishing is this colourful look at the Class 57 Co-Co diesels, examining the life and work of the entire class of 33 throughout their service.

Mar 12, 2025 · The Class 57 was devised as a low-cost way to create a "new" diesel locomotive [1]. Class 47s were gutted down to their body shells and then refitted with refurbished and reconditioned equipment including second-hand General Motors diesel engines and reconditioned Class 56 alternators [2].

The British Rail class 57 is a diesel-electric locomotive rebuilt from older class 47 locomotives from 1997-2004. They were built by Brush/GM in Loughborough and have General Motors engines and air brakes.