British Rail Class 69

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
• Commonwealth	Co-Co
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter	1,143 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Minimum curve	80 m (262 ft 6 in)
Wheelbase	14.580 m (47 ft 10 in)
• Axle spacing; (Asymmetrical)	Axles 1–2 and 5–6:; 1.950 m (6 ft 4.8 in); Axles 2–3 and 4–5:; 2.150 m (7 ft 0.6 in);
• Bogie	4.100 m (13 ft 5.4 in)
Pivot centres	14.480 m (47 ft 6.1 in)
Length	19.355 m (63 ft 6 in) (over buffers)
Width	2.792 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height	3.960 m (13 ft 0 in)
Fuel type	Diesel
Fuel capacity	5,200 litres (1,140 imp gal; 1,370 US gal)
Prime mover	EMD 12N-710G3B-T2
Engine type	Two-stroke V12 diesel
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Displacement	139.6 L (8,520 in3)
MU working	AAR system
Train heating	None
Train brakes	Air; (Davies and Metcalfe E70);
Safety systems	AWS; TPWS;

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electroputere, Romania; BREL Doncaster Works; BREL Crewe Works;
Build date	1976–1984 (as Class 56)
Rebuilder	Progress Rail, Longport
Rebuild date	2020–present
Number rebuilt	16 (ordered)

British Rail Class 69
British Rail Class 69
	The first-built Class 69 locomotive at Tonbridge West Yard
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electroputere, Romania; BREL Doncaster Works; BREL Crewe Works;
Build date	1976–1984 (as Class 56)
Rebuilder	Progress Rail, Longport
Rebuild date	2020–present
Number rebuilt	16 (ordered)
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
• Commonwealth	Co-Co
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter	1,143 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Minimum curve	80 m (262 ft 6 in)
Wheelbase	14.580 m (47 ft 10 in)
• Axle spacing; (Asymmetrical)	Axles 1–2 and 5–6:; 1.950 m (6 ft 4.8 in); Axles 2–3 and 4–5:; 2.150 m (7 ft 0.6 in);
• Bogie	4.100 m (13 ft 5.4 in)
Pivot centres	14.480 m (47 ft 6.1 in)
Length	19.355 m (63 ft 6 in) (over buffers)
Width	2.792 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height	3.960 m (13 ft 0 in)
Fuel type	Diesel
Fuel capacity	5,200 litres (1,140 imp gal; 1,370 US gal)
Prime mover	EMD 12N-710G3B-T2
Engine type	Two-stroke V12 diesel
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Displacement	139.6 L (8,520 in3)
MU working	AAR system
Train heating	None
Train brakes	Air; (Davies and Metcalfe E70);
Safety systems	AWS; TPWS;
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	80 mph (130 km/h)
Power output	2,390 kW (3,200 bhp)
Operators
Career
Operators	GB Railfreight
Numbers	69001–69016
Axle load class	Route Availability 7
Current owner	Progress Rail

The British Rail Class 69 is a class of diesel locomotives which are converted from Class 56 locomotives. The conversion work is performed by Progress Rail at their workshop in Longport.

The Class 69 was developed to fulfil the needs of the rail freight operator GB Railfreight (GBRf), which was unable to purchase additional Class 66 diesel locomotives yet sought more capacity in a similar performance band. The conversion of surplus Class 56s, which were available in sufficient quantity and in good enough condition to make the class a good candidate for the project, proved to be a desirable option, being more affordable than new build locomotives while achieving similar performance to the Class 66 post-conversion. Many of the new systems installed are similar, or identical, to those present on the Class 66, including its EMD 710 powerplant and associated control systems; this was a deliberate choice in order to maximise the performance similarities. Retained elements were refurbished to an as-new condition.