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Class 69
GBRf' sponsored Locomotive rebuilds using Class 56 body shells and bogies with all new internals.New GM engines and generators,cooler groups and control modules.Also fully rebuilt cabs in the style of the GM-Class 66's.16 currently on order or already in use.
The 12:22 from Mountfield Sidings to Southampton Western Docks to collect a load of Gyptum,'4Y19' is headed by GBRf's 69008.Nice to see these rebuilds are noe settled in and performing nicely.
..10 august 2023..
After a brisk drive from Upton Lovell to Clink nr Frome we were able to picture '3Q00' the 11:58 from Woking to Exeter-RS yet again after its reversal at Westbury.This time 69003 'The Railway Observer' was leading with 69004 on the rear sandwiching the weedkilling equipment.
..30 may 2023..
This was certainly a welcome surprise.Newly re-introduced GBRf pairing of 69004 and 69003 were assigned to work the weedkiller train from Woking down to Exeter-Riverside Yard for a program of weedkilling in Devon and Cornwall.The code being '3Q00' that departed Woking at 11:58 this morning.Certainly one of the workings of the year so far here in the Wylye Valley at Norton-Bavant.Thank goodness the skies were completely clear for this working instead of the usual dullness that normally happens!
..30 may 2023..
GBRf's Class-56 rebuild as 69003 'The Railway Observer' leads 3Q00' the 11:58 from Woking Up yard going to Exeter-Riverside via Eastleigh and Westbury.This is the Weedkiller train off to Devon and Cornwall for a week to treat the rampant weed growth on the tracksides.A further Class-69,69004 was on the rear of this formation.Viewed with the iconic Battledown Flyover as the backdrop.
..30 may 2023..
69001 'Mayflower' is the first Class-56 to get a full makeover in GBRf's program to acquire reliable locomotives.The only parts used from the originals are the bare body shell and the bogies.Everything else inside is brand new....Ironically this Class 69 prototype was also (when built at Crewe in 1976) the prototype for the UK built 56's as 56031 which was eventually named 'Merehead'. So here it is passing Mount Pleasant in Southampton with '4Y19' the 12:30 from Mountfield going to Western Docks to collect a load of gypsum. Got to be better looking than a US-GM?
..11 july 2022..
This is Frankengrid-69003 with '6Y83' the 18:22 from Southampton Western Docks going to Tonbridge West Yard with its load of Gypsum.Sunwise,so near yet so far.As the last wagon passed it broke through bright n strong for a good 10 minutes!!!!!!
..24 may 2022..
This is GBRf's rebuilt Class-56 as 69003 with '4Y19' which today started from Tonbridge West Yard at 13:05 instead of the more usual Mountfield.Here seen passing Mount Pleasant in the suburbs of Southampton.This being my first view of one of these rebuilds hauling a revenue earning working.
..24 may 2022..
This is GBRf's rebuilt Class-56 as 69003 with '4Y19' which today started from Tonbridge West Yard at 13:05 instead of the more usual Mountfield.Here seen passing Mount Pleasant in the suburbs of Southampton.This being my first view of one of these rebuilds hauling a revenue earning working.
..24 may 2022..
​GBRf's latest play thing 69004 stands in Swanage Station on display during the 2022 Diesel Gala sporting its nicely executed 'Research' livery style.----8 may 2022----