Recreate GBRF’S new Class 69
Dave Lowery recreates GBRF’S newly rebuilt Class 56, with the help of some bespoke 3D‑printed components and custom decals.
Bob Tiller, Engineering Strategy Director for GB Railfreight, has come up with a novel solution to address the freight haulier’s need for more locomotives. New-build diesels for the UK market are hard to come by these days owing, mostly, to the need to comply with emissions regulations and no existing ‘kit’ available to fit within our restricted loading gauge.
Clearly, a more creative approach was required, so GBRF has opted to add new EMD power units to an old but established fleet of ex-br Class 56 diesel-electrics. Thus, Bob has combined English and American engineering knowhow to create a fascinating hybrid. Importantly, though, it’s a design that can be maintained alongside GBRF’S Class 66 fleet.
Apart from the remodelled roof and cab fronts, plus a new grille on one side, at first glance there isn’t a massive outward change to the new locomotives – it still looks like a ‘56’. But when the engine is fired up, the ringing ‘ying-ying’ from the engine compartment is unmistakable! It’s a flippin’ ‘66’ in ‘Brush’ clothing!
A ‘69’ IN MINIATURE
Having been asked to produce some commemorative models for GBRF, I enlisted the help of Simon Brooking to produce a set of 3D-printed roof panels, plus some revised underslung tanks for the chassis. The engineers’ drawings were kindly supplied by EMD Longport. GBRF/EMD also supplied me with a colour livery diagram and I asked John Peck of Precision Labels to create transfers in both ‘OO’ and ‘O’ gauge – and a splendid job he did too.
Funnily enough, a small detail of the livery was changed on the shop floor at the last minute, with the US and UK flags being arranged differently to the original plan. As I’d already finished my models, I had to order some new decals and make some alterations. Oh well, these things happen…
For the ‘OO’ models, Hornby’s Class 56 was used as the basis for the conversion and it
was a question of removing the cab front detail, cutting out the roof between the cabs and then glueing in the replacement 3D-printed sections. The fuel tanks were also cut away and, again, new 3D-printed parts were installed in their place. The accompanying demonstration focuses mainly on the ‘OO’ models, but I’ve also captured a few interesting facets of the 7mm scale project.
Indeed, a different approach was needed in ‘O’ gauge, as Heljan’s new RTR Class 56 is not yet available, so I used a metal kit from PR Model Railway Products. Again, the cab fronts had to be flattened and, having built up the cabs and body, sections of the roof were cut out, one at a time, to retain structural integrity.
Sound decoders have been fitted to both ‘OO’ and ‘O’ models, produced by Bryan Robertson who creates the sounds for Howes Models. Instead of the usual screaming din you’d expect from a Brush Class 56, the pseudo-class 66 ‘ying-yinging’ is, to say the least, different.
Just as this article was being finalised, we heard the news that Bachmann is to produce a RTR Class 69 in ‘OO’ and ‘N’, although the timescale for delivery has yet to be revealed. In the meantime, why not follow my lead and create your own ‘69’? Trust me, it was great fun and hugely rewarding.