Atomic Systems

Ive got some rather exciting gossip from what has been a very reliable source in the past about the class 56s just returned from europe. With certain class 66s going the otherway to europe there is word going round that EWS may be bringing 30 odd ex fertis grids out of store to stand in as it would be cheaper than overhauling presently stored class 60s. These would be considered ample cover until the extra 30 66s on oreder were delivered from North America. Then the grids and 60s will be surplus.
Aparently they also looked at re-engining the class 58s but due to there body design it was an almost imposible task to pull off. EWS are reportedly also impressed at what Fastline have done with the 3 class 56s which EWS considered were 'too ill' for the european contracts. Prehaps they were a little hastie in retiring them? The friend who tells me this is seldom wrong so fingers crossed if your a fan of the electroputere's!

Sounds good, I never really got to see 56's in action. Shame about the class 60's though they're good pieces of kit AFAIK.

54 60's in store anyone got a brain at EWS.

its the long term cost of maintaining the £1,000,000 machines compared with the grids. Although EWS withdrew all the grids due to expence of upkeep!

rich, thats why EWS went interational. I believe it's a 1 million mile Warranty on the 66's GM throw out. What people didnt see during the EWS deliveries and the other Deliveries throughout europe was the Million of pounds worth of Spare part's the 66's are worth over a million each.

IIRC Freightliners 66951 and 952 are the most expensive NEW locomotive's to grace the import market and British soil's.

Yes the 60's were a pain to begin with and arguable the most expensive british built Diesel locomotive. The troubles doubled there maintainance cost's. but for there size and power the 56's are quite cheap, well the first 30 were anyway, but they had to be rebuilt 3 months after they arrived, not forgetting 56001 - 030 were built under Appalling candle light conditions, and Cheap in a remote area of Romania under a joint contract. Being assembled at the plant Power unit and All it was a truely amazing feat considering they only lost one transporter carrying a power unit for 56002 due to worsened conditions of the mountain road, im amazed that all 30 grids made it through the journey here. the 56's have earned there live's.

One can only hope that EWS will see jarvis as an inspiration to use them again and the 58's?, i believe EWS are slowly looking at 58005 for a future comeback but not in near future though.

Agreed, the class 60 driver l spoke to last week at Felixstowe was most adamant that 56s would return under EWS, the Jarvis contract had shown that there was life left in the old grids. Class 60s were not ruled out as well, good as the 66s are theres no grunt for 60 mph stone trains, so 60s will rule on those for the foreseeable future was his words.

Normally l'd take it with a pinch of salt but he'd just spent a week refreshing on 56s, so there may be some truth in the issue ?.

Best

Michael