British Rail Class 57 Locomotive Conversion
UK (Loughborough, Brush Traction) · 1998–2004
The judgement call
Account-gated at launch* A successful example of extending the life of existing assets through significant remanufacturing, providing a cost-effective solution. * The versatility of the converted fleet allowed for diverse applications, from freight to passenger and rescue duties.
Key engineering challenges
* Adapting the Class 47 platform to integrate new EMD engines and modern control systems. * Designing and implementing electric train heating for passenger variants (e.g., Class 57/6). * Ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of the remanufactured locomotives.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Various leasing companies (e.g., Porterbrook) and operators (e.g., Freightliner, DRS, GWR)
- Lead contractor
- Brush Traction
- Lead designers
- Brush Traction
- Project type
- Conversion
- Scale
- Approximately 33-35 units remanufactured from Class 47s.
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems
- Standards & frameworks
- RSSB; Network Rail standards
Sources: * British Rail Class 57 (Wikipedia) * Key Model World (keymodelworld.com) * Railforums.co.uk * IMechE (imeche.org) * Doc Brown's Chemistry (docbrown.info)