The Class 60

In the 1980s, British Rail decided it needed high power Type 5 diesel locomotives (locos with 3000hp or more) which resulted in the birth of the Class 56, Class 58 and this, the Class 60. Tenders for construction of the class were offered on 10th August 1987, and out of three contenders, Metro-Cammell, GEC and Brush Traction, Brush won the contract to build the 60s.

In all, 100 locos were built. They boasted a monocoque stressed skin construction with diagonal trusses, the external bodywork supporting everything inside each loco. The Mirlees engines peak rating is 3100hp, and each loco can achieve 106,500lbf of tractive effort, with a top speed of 60mph. When they were first introduced they saw an end to double heading on heavier trains like stone, ore and coal, and also saw some 56s and 58s withdrawn or transferred to other duties. Due to it's high tractive effort rating, the class gained a nickname of "Tug".

Upon privatisation, the whole fleet passed into the hands of EWS, who like they did with the Class 58, promised they would retain the 60 fleet as an operational fleet, then ordered a large fleet of sheds, and withdrew the 58s almost overnight. They have been trying to fully withdraw the 60s for quite some time, but there has always been a demand for the 60s on coal, stone and oil traffic, which the 66s just aren't up for. In 2009 there was a mass cull of the class which saw many examples laid up and Toton TMD, listed as "stored". Following this move, the Class 60 Preservation Society was set up with a view to purchasing and preserving at least one member of the class, and this was in turn followed by DB Schenker offering 25 locomotives for sale for disposal.

Since then however, yet another turnaround of good fortune has seen class 60 operation pick up again, and recently the Liverpool Docks - Fiddlers Ferry coal traffic saw a 60 on each of the two trains serving the station, one being 60059 "Swinden Dalesman" and the other this, 60013 "Robert Boyle", which still carries the older two tone Railfreight grey with large EWS logos akin to the Class 92 fleet. 60013 is seen approaching Warrington Bank Quay Station after screaming "like a bitch" past *irwingcommand at Earlestown bringing a full load of coal for Fiddlers Ferry power station. Note the glove on the lamp bracket...