Class 60 Profile
British Rail Engineering Ltd. and Brush Electrical Type 5
During the 1980s British Railway's freight operations were divided into various Railfreight Sectors including: Aggregates, Coal, Metals and Petroleum. At the same time the British government indicated that Railfreight should be yeilding a return on capital of some 5% by 1990. However, the old rolling stock in service could not produce the required yield, even the newer Class 56 and Class 58 designs failing to achieve the levels of availability and reliability required.
In August 1987, BR invited tenders for the construction of 100 high powered Type 5 heavy freight locomotives, along with a performance requirement which were very specific. Installed power was to be in the range 2,200-2,400kW and capable of hauling trains of 4,000 tonnes at 100kph; start one of 2,800 tonnes on a 1 in 10 gradient: a minimum starting traction effort of 92,169lbs; maximum weight of 126 tonnes.
After receiving tenders from various companies, the Brush offer was accepted, although some people would would have preferred a design based on the successful Class 59. Brush undertook all design work and constructed a full size wooden mock-up of the loco. The cab layout was based on the Class 58 to ensure some standardisation and familiarity for the drivers.
The engine choosen was the Mirrlees Blackstone MB275 which had a proven record in marine and industrial use, together with experience gained during trials with a six cylinder version in four Class 37 locos. As maintenance accounts for 40% of operating costs, it was expected that the engine, with only eight cylinders, would be cheaper to maintain than the Class 56 and 58 with their 16 and 12 cylinders respectively.
The Class 60 body is divided into three main sections, plus two cabs. The structure being of stressed skin monocoque form, two bodysides forming the main load bearing members. Vertical and diagonal pillars connect the main structural units and provide additional regidity. The bogies, based on proven units, are derived from the designs successfully used on the Class 56 and electric Class 89 locomotives. The bogie frames are constructed from fabricated steel plate with top and bottom plates being cut from a single plate. Coil springs provide for primary suspension at the axles while secondary suspension between bogie and structure consists of four laminated rubber/steel sacks which support the body and a further two sacks mounted fore and aft of the traction centre.
The initial allocation was split across the various Railfreight Sectors, the majority however going to the Coal Sector, based at Toton depot. They occasionally stray onto passenger work. They have often been called on to assist failed trains including HST sets, and weekend engineering operations gave rise to their use on diverted WCML traffic.
BUILT: 1989-91 by Brush Electrical at Loughborough Works
Total Built 100.
ENGINE: Mirrlees Blackstone 8MB275T 3,100hp.
NUMBER SERIES: 60001-60100.
PREVIOUS NUMBERS: NIL.
TRANSMISSION: Brush Separately Excited Traction Motors.
MAX SPEED: 60mph.
TRACTIVE EFFORT: 106,500lb.
WEIGHT: 126 tonnes.
WHEEL ARRANGEMENT: Co-Co 3'8" dia.
FLEET STRENGTH: 100 (14 November 1998)
PC TOPS Current Locomotive Motive Power Details - Class 60
Loco Name Details - Class 60 (some locos carried more than one name)
Data taken from the PC TOPS Locomotive Database System by Milburn Associates
NUMBER NAME DATE NAMED
60001 Steadfast 29/08/1991
60002 Capability Brown 08/12/1992
60002 High Peak 23/02/1998
60003 Christopher Wren 30/01/1992
60003 Freight Transport Association 14/05/1997
60004 Lochnagar 08/06/1991
60005 Skiddaw 25/04/1991
60006 Great Gable 23/04/1990
60006 Scunthorpe Ironmaster 17/07/1997
60007 Robert Adam 05/02/1993
60008 Moel Fammau 11/12/1992
60008 Gypsum Queen II 27/09/1995
60009 Carnedd Dafydd 11/02/1993
60010 Pumlumon/Plynlimon 21/01/1991
60011 Cader Idris 11/10/1991
60011 Calder Idris 01/03/1996
60012 Glyder Fawr 22/11/1991
60013 Robert Boyle 29/01/1993
60014 Alexander Fleming 06/01/1993
60015 Bow Fell 24/03/1993
60016 Langdale Pikes 09/02/1993
60017 Arenig Fawr 30/10/1990
60017 Shotton Works Centenary Year 1996 08/11/1996
60018 Moel Siabod 30/10/1990
60019 Wild Boar Fell 03/12/1990
60020 Great Whernside 31/01/1991
60021 Pen-y-Ghent 14/12/1990
60022 Ingleborough 02/01/1991
60023 The Cheviot 08/11/1990
60024 Elizabeth Fry 17/12/1991
60025 Joseph Lister 12/12/1990
60026 William Caxton 12/12/1990
60027 Joseth Banks 07/02/1991
60028 John Flamsteed 09/11/1990
60029 Ben Nevis 26/11/1990
60029 Clitheroe Castle 04/07/1998
60030 Cir Mhor 21/11/1990
60031 Ben Lui 02/05/1991
60032 William Bramwell Booth 03/12/1990
60033 Anthony Ashley Cooper 22/02/1991
60033 Tees Steel Express 17/07/1997
60034 Carnedd Llewelyn 12/12/1990
60035 Florence Nightingale 23/04/1991
60036 Sgurr na Ciche 25/06/1991
60037 Helvellyn 04/04/1991
60037 Aberthaw/Aberddawan 24/05/1997
60038 Bidean Nam Bian 04/03/1991
60039 Glastonbury Tor 09/05/1991
60040 Brecon Beacons 06/02/1992
60041 High Willhays 20/06/1991
60042 Dunkery Beacon 29/05/1991
60043 Yes Tor 26/06/1991
60044 Aisla Craig 03/07/1991
60044 Ailsa Craig 01/03/1996
60045 Josephine Butler 25/03/1991
60045 The Permanent Way Institution 08/11/1997
60046 William Wilberforce 04/04/1991
60047 Robert Owen 04/04/1991
60048 Saddleback 30/04/1991
60048 Eastern 29/08/1997
60049 Scafell 07/05/1991
60050 Roseberry Topping 08/03/1991
60051 Mary Somerville 10/04/1991
60052 Goat Fell 09/05/1991
60052 Tower Colliery - The last deep mine in Wales 25/08/1998
60053 John Reith 25/04/1991
60053 Nordic Terminal 24/02/1997
60054 Charles Babbage 03/05/1991
60055 Thomas Barnado 06/06/1991
60056 William Beveridge 24/05/1991
60057 Adam Smith 01/06/1991
60058 John Howard 07/06/1991
60059 Samuel Plimsol 05/07/1991
60059 Swinden Dalesman 20/06/1995
60060 James Watt 28/06/1991
60061 Alexander Graham Bell 06/06/1991
60062 Samuel Johnson 17/06/1991
60063 James Murray 13/06/1991
60064 Back Tor 28/08/1991
60065 Kinder Low 17/09/1991
60066 John Logie Baird 22/08/1991
60067 James Clerk Maxwell 20/09/1991
60068 Charles Darwin 16/10/1991
60069 Humphry Davy 02/09/1991
60070 John Loudon McAdam 28/10/1991
60071 Dorothy Garrod 19/09/1991
60072 Cairn Toul 21/10/1991
60073 Cairn Gorm 22/11/1991
60074 Braeriach 25/11/1991
60075 Liathach 04/12/1991
60076 Suilven 22/11/1991
60077 Canisp 01/12/1991
60078 Stac Pollaidh 26/11/1991
60079 Foinaven 17/01/1992
60080 Kinder Scout 23/11/1991
60081 Bleaklow Head 03/12/1991
60082 Mam Tor 03/12/1991
60082 Hillhead '93 15/06/1993
60082 Mam Tor 18/06/1993
60083 Shining Tor 27/03/1992
60083 Mountsorrel 30/08/1998
60084 Cross Fell 11/01/1993
60085 Axe Edge 13/12/1991
60086 Schiehallion 16/01/1992
60087 Siloch 18/12/1991
60088 Buachaille Etive Mor 20/01/1992
60089 Arcuil 08/01/1992
60090 Quinag 03/02/1992
60091 An Teallach 03/02/1992
60092 Reginald Munns 31/01/1992
60093 John Stirk 21/02/1992
60094 Tryfan 20/02/1992
60095 Crib Goch 13/03/1992
60096 Ben Macdui 13/05/1992
60097 Pillar 22/12/1992
60098 Charles Francis Brush 22/12/1992
60099 Boar of Badenoch 18/12/1992
60100 Ben More Assynt 09/12/1992
Unless stated otherwise Photographs in this section are © copyright of Milburn Associates. Permission to use these images in railway society newsletters, etc., can be obtained by e-mailing the Thin Controller.
![[60091]](/library/diesel/locos/60091_s.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60091 size 22K]
Class 60 60091 An Teallach in the now redundant Railfreight Coal Sector Livery
![[60080]](/library/diesel/locos/60080_s.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60080 size 29K]
Class 60 60080 Kinder Scout in Transrail Livery approaches Carlisle Station on a northbound Oil Train
![[60078]](/library/diesel/locos/60078_s.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60078 size 25K]
Class 60 60078 formerly named Stac Pollaidh, in Mainline Blue Livery departing Carlisle Station Platform 3 on a southbound Coal train
![[60053]](/library/diesel/locos/60053_s.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60053 size 26K]
Class 60 60053 Nordic Terminal in English Scottish & Welsh Railway Livery approaches Carlisle Station Platform 1 on a northbound Coal Empties Train
![[60091]](/library/diesel/locos/60091.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60091 size 22K]
![[60080]](/library/diesel/locos/60080.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60080 size 29K]
![[60078]](/library/diesel/locos/60078.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60078 size 25K]
![[60053]](/library/diesel/locos/60053.jpg)
[JPEG Image of 60053 size 26K]
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