GB RAILFREIGHT No. 69009, which was released into active duty in October still in its green primer coat, has finally received the attention of the Arlington Fleet Services spray booth at Eastleigh Works.
The Class 69 worked from UK Rail Leasing, Leicester, on the last day of January, and was shown off to the world in its new Class 52 ‘Western’-style paint scheme on February 23. This is inspired by the British Rail carriage maroon livery with half yellow warning panels and white window surrounds as carried by 71 of the 74 members of the class between February 1962 and May 1971.
The makeover has been completed with the addition of cast number and Western Consort nameplates in the classic ‘Western’ GWR serif style. The choice of nameplates is interesting as No. 69009 was previously No. 56060 (D1060 was Western Dominion); while the next locomotive for repainting, No. 69010, was rebuilt from No. 56065 (D1065 was Western Consort).
However, the transposed former identities is just a coincidence, and the final choice of name was made by GBRf CEO John Smith, with Western Consort his favourite of the class as a young enthusiast.
The general response as far as Eastleigh Yard on February 23, before hitching a ride behind No. 66782 to Doncaster, for eventual movement to EMD/Progress Rail Longport. This leaves No. 69010 still running around in its undercoat, and understands its repaint will not take place for at least a few more weeks.
