DRS 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine
Thunderbird 1 - Goliath
57301 'Goliath', the pioneer of the Thunderbird 57/3s, is pictured on the loading ramp at Kingmoor TMD during the Direct Rail Services Open Day 2019.
The locomotive is one of the most renumbered locomotives of the full DRS fleet. Originally outshopped as D1653 in January 1965, the loco would be renumbered to 47069 following British Rail's rationalisation to the class system. Following completion of overhaul which included the fitting of ETH in February 1986, the locomotive was renumbered to 47638. Further modification would follow in November 1989, with the fitting of long range fuel tanks, with renumbering to 47845.
In 2002, the locomotive was selected by Virgin Trains to become the first Thunderbird, returning to Brush Traction, Loughborough for an extensive overhaul to take place including the fitting of the Dellner Couplings to allow the hauling of both Pendolino & Voyager/Super-Voyager units, as well as fitting of a refurbished EMD Engine and a reconditioned alternator. The locomotive would be outshopped in May 2002 and named 'Scott Tracy', the pilot of Thunderbird One. Over 9years of service, the locomotive would provide valuable service Pendolino sets over the Settle & Carlisle Line when diversions of WCML services took place. In September 2011, the locomotive was sold to Arriva Trains and then later to Network Rail, from whom Direct Rail Services acquired the loco in July 2014 to assist with Thunderbird contracts. Following acquisition, the locomotive would be rapidly repainted into the blue base livery following which the 'fade' scheme, as pictured, was instated on the body sides, outshopped in September 2014 and named 'Goliath'. She certainly has lived up to her name over the years, and is now on long-term lease to Rail Operations Group for the movement of EMUs and stock, since November 2019.
Thunderbird 1 - Goliath
57301 'Goliath', the pioneer of the Thunderbird 57/3s, is pictured on the loading ramp at Kingmoor TMD during the Direct Rail Services Open Day 2019.
The locomotive is one of the most renumbered locomotives of the full DRS fleet. Originally outshopped as D1653 in January 1965, the loco would be renumbered to 47069 following British Rail's rationalisation to the class system. Following completion of overhaul which included the fitting of ETH in February 1986, the locomotive was renumbered to 47638. Further modification would follow in November 1989, with the fitting of long range fuel tanks, with renumbering to 47845.
In 2002, the locomotive was selected by Virgin Trains to become the first Thunderbird, returning to Brush Traction, Loughborough for an extensive overhaul to take place including the fitting of the Dellner Couplings to allow the hauling of both Pendolino & Voyager/Super-Voyager units, as well as fitting of a refurbished EMD Engine and a reconditioned alternator. The locomotive would be outshopped in May 2002 and named 'Scott Tracy', the pilot of Thunderbird One. Over 9years of service, the locomotive would provide valuable service Pendolino sets over the Settle & Carlisle Line when diversions of WCML services took place. In September 2011, the locomotive was sold to Arriva Trains and then later to Network Rail, from whom Direct Rail Services acquired the loco in July 2014 to assist with Thunderbird contracts. Following acquisition, the locomotive would be rapidly repainted into the blue base livery following which the 'fade' scheme, as pictured, was instated on the body sides, outshopped in September 2014 and named 'Goliath'. She certainly has lived up to her name over the years, and is now on long-term lease to Rail Operations Group for the movement of EMUs and stock, since November 2019.