57309 Brains
Virgin liveried Class 57/3 57309 'Brains' crosses Smardale Viaduct on 1st April 2007 with 1S15 Euston to Glasgow
57309 was built as D1931 at Brush, Loughborough Works in 1966, works number BR693 of 1966. Delivered to British Railways Cardiff Canton depot. In 1973 under TOPS she became 47254. ETH conversion came in 1986, along with long range fuel tanks. Renumbering to 47651, she was sent to Gateshead, then Eastfield, then Bristol Bath Road as the new InterCity sector dallied over where there fleet should be based.
In 1989 InterCity opted to fit long range fuel tanks to the majority of it's locomotives, and number them 47801 - 47851. 47651 therefore became 47806. Upon privatization, she passed to Porterbrook leasing, and was leased to Virgin Cross Country. She remained in service until 2002.
Rebuilt at Brush Loughborough Works in 2003 with General Motors 12-645F3B power units and refurbished Class 56 alternators. Initially released without Delner couplers and the name 'Brains' in the Thunderbirds theme adopted by Virgin West Coast. In 2012 she passed to Direct Rail Services, who took over the Thunderbird responsibility. and renamed 'Pride of Crewe'.
57309 Brains
Virgin liveried Class 57/3 57309 'Brains' crosses Smardale Viaduct on 1st April 2007 with 1S15 Euston to Glasgow
57309 was built as D1931 at Brush, Loughborough Works in 1966, works number BR693 of 1966. Delivered to British Railways Cardiff Canton depot. In 1973 under TOPS she became 47254. ETH conversion came in 1986, along with long range fuel tanks. Renumbering to 47651, she was sent to Gateshead, then Eastfield, then Bristol Bath Road as the new InterCity sector dallied over where there fleet should be based.
In 1989 InterCity opted to fit long range fuel tanks to the majority of it's locomotives, and number them 47801 - 47851. 47651 therefore became 47806. Upon privatization, she passed to Porterbrook leasing, and was leased to Virgin Cross Country. She remained in service until 2002.
Rebuilt at Brush Loughborough Works in 2003 with General Motors 12-645F3B power units and refurbished Class 56 alternators. Initially released without Delner couplers and the name 'Brains' in the Thunderbirds theme adopted by Virgin West Coast. In 2012 she passed to Direct Rail Services, who took over the Thunderbird responsibility. and renamed 'Pride of Crewe'.