British Rail Class 57

British Rail Class 57
Class 57, no. 57012 Freightliner Envoy at Ipswich on 31 January 2004
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction or BR Crewe Works; Rebuilt by Brush Traction Build date Rebuilt: 1997–2004 Total produced 33
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Co-Co  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 19.38 metres (63 ft 7 in) Width 2.79 metres (9 ft 2 in) Loco weight 57/0 & 57601: 120.6 tonnes (119 long tons; 133 short tons) 57/3 & 57602–57605: 117 tonnes (115 long tons; 129 short tons) Fuel capacity 57/0: 5,550 l (1,220 imp gal; 1,470 US gal) 57/3 & 57/6: 5,887 l (1,295 imp gal; 1,555 US gal) Prime mover 57/0: EMD 645-E3 57/3 & 57/6: EMD 645-F3B Engine type V12 two-stroke diesel Train heating 57/0: None 57601: Electric Train Supply index 95 57/3 & 57602–57605: Electric Train Supply index 100 Train brakes Air
Performance figures Top speed 57/0: 75 mph (121 km/h) 57/3 & 57/6: 95 mph (153 km/h) Power output 57/0: 2,500 bhp (1,860 kW) 57/3 & 57/6: 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) Brakeforce 57/0: 80 long tons-force (797 kN) 57/3 & 57/6: 60 long tons-force (598 kN)
Career Railroad(s) Freightliner Virgin Trains First Great Western Cotswold Rail Direct Rail Services WCRC Number 57001–57012, 57301–57316 57601–57605

Class 57/6, no. 57601 passing Brockhampton, north of Cheltenham, on 16 April 2005, whilst working a Bath–Skegness charter train. This locomotive was the prototype passenger Class 57, and is now operated by the West Coast Railway Company.

The British Rail Class 57 diesel locomotives were made by Brush Traction between 1997 and 2004. They are rebuilds, with new engines, of older Class 47 locomotives, originally introduced in 1964–1965. They are known as "bodysnatchers", or "Zombies" to enthusiasts, because the shell (body) of the class 47 has been stripped, rewired and re-engined.