Heljan HN5707 OO Gauge Class 57 309 'Brains' Virgin Trains Silver/Red

Heljan HN5707 OO Gauge Class 57 309 'Brains' Virgin Trains Silver/Red

PROTOTYPE/HISTORY

Brush Traction, Loughborough, has re-engineered the Class 57 from old Class 47 locomotives that were no longer in use. These new locomotives have a refurbished EMD engine and a reconditioned alternator, which makes them more reliable and efficient. There are three variations of the Class 57: one for freight (57/0) and two for passenger operations. Each locomotive costs £300,000, approximately one-third the cost of a new-build locomotive.

The Class 57 was first introduced in 1997 when Freightliner ordered six. A further six were ordered in 1999, bringing class 57/0 freight locomotives to twelve. Five class 57/6 variants were built between 2000 and 2003, and twelve class 57/3 locomotives were ordered in 2002 (extended by four in 2003), bringing the total number of passenger units to twenty-one. In 2001, a prototype class 57/0 was converted with electric train heating, with the hope of obtaining orders from passenger companies.

In 2000, Porterbrook ordered a prototype passenger locomotive fitted with electric train heating.

A 1:76 scale model of a Class 57 Diesel Locomotive is decorated in Virgin Trains livery. This model has many expertly applied details based on the prototype, a high level of body detail, and excellent running characteristics. The model features NEM couplings, a weathered paint finish, finely printed livery details, sprung buffers, sound readiness, interior lighting, an upgraded chassis, smooth running motor, all-wheel pickup, and directional lighting, smooth running motor, all-wheel pickup, and directional lighting.