Bachmann Branchline 32-760 Class 57/3 57307 "Lady Penelope" in Virgin Trains Livery

Features working directional lighting, with a switch for day & night settings. After the privatisation of Britain's railways in the mid 1990's new operators quickly identified that the ageing fleet of BR locomotives needied replacing. Brush Engineering identified a low cost solution by re-engineering surplus Class 47 locomotives fitted with new GM power units that would provide another 15 to 20 years working life. In 1997 Freightliner decided to order converted Class 47's to help with their growing business. Classified 57/0 they were fitted with a GM 645-12E3 2500 bhp power unit; a new exhaust panel, a top speed of 75 mph and improved cab ends. 12 neamed locomotives have been built and finished in the company's green/yellow livery. Brysh Engineering then developed a passenger demonstrator locomotive, a type 57/6 for the leasing company Poerterbrook which carried a very distinctive silver and purple livery. In 2004 the locomotive was sold to the West Coast railway Co and is now painted in plain maroon livery with black stripe. In 2002 Virgin trains ordered 12 diesels classified as 57/3 with a revised power unit delivering 2750 bhp enabling a top speed of 95mph. they were painted in the companied distinctive livery of red, white and silver and as their primary fuction was to act as emergency rescue locomotives they were named after the characters in the 1960's TV series Thunderbirds. The order was increased to a total of 16 and now all the locomotives have been modified with automatic Delner coupling devices, fitted to speed up rescue operations. At the weekends the locomotives can be seen hauling passenger trains. In 2003 First Great Western took delivery of four 57/6 locomotives all named after castles to work the paddington to Plymouth route hauling passenger Mk II and III rolling stock.