Class 69
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Class 69s are diesel locomotives converted from Class 56 by using EMD 710 engines. The locos were introduced to service by GB Railfreight in 2021.
69005 leads 3Q99 Tyne Dock - Slateford through Prestonpans. 69002 is obscured by the ever growing vegetation. 16/05/23 Photo by GuyHouston
- First visit of class 69 locos to Scotland was on Tuesday 16th May 2023, a 3Q99 Tyne Coal Terminal to Slateford Weed spray train transit move, with 69005 'Eastleigh' (BR lined green livery) leading and 69002 'Bob Tiller CM&EE' (BR large logo livery) on the rear.
- The next movement of the 69s and 3Q99 was an overnight weed spray train visiting Thornton North Junction, Dunfermline, Alloa and Stirling in the early hours of Wednesday 17th. The following night the weed spray train covered the ECML to Berwick-upon-Tweed, again returning to Slateford Depot.
- On Friday 19th May 2023 the locos returned south as 0Z69. It was thought 69005 had a fault, so 66743 hauled both locos from Slateford to Craigentinny Depot. From there, large logo 69002 hauled 69005 to Tyne Dock.
- 69001 'Mayflower' (GBRf livery with flags) was working top & tail with 66744 on the 3Q99 Weed spray train from Carlisle Upperby in June 2023. On the night of June 9th 2023 it worked to Dumfries. The following week it worked overnight trips to Motherwell, Kilmarnock & Edinburgh.