The Class 57 'Bodysnatchers' in the Midlands

Following privatisation, Freightliner needed dependable locomotives but couldn’t justify the cost of buying new ones. The solution came through Brush Traction in Loughborough, which rebuilt redundant Class 47s with reconditioned EMD 12-cylinder engines and refurbished alternators. The result was the freight-only Class 57/0. The first unit entered service in 1998, prompting six more conversions before Freightliner eventually moved on to new Class 66 locomotives.
The success of the 57/0 soon inspired passenger-sector variants. Virgin Trains introduced the 57/3 fleet from 2002, commissioning sixteen locomotives for rescue duties and for hauling non-electric trains. Named after characters and vehicles from Thunderbirds, they quickly became known by the same nickname. Around the same time, First Great Western added four ETH-equipped 57/6 locomotives in 2001 to work the Night Riviera sleeper service.
As rail operators updated their fleets, Class 57s were gradually dispersed across the industry. They have since been used by Direct Rail Services, West Coast Railways, GB Railfreight, Locomotive Services Limited, and Great Western Railway, which continues to operate the 57/6s on the Night Riviera.
Today, the Class 57s remain active on charter trains, sleeper services and other specialist duties—standing as a testament to how rebuilding ageing Class 47s delivered a cost-effective and highly reliable modern fleet.