The BR Class 60 is a 3,100 bhp type five locomotive manufactured by Brush Traction as a heavy freight locomotive. The Class 60 was designed for heavy freight operations in British Rail’s trainload division.
Due to the rigorously increasing rail freight business in Britain, a need for a powerful type five locomotive was recognized. In the eighties, the freight rail industry throughout the country experienced an upsurge, which meant heavier trains, requiring additional horsepower and tractive effort. During this time, BR did not have sufficient motive power, as the Class 56 and Class 58 were handling much of the heavy hauls, and much of the other motive power dated to the fifties or sixties, and did encompass the required horsepower.
Although the locomotives performed decently, these two classes struggled with wheel slip issues and were not powerful enough for the trainloads that were demanded. The Class 56, based on the Class 47 body, was constructed as a stop gap locomotive, however, after issues resolved, it became an ample locomotive. In 1983, the Class 58 was constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Doncaster, for use on heavier trains, mainly coal traffic. However, the Class 58 suffered from wheel slip issues, and was not performing to the caliber that BR, and their customers, had expected.
During this time, BR was on a strict budget and began considering rebuilding locomotives already on the roster, increasing horsepower and tractive effort in an attempt to save costs. As a trial by manufacturer, Hawker Siddely, new prime movers were placed into four Class 37s, re-classified as 37/9’s, which were equipped with Mirrlees prime movers. Additionally, manufacturer GEC installed two Ruston prime movers into two Class 37s. Although the performance was impressive, the horsepower was not sufficient for the duties requ