The Class 69 is a rebuild of the Class 56 with an EMD 710 engine and updated controls and some equipment (similar to those used on the Class 66). GB Railfreight ordered the rebuilds from sixteen Class 56s they bought in 2018, some of which had been out of service for some time. Ten were rebuilt in the initial batch with an option for six more added later on.
The first Class 69 began trials on the Severn Valley Railway in early 2021. The locomotives began to enter service in 2022. The first seven locomotives were withdrawn from service in early 2023 to address some issues but following modifications were returned to service.
As well as GB Railfreight livery, a number of Class 69s have been completed in versions of heritage liveries.
69 010 on test at Derby, still in undercoat, later it was finished in GB Railfreight blue
69 005 approaches Kidderminster hauling two Class 73s
