IE 071 classes possibly retiring in the next decade?

[228RiverOwenboy]

Since the 071 class will be reaching the age of 50 in around July 2026, would this mean that the 071s are getting closer to retirement? And crazily enough, they were built around when the UK's Class 43 were built and being put into service and they're already being retired with 70+ in storage as of 2021. Usually (depending on the country and reliability) the life span of a diesel loco would be 25-50 years, and they're already at the age of 44 years old; but there hasn't been anything said about their service coming to an end...

Edited March 20, 2021 by 228RiverOwenboy

[skinner75]

With the love that Inchicore shows to the 071 fleet, I don't see why they would have to be retired. As long as nothing major fails, the rest of the 'consumable' wear parts can be replaced ad infinitum. 

Emissions from the engine may be an issue in the not too distant future, but nothing a re-engine program couldn't sort out if the rest of the loco is sound

[DJ Dangerous]

Blasphemy!!!

Being serious, though, haven't all eighteen of them been heavily rebuilt over the last decade anyhow?

If so, they're probably more akin to twenty year olds rather than fifty year olds.

[Noel]

Are there too many places the 201s are weight restricted so the rebuilt and constantly over hauled 071s may have plenty of life in the old bogies yet? There aren't enough 201s operational to take on their duties anyway (ie the scrape line of 15x201s rotting away at inchicore)

[228RiverOwenboy]

On 16/3/2021 at 10:10 AM, skinner75 said:

With the love that Inchicore shows to the 071 fleet, I don't see why they would have to be retired. As long as nothing major fails, the rest of the 'consumable' wear parts can be replaced ad infinitum. 

Emissions from the engine may be an issue in the not too distant future, but nothing a re-engine program couldn't sort out if the rest of the loco is sound

To be fair, you do show a good point! You could always just re-engine them or find them a different use!

Edited January 10, 2023 by 228RiverOwenboy

[skinner75]

12 minutes ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

To be fair, you do show a good point! You could always just re-engine them or find them a different use!

-Codi

In the UK, GBRF are taking Class 56 locos, gutting them, and putting in new eco engines, generators etc., to form the Class 69:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdSC-WF-eNI

[228RiverOwenboy]

5 minutes ago, skinner75 said:

In the UK, GBRF are taking Class 56 locos, gutting them, and putting in new eco engines, generators etc., to form the Class 69:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdSC-WF-eNI

Yeah I saw that, can't wait to see them in service in the future!

[murphaph]

Can the 201's 710 engine fit inside an 071 without major surgery? It can't be that much bigger, they are both 12 cylinder engines. I'd prefer to see the 071s soldier on in that was a viable option. Though the way those EMD engines are built, the engine block is really just a frame for holding the wear parts, which can be replaced individually, so not even sure there is any point in such a donation programme.

[WRENNEIRE]

Reminds me of Triggers brush

 

 

[Noel]

On 16/3/2021 at 11:15 AM, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Yeah I saw that, can't wait to see them in service in the future!

Give it time, it may happen here too. We won't be able to buy petrol or diesel cars here anymore in only 9 years time. Climate Action may bring many changes to transport, hopefully economically beneficial ones. BEVs cost only 10% to fuel compared to fossil cars (for now). 

[DJ Dangerous]

Imagine another batch of 071's being ordered, aesthetically identical to the original batch for commonality of spares etc, but with brand new environmentally friendly innards! They could paint them in A Class lined green 'cause they'd be so green.