Freightliner's immediate need for was for improved reliability from its locomotive fleet. In 1997 the company commissioned Brush Traction to rebuild of six of its Class 47's to create the Class 57 design, with reconditioned General Motors power units and reworked ex-Class 56 alternator groups. The first of these was released in July 1998, and coincided with the unveiling of the new British Racing Green Freightliner livery. After an evaluation period Freightliner was sufficiently impressed to order a further six in June 1999, with plans for an eventual fleet of twenty-five. However, in the event no more were rebuilt, with Freightliner switching to new-built Class 66s, with all leased from Porterbrook.