The origins of the Class 57 can be traced back to an order placed in November 1997 by the recently privatised freight operator Freightliner for an initial batch of six locomotives. In 1999, the rebuilding of a further six locomotives were ordered for a total of 12 Class 57/0 freight locomotives. Additionally, five locomotives of the Class 57/6 variant were produced between 2000 and 2003, while 12 Class 57/3 locomotives were ordered during 2002, and extended to cover four more units in 2003, making a total of 21 passenger units. During 2001, a single prototype Class 57/0 was converted with electric train heating for the purpose of garnering orders from passenger train operating companies. Current operators Direct Rail Services The mixed-traffic operator Direct Rail Services (DRS) currently operate nine class 57/0s—comprising 57002-57003 and 57007-57012, leased from Porterbrook, and 57004, purchased outright as an insurance replacement for 37515 in 2008. During April 2012, DRS agreed terms with Porterbrook to lease 57302, 57305, and 57309 via a three-year deal. In December 2012, DRS started provided locomotives to the passenger train operator Virgin Trains. Another three Class 57/3s were leased as part of the deal, however, two of these had entered warm storage within two years. During July 2014, DRS took over the leases of the remaining six Class 57/3s from the national railway infrastructure owner Network Rail. Great Western Railway During 2000, the rail leasing company Porterbrook placed an order for a prototype passenger locomotive fitted with electric train heating. During June 2001, this locomotive, 57601, was leased to the passenger train operator First Great Western, At the time, First Great Western were reporting searching for a suitable replacement for its elderly Class 47 locomotives. 57601 hauled Mark 2 stock on day services from London Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance—until these services ceased in September 2002—and on the Night Riviera sleeper service. After an evaluation period, First Great Western agreed to lease three production Class 57/6s from Porterbrook in May 2002, the first of which being delivered during November 2003. As the prototype locomotive was non-standard, it was decided to order a fourth Class 57/6 in 2003 and return 57601 to Porterbrook; this occurred in December 2003 after the first production Class 57/6 was delivered, after which 57601 sold by Porterbrook to the spot-hire company West Coast Railways. In mid-2015, First Great Western stated it had plans to obtain one more Class