Sorry for the long period without an update.  This has been due to pressure of work combined with the fact that there has been relatively little to report.

56301 has had cylinder head repairs carried out at Nemesis Burton. The defect was responsible for the heavy exhaust evidenced during the Swanage Gala in May.( apologies to Swanage which is still suffering fog even now!)   56301 is now running as she should.

In terms of mainline work  discussions continue  with freight operating companies .If and when a contract is been agreed an announcement will be made either on this website of by post to all C56G members.

The difficult job of repairing the frost damage suffered by 56101 ,whilst based at Dereham , has been successfully completed and the loco tested on the load bank at HNRC , Barrow Hill.

56098 at Shakerstone has had the oil throwing power unit disconnected , but the replacement is yet to be craned in.

A number of the 56’s recently purchased by EMR are expected to be moved to secure store at Nemesis Burton.

EMR purchased the majority of the locos up for sale (including long term Barrow Hill resident and former EWS Heritage pool loco 56006) with a handfull being sold to rail operators Euro Phoenix and BAR.

In terms of preserved locos 56007 seems to be the only loco purchased privately although no formal announcement on the new owners identity and their plans for 56007 has been recieved.

With all these sales and moves there are bound to be some interesting and no doubt unexpected developments.

Remember if you want to know the facts rather than rumour and speculation check the c56g website first.

To all C56G members , share holders and those of you just browsing the website  the C56G Committee wishes you all a very Merry Christmas.

Keith Bulmer

Chairman C56G