Sorry about the lack of recent updates.

First of all sorry about the dud gen regarding 56301 venturing out with the scrap train. Understandably BAR’s are using 56312 for these trains at the moment and 56301 and 56302 are at Burton awaiting any work which may come along.

Last report was that 56101 is in a satin black finish all over including the cab fronts , and looks rather like one of those pre production models often seen at model railway exhibitions. 

More 56’s continue to arrive at Burton from Crewe, some of them travelling via EMR Kingsbury to drop off not so lucky classmates.

Cheers

Keith Bulmer

Sorry for the late notice but it looks quite likely that our locomotive could be venturing out from its base at Burton on Trent on its first mainline run during the course of today.

It will head light engine to Cardiff where it will join 56302 and come back north on the empty scrap wagons . These are headed for Shipley but it is unclear at this point if they will work back to Shipley later in the week. 

Sorry we have no timings at this point but hopefully we can post some for the Cardiff – Burton leg if anyone wants to go out an witness 301 on its first train.

Of course things change on the railway so the above information is given based on best available info !

Cheers

Keith

56018 was moved from Warrington to Burton today , hauled by 47854.

The 56 had stood for a considerable time at Warrington after developing a brake fault whilst being transferred from Wembly yard to Crewe Diesel Depot after its tour of duty with Ferrtis came to an end.

56302 should be out and about on the Shipley- Cardiff Tidal scrap train over the next couple of days.

Keith

In addition to the movement of 56060 and 56081 from Crewe to Burton today it is expected that the following moves will also take place:-

Thursday 15th March – rail move of 56018 from Warrington to Burton- NOW LOOKS LIKE THIS WILL BE WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH

Monday 26th March – 56007 by road from Crewe Electric Depot to Burton

It is also likely 56069 which is boxed in at Crewe will eventually be freed and make the move to Burton to join the growing fleet of 56s based there.

Please note these moves may change at the last minute or be cancelled altogether- please check here for further confirmation nearer the dates.

47375 + 56302 have been sent to Cornwall again. With the 47  leading and 56302 shut down  the pair left Burton at 10:18 this morning.

The pair are due to bring back another raft of china clay tanks on Thursday and one as yet unconfirmed source indicates 56302 may lead on the way back?

56312 is expected to run light from Washwood Heath tomorrow to work a trial , 6Z69 1247 Burton Wetmore Sidings – York Holgate Sidings and  6Z70 return. Hopefully this is in advance of regular work for the set of wagons retrieved from Cardiff last week.

The following timings for 47375+56302 tomorrow and Thursday are reproduced here courtesy of WNXX/Ben Wheeler

 Wednesday 07/03

0Z22 PAR       08:40 BURNGULOC 08:58 STP WTHO
PAR             08:40
BURNGLWJN PASS  08:53
BURNGULOC 08:58

0Z23 BURNGULOC 14:10 PAR       14:27 STP WO
BURNGULOC       14:10
BURNGLWJN PASS  14:11
PAR       14:27

Thursday 08/03

0Z22 PAR       08:40 BURNGULOC 08:58 STP WTHO
PAR             08:40
BURNGLWJN PASS  08:53
BURNGULOC 08:58

6Z23 BURNGULOC 10:00 BURTON WS 19:21 STP THO
BURNGULOC       10:00
BURNGLWJN PASS  10:06
PAR       PASS  10:16
LOSWITHEL PASS  10:24
LARGIN    PASS  10:36
ST PINNCK PASS  10:37
LISKEARD  PASS  10:44
STGERMANS PASS  10:53
SALTASH   PASS  10:59
STBUDFREJ PASS  11:06
PLYMOUTH  PASS  11:11
LIPSON JN PASS  11:14
HEMERDON  11:26 11:40
IVYBRIDGE PASS  11:47
AISHXOVER PASS  11:51
TOTNES    PASS  11:59
DAINTON T PASS  12:06
NEWTONAWJ PASS  12:10
NEWTONABT PASS  12:11
TEIGNMTH  PASS  12:16
DAWLISH   PASS  12:19
DAWLISHWN PASS  12:21
EXETSTDAV PASS  12:32
COWLEYBDG PASS  12:36
TIVERTNLP PASS  12:51
TIVERTNPW PASS  12:53
WHITEBALL PASS  12:57
NORTNFZWJ 13:07 13:16
TAUNTON   PASS  13:23
COGLOAD J PASS  13:28
BRIDGWATR PASS  13:35
UPHILL JN PASS  13:49
WORLE JN  PASS  13:56
PARSON ST PASS  14:11
BTLWESTJN PASS  14:14
BRISTOLTM PASS  14:15
BRISTOLEJ PASS  14:16
DR DAYSJN PASS  14:17
NARRWAYHJ PASS  14:22
FILTON AW PASS  14:27
BRISPKWAY 14:34 14:43
WESTRLGHJ PASS  14:50
YATE      PASS  14:53
CHARFIELD PASS  15:00
STANDISHJ PASS  15:13
GLOS YDJN PASS  15:19
GLOSBARNJ PASS  15:22
CHELTENHM PASS  15:30
ASHCHURCH PASS  15:38
ABBOTWDJN PASS  15:48
SPETCHLEY 15:52 16:41
STOKEWKJN PASS  16:53
BROMSGROV PASS  16:56
BARNT GRN PASS  17:02
LONGBRIDG PASS  17:15
KINGSNRTN PASS  17:23
LIFFRD EJ PASS  17:25
BORDSLYJN 17:36 18:02
STANDRWSJ PASS  18:05
LANDORSTJ PASS  18:13
WASHWDH 1 PASS  18:16
WATERORTN PASS  18:24
COLESHLPW PASS  18:26
WHITACREJ PASS  18:28
KINGSBRYJ PASS  18:46
TAMWRTHHL PASS  18:52
WICHNORJN PASS  18:59
BURTON    PASS  19:05
BURTON WJ 19:12 19:16
BURTON WS 19:21

56301 has been refilled with coolant and has been running on the depot at Burton over the last few days.

Hopefully if any hire work comes along 56301 will be turned out and we’ll try to let members know as much detail as soon as anything firms up.

Cheers

Keith

As expected 56302 completed the final leg of  the working today(28/2/12 ) when she brought the 18 x RJA bogie scrap carriers back to Burton on Trent as 6Z56 09:23 Cardiff to Burton. The working was routed via Newport, Severn Tunnel , Cheltenham, Water Orton and  Tamworth . The wagons are to be stabled at Burton and hopefully more work for 56301 & 56302 will follow.

Hopefully if and when 56301 ventures out we’ll be able to give as  much notice as possible and members will be able to witness the event.

Cheers

Keith

56302 was out and about today when she worked a 06:41 0Z56 Burton – Wembley light engine move and then took a train of 18 JRA’s (bogie scrap carriers )as 6z56 Wembley – Cardiff  Tidal.  The loco should work back north with the wagons tomorrow (28th February) although no timings are known at the moment . The working was for BARS.

If it hadn’t been for the late arrangements 56301 was pencilled in to work the train but as she’d been drained down as an anti frost measure she wasn’t available in time . hopefully 56301 should make an appearance if the working repeats and BAR require a locomotive  to perform the duty.

Cheers

Keith

Hi All,

Those of you who are lucky enough to be members of the only railway group dedicated to the Class 56 should be finding your latest copy of Gridiron on your doormat within the next week or so.

I hope you enjoy it when it arrives.

Keith

We await confirmation but it is reported that the FASTLINE branding has been removed from 56301 & 56302 thus creating a new livery : Fastline -unbranded.

Europheonix owned 56115 & 56117 are expected to move in the near future from Bescot to Burton to join 56101 for preperations for overseas work .

 56007 and 56018 are also expected at Burton from Crewe Electric Depot and Warrington respectively. It is hoped 56301 and 56302 will go out to collect them and we’ll try to give as much notice as possible if this comes to be as we know many C56G members will make the effort to see the move. 

Interest in the class 56’s sold from the recent tender list is increasing and a number of the better examples could end up at Burton for storage and display to interested parties.

I’ll update more as things develop.

Keith Bulmer