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

56301 arrived safely at Burton yesterday after a trouble free journey in multi with 56302.

Thanks to Nemesis and West Coast for their efforts.

We will hopefully have some pictures to show the move in due course.

Cheers

Keith B

Subject to the usual disclaimers tomorrows convoys are Routed via Chesterfield  and  the first working departs

10:00 from Barrow Hill -arrives Burton 11:53

56302 + 47375 return light locos at 12:33 getting back to Barrow Hill at  13:50

and take another trip south at 14:40 arriving at 16:19

The Class 56 Group is pleased to announce that  56 301 has been mainline registered and is expected to perform its first duties during the transfer of Nemesis Rail stock from Barrow Hill to  their new facility at Burton Wagon Repair Depot.  56 301 will work in multiple with 56 302 and along with 47 375 will depart Barrow Hill around 10:00 on Thursday 25/8.   Arrival at Burton is expected around 11:30.

One of the 56’s and 47 375 will then run light back to Barrow Hill and operating in top and tail mode will bring the remaining stock south. Timings for this second trip are unknown at the moment.

As discussed at the recent C56G AGM, 56301 will probably remain at Burton in the short term  and detailed discussions are due to take place with Nemesis Rail about a possible arrangement which could see the pair of 56/3’s made available for hire. If that were to happen Burton would become the new base for the locomotive. If not the loco still has the offer of a home at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

Regards

Keith Bulmer

Class 56 Group

Obviously the dates and times of the move are subject to change , but any additional information will be posted on this site as and when it becomes available.