The authors kindly sent me a copy of this newly published, 96 page A5 format softback book. With typically four informatively captioned colour pictures per two page spread, the scope of the book manages to cover the full history of the class. 56006 and 56301 both feature.Given it’s basically a picture book, it took me a surprisingly enjoyable hour or so to read.Available from www.amberley-books.com, it is priced at £13.49 but shop around and you’ll find it as low as £11.24!Highly recommended and joins the Class 56 section in the Bulmer railway library.
Thursday 30/08/18
With the Rail Head Treatment Train season just around the corner, 56078 has been tasked to haul the first two Colas Rail sets from York Thrall Europa to Coleham (Shrewsbury) as 6Z56 tomorrow (Friday). Full timings can be found here:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O34562/2018/08/31/advanced
Note the unusual choice of routing…
Thursday 30/08/18
Note: Yesterday’s news page has been updated, including clarification regarding the current situation with 56301.
56303 – Still at Wembley following damage sustained during an incident earlier in the year, the locomotive was inspected yesterday as a move to Eastleigh is being planned for complete assessment of its condition. It has, however, been discovered that there is severe damage to the centre casting and therefore movement by road is now looking likely.
Wednesday 29/08/18
(Updated 30/08)
Another ‘Grid’ to EMDC – GBRf’s 56018 has been moved from Leicester LIP to the sidings at the East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC) in Castle Donington this afternoon, haulage being provided by Rail Operations Group using 37611. The Class 56 Group’s 56301 was also hauled ‘dead in train’ in the consist of the 5Z56 formation, along with just a single ex-Eurostar ‘Nightstar’ mk. 3 generator coach. 56018 joins stored GBRf classmates 56081, 098, 104 & 312 which are already on site, whereas 56301 is to be held in reserve here until a time where it is required for traffic. This is purely to free up space at Leicester Depot and The Class 56 Group would like to make it clear that the loco has NOT been sold.
Grids back on the logs – With the transfer of the tenth and final class 60 (60002) from Colas Rail to GBRf having now taken place, the utilisation of Colas 56s on other traffic flows is now starting to become more prominent. 56090 & 56113 have been deployed to the 6J37 Carlisle Yard – Chirk Kronospan & 6C37 return timber flow this week, making their debut yesterday and routed via the S&C. The duo are in use again today on this train and should be working it for the rest of the week.
General traffic notes – 56087 & 56094 worked the 6M32 Lindsey O.R. – Preston Docks (Ribble Rail) & 6E32 return yesterday and today and should replicate this for the remainder of the week. 56302 has worked the 6R46 Grangemouth Ineos – Prestwick Oil Terminal & 6N47 return today.
Thursday 23/08/18
56103 – Spray painted, rather than vinyl wrapped as was first anticipated, the repaint of 56103 into DC Rail’s new corporate colours at Willesden is nearing completion. In a departure from the dark grey which was worn by former DC Rail fleet members 56311, 56312 and 31601, the new livery is primarily light grey / silver with black front window surrounds and a black roof.
56009 – A ‘guinea pig’ for GBRf’s class 56 re-engineering project, 56009 has been moved back outside at EMD’s Longport facility in Stoke-on-Trent. There are no visual clues to imply that any degree of actual work has yet taken place on the locomotive, the assumption being that it has merely been measured up ahead of work on its rebuild commencing.
Getting ready for Autumn – With Colas Rail set to expand their Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) operations this year, 56078 & 56090 have been used for some associated route learning this week. 090 worked the 0Z22 0800 Barnetby Sidings – Barnetby Sidings via Gainsborough, Worksop, Pinxton and Codnor Park Junction yesterday and the same working was then in the hands of 078 today.
General traffic notes – 56302 has seen continued use on the Grangemouth – Prestwick – Grangemouth fuel tank diagram both this week and last week. 090 & 096 handled the Lindsey – Preston Docks & return tanks on Tuesday, swapping with 078 & 113 yesterday. 090 then joined 113 in lieu of 078 on today’s train. 078 & 113 were also tasked to haul a rail discharge train at the beginning of the week, working Monday’s 6C77 Toton North Yard – St Mary’s Junction (Derby) followed by the 6C77 return during the early part of Tuesday morning. They then ran light engine to Barnetby Sidings.
Thursday 9th August 2018
Fresh Paint – 56103 at Willesden ‘F’ Sidings is currently being prepared for a repaint into DC Rail’s dark grey livery, similar to that currently still worn by GBRf-owned 56311 / 56312 and the now preserved ex-DC Rail veteran 31601. The 56 has been deployed on their spoil trains between Willesden, Calvert and Wembley since late July but will be out of traffic for a couple of weeks to allow the relevant prep and paintwork to be undertaken.
GBRf ‘Grids’ to Castle Donington – Operated by Rail Operations Group, Europhoenix liveried 37601 hauled 56081, 56104, 56312 & 56098 along with translator coaches 975875, 977087, 6340, 6344, 6330 & 6338 as the 5Z56 1330 Leicester LIP – Castle Donington EMDC yesterday afternoon. This was the first train to use the sidings at Castle Donington and all four 56s have been placed in secure storage there, pending further developments with GBRf. It is thought that one further 56 may be moved to join the other four here at some stage.
56301 – The Class 56 Group’s 56301 was in action on Monday (6th August), working the 0Z26 1127 Leicester Depot – Knighton Junction with Garcia Hanson’s 50008. Following an unsuccessful attempt on 24th July, the pair returned to Leicester Depot sandwiching 27059, departing some 69 minutes ahead of schedule as 0Z27. The partially-restored class 27 had arrived at Knighton by road earlier this year from Tyseley and was merely awaiting rail movement the short distance to Leicester.
56049 – The latest and second-to-last 56 to be returned to front line service with Colas Rail, 56049 successfully undertook its test run from Nottingham Eastcroft to Crewe and back on Monday, running as 0Z56 with classmate 56096 and Boden Rail’s 50017 & 50050 also in the consist for insurance.
Engineering Trains – Last weekend and the early part of this week saw a flurry of activity for the class on engineering trains, with no more than four engaged in such duties over the course of five days. On Saturday (4th August), 56090 & 56094 top and tailed the 6C73 0028 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction (Derby) and the 6C73 1013 return whilst 56078 & 56113 handled the 6C74 0939 Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction and 6C74 2020 return. 56090 & 094 then worked Saturday night’s 6C75 2038 Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction, returning on Sunday with the 6C75 0810 St Mary’s Junction – Belmont Down Yard. 56078 & 113 worked Sunday’s 6C76 0853 Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction and 6C76 2008 return.
56094 was then in action again on Sunday afternoon with the 6C77 1555 Belmont Down Yard – Spalding, hauling a rail discharge train along with DB Cargo’s 66160 which was dead on the rear (presumably to negate the need to run-round in Peterborough Yard). After performing a rail drop in the Spalding area, the set returned empty to Doncaster on Monday morning, diverted via Lincoln rather than the booked route via Peterborough & ECML and with the class 66 leading.
Scoring some rare track for the class, both Monday and Tuesday night saw 56078 make successive visits to the Scarborough line with some rail discharge trains. On Monday it worked the 6C88 2112 Belmont Down Yard – Seamer, returning on Tuesday morning with 6C88 0555 Seamer – Belmont Down Yard. This was followed by Tuesday night’s 6C88 2112 Belmont Down Yard – Malton, returning on Wednesday morning with the 6C88 0555 Malton – Belmont Down Yard. 56078 has now been dispatched to Nottingham Eastcroft Depot for some much deserved TLC, running light engine with 56113 from Barnetby Sidings as 0Z56 this afternoon.
Preston Tanks – With 70811 firmly in charge on Monday, ‘normal service’ was then resumed from Tuesday onwards again with 56090 & 56094 taking grip of the 6M32 Lindsey Oil Refinery – Preston Docks (Ribble Rail) & 6E32 return. There are suggestions that the ousting of class 60 traction from Colas Rail to GBRf could well result in class 56s being commonplace on such flows in the near future.
Saturday 04/08/18
Class 56 full fleet status as of this morning. Note that 56009 (at Longport) and 56128 (at CF Booths, Rotherham) are currently not registered on TOPS, so are therefore missing from this list.
56049 COFS NOTTM CMD NOTTM CMD F D
56051 COLS NOTTM CMD NOTTM CMD 1 D
56078 COFS DONCBELMD DONCBELMD F N
56087 COFS NOTTM CMD NOTTM CMD F M
56090 COFS STMARYSJN STMARYSJN C N
56094 COFS STMARYSJN STMARYSJN C N
56096 COFS NOTTM CMD NOTTM CMD F X
56105 COFS PKFORSTUS BRIGGSDBC N
56113 COFS DONCBELMD DONCBELMD F N
56302 COFS GMOUTH OT GMOUTH OT 7 N
56103 HTLX WILSDN F WILSDN F F N
56303 HTLX WEMBLEYYD WEMBLEYYD F N
56312 HTLX LESTER SD LESTER SD X
56032 GBGS LONGPTDBC LONGPTDBC F T
56037 GBGS LONGPTDBC LONGPTDBC F B
56069 GBGS LONGPTDBC LONGPTDBC F T
56311 GBGS LONGPTDBC LONGPTDBC F T
56018 UKRS LESTER SD LESTER SD D
56038 UKRS LESTER SD LESTER SD D D
56060 UKRS LESTER SD LESTER SD 6 D
56065 UKRS LESTER SD LESTER SD D D
56077 UKRS HUMBSTNRD LESTER SD D
56081 UKRL LESTER SD LESTER SD F X
56098 UKRL LESTER SD LESTER SD F X
56104 UKRL LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
56106 UKRS LESTER SD LESTER SD D D
56301 UKRL LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
56097 MBDL HOTCHLYHL HOTCHLYHL F B
Friday 03/08/18
56006 – Following recent inspection at the East Lancashire Railway, it is now hoped to have 56006 available for traffic again at the end of August.
56049 – Repairs all completed, 56049 is expected to undertake it’s mainline test run this coming Monday (6th August), with a schedule in place for it to run from Nottingham Eastcroft to Crewe (via Stafford) and back. Timings are as follows:
Nottingham Eastcroft 0930
Nottingham 0932
Mansfield Jn 0934
Beeston South Jn 0936
Trent East Jn 0940
Sheet Stores Jn 0942
Castle Donington 0948
Stenson Jn 0959
North Stafford Jn 1000
Clay Mills Jn 1003
Burton-on-Trent 1006
Wichnor Jn 1011
Tamworth 1017
Kingsbury Jn 1023
Water Orton 1027
Water Orton West Jn 1028
Park Lane Jn 1030
Ryecroft Jn 1052
Walsall 1054
Pleck Jn 1056
Darlaston Jn 1100
Portobello Jn 1103
Bushbury Jn 1106
Stafford Trent Valley Jn 1116
Stafford 1117
Stafford Doxey Junction 1118
Norton Bridge 1122
Madeley 1133
Crewe Basford Hall Jn 1140
Crewe 1143-1203
Crewe Basford Hall Jn 1207
Madeley 1212
Norton Bridge 1223
Stafford Doxey Junction 1228
Stafford 1229
Stafford Trent Valley Jn 1230
Bushbury Jn 1241
Portobello Jn 1246
Darlaston Jn 1249
Pleck Jn 1253
Walsall 1255
Ryecroft Jn 1257
Park Lane Jn 1317
Water Orton West Jn 1319
Water Orton 1320
Kingsbury Jn 1325
Tamworth 1330
Wichnor Jn 1337
Burton-on-Trent 1343
Clay Mills Jn 1345
North Stafford Jn 1348
Stenson Jn 1349
Castle Donington 1401
Sheet Stores Jn 1406
Trent East Jn 1408
Beeston South Jn 1414
Mansfield Jn 1416
Nottingham 1419
Nottingham Eastcroft 1423
Colas ‘Grids’ on Derby renewal trains – Two pairs of Colas class 56s (top and tail) are expected to work engineering trains between Doncaster and Derby St Mary’s Junction this coming weekend, in conjunction with the ongoing remodeling of Derby station and the surrounding area:
(Click on the head codes to view the full schedule for each train)
Saturday 04/08 – 6C73 0028 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction (arr 0200), 6C74 0939 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction (arr 1100), 6C73 1013 St Mary’s Junction – Doncaster Belmont Down Yard (arr 1136), 6C74 2020 St Mary’s Junction – Doncaster Belmont Down Yard (arr 2136), 6C75 2038 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction (arr 2200)
Sunday 05/08 – 6C75 0810 St Mary’s Junction – Doncaster Belmont Down Yard (arr 0936), 6C76 0853 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St Mary’s Junction (arr 1100), 6C76 2008 St Mary’s Junction – Doncaster Belmont Down Yard (arr 2127).
In addition to these, a single Colas 56 should be handling the 6C77 1555 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – Spalding engineers train this Sunday afternoon, returning early on Monday morning as 6C77 again. Next week also sees rare visits to the Scarborough line for the class on rail discharge trains from Doncaster, with trips to both Seamer and Malton.
Tuesday 24th July 2018
56301 made its first foray onto the mainline (under its own power) for some time yesterday morning, running as 0Z26 1127 Leicester LIP – Knighton Junction with 56081 to collect 27059, returning as 0Z27 1258 Knighton Junction – Leicester LIP. The 27 had arrived at Knighton by road earlier this year from Tyseley, the sidings here having been reinstated as a road transfer point as Leicester Depot itself is deemed unsuitable for such maneuvers. However, upon arriving at Knighton the 27 was unable to be moved and both 56s returned to Leicester solo.
56105 has swapped places with 56113 as the hired-in Peak Forest shunt loco for Victa Railfreight / GBRf, running as 0Z56 Crewe Basford Hall – Peak Forest on Thursday (19th July) with 56113 going the other way back to Crewe the same morning.
56096 has joined 56094 on the 6M32 / 6E32 Preston Docks circuit this week, replacing 56090 which was on the train last week. 090 is undergoing routine maintenance at Barnetby Sidings. All three locos again featured on engineers trains from Doncaster over the course of the weekend, with 096 working to and from Hemsworth Loop on 6C87 and 090 / 094 working to and from Sheffield on 6C52.
Next in line for reinstatement to front line service with Colas, 56049 has now moved pools from COLS to COFS, signalling the strong likelihood of a mainline test run in the very near future.
Monday 16th July 2018
GBRf’s 56069, which was last week moved to the newly formed GBGS pool along with 56031, 032, 037 & 311, was hauled from Leicester Depot to Longport as 0M70 on Friday (13th July) with 66781 doing the honours.
56090 & 56094 appeared on the 6M32 Lindsey Oil Refinery – Preston Docks (Ribble Rail) & 6E32 return diagram from Monday (9th July) right through to Friday last week and can be found on the same working today.
Four members of the class were engaged in engineering trains this weekend just gone. 56096 worked Saturday’s 6C80 2253 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard – St James Junction and Sunday’s 6C80 0800 Conisbrough GPLS883 – Doncaster Belmont Down Yard, 56090 & 56094 worked Saturday’s 6C52 2237 Doncaster Up Decoy – Sheffield and Sunday’s 6C52 0740 Sheffield – Doncaster Up Decoy whilst 56078 was paired with 60021 on Friday’s 6C55 2214 Crewe TMD to Blackrod (Chorley) and last night’s 6C55 0001 Euxton Junction – Crewe TMD return.