Tuesday 10th July 2018
Following a couple of unsuccessful attempts, the first number of class 56s purchased by GBRf were finally moved from Leicester LIP to the EMD facility at Longport on Friday morning (6th July). 66769 was deployed to undertake the movement, which ran as 0M70 conveying 56031, 56032, 56037 & 56311. These four join 56009, which arrived at Longport by road on the morning of 29th June from Shackerstone. In addition, a new pool code has been created for all but one of the 56s located at Longport, with 56031/032/037 moving from UKRS to GBGS and 56311 from HTLX to GBGS. 56069, which is still at Leicester, has also moved to this new pool from UKRS. 56009 is not currently registered to the system and hasn’t been for a number of years.
56090 has now been released into circulation with Colas Railfreight, double-heading the 6M32 Lindsey Oil Refinery – Preston Docks (Ribble Rail) and 6E32 return with classmate 56094, both today and yesterday. The pair should remain on this flow all week.
Thursday 6th July 2018.
A schedule has, once again, been inputted onto the system for the movement of the first batch of class 56s from Leicester to Longport tomorrow:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00050/2018/07/06/advanced
Friday 29th June 2018
Although the rearranged movement of GBRf class 56s from Leicester to Longport did once again not take place yesterday, 56009 (which is one of the sixteen sold to GBRf) was successfully moved away by road from Shackerstone (Battlefield Line Railway) to Longport, being sighted on the A50 heading westbound during the afternoon.
DC Rail’s 56103 made an appearance on the Barrington spoil train on Monday, with Garcia Hanson’s 50008 dead in train for insurance, this being 56103’s first loaded mainline freight working for some time. Although currently running sporadically, it is thought the trains will settle down into a more regular diagram again in the near future. Another trip is planned for next Monday (2nd July) which should feature the same locos.
Following damage sustained during an accident at Wembley earlier this month, it would appear that 56303 has been sold to UK Rail Leasing from RMS Locotec. The locomotive had been on hire to DC Rail but has also been used by Loram on Rail Grinder movements.
Wednesday 27th June 2018
**These moves were sadly CANCELLED again**
Another attempt at moving the first small batch of class 56s sold to GBRf, from Leicester Depot to the EMD facility at Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, should be taking place tomorrow morning. Timings are as follows:
0M69 (GBRf class 66 solo from Peterborough Depot)
http://www.realtimetrains.co.
0M70 (GBRf class 66 with presumably 56031, 56311 & 56037)
http://www.realtimetrains.co.
Thursday 21st June 2018
Last updated at 13:10
Unfortunately, the planned movement of class 56s from Leicester LIP to Longport did not take place today. Hauling locomotive, GB Railfreight’s unique ‘Maritime’ liveried 66727, arrived with 66708 (also bound for Longport for contracted maintenance) and 56031, 56311 & 56037 were marshalled between the two locomotives. However, they were later removed from the consist and returned to the depot sidings due to paperwork issues.
Colas Rail’s 56090 is undertaking another test run this afternoon from Nottingham Eastcroft to Sleaford and back, running as 0Z56 along with 56094, 50017, 50050 & 56078. Timings here. 56090 is tailing from Nottingham but will lead back from Sleaford.
There is a DC Rail operated wagon movement in the system for tomorrow from Leicester LIP to Willesden DC Rail Sidings, which may feature 56103. Timings are as follows:
6L01 Leicester L.I.P. 1125 Leicester 1128 Wigston North Jn 1133 Market Harborough 1146 Kettering 1157 Harrowden Jn 1202 Wellingborough 1206 Sharnbrook Jn. 1221 Bedford North Jn. 1230 Bedford 1231-1238 Bedford South Jn. 1241 Flitwick 1254 Harlington 1257 Sundon South Jn 1258 Leagrave Jn 1301 Luton 1305 Harpenden Jn 1312 St Albans City 1317 Radlett Jn 1324 Silkstream Junction 1331 Hendon 1336 Brent Curve Jn 1343 Dudding Hill Jn 1347-1356 Acton Canal Wharf 1404-1428 Willesden No. 7 1432 Willesden DC Rail Sidings 1442
Wednesday 20th June 2018
The first batch of class 56s sold to GBRf should be moving to Longport tomorrow (Thursday) behind one of their class 66 locomotives.
Timings are as follows:
0M69 (class 66)
Peterborough Maintenance Shed 0757
Peterborough Eastfield Jn 0800-0804
New England North Jn 0810
Helpston Jn. 0814
Uffington S.B. 0820
Ketton S.B. 0827
Luffenham 0829
Manton Jn 0834
Oakham 0837
Langham Jn. 0838
Ashwell L.C. 0841
Whissendine L.C. 0846
Melton Mowbray 0853
Frisby 0857
Syston East Jn 0905
Syston South Jn 0905
Leicester 0913-0918
Leicester L.I.P. 0920
0M70 (class 66 with four 56s)
Leicester L.I.P. 1000
Leicester 1004
Wigston North Jn 1010
Croft 1016
Hinckley 1022
Nuneaton 1028-1030
Nuneaton Abbey Jn 1033
Whitacre Down Arley Loop 1050-1058
Whitacre Jn 1100
Coleshill Parkway 1103
Water Orton 1105
Water Orton West Jn 1106
Park Lane Jn 1108
Ryecroft Jn 1132
Walsall 1134
Pleck Jn 1136
Darlaston Jn 1139
Portobello Jn 1144
Bushbury Jn 1201
Stafford Trent Valley Jn 1216
Stafford 1217
Searchlight Lane Jn 1222
Madeley 1234
Crewe Basford Hall Jn 1241
Crewe 1244-1334
Crewe South Junction NSJ 1339
Barthomley Jn 1342
Alsager 1345
Kidsgrove 1349-1408
Bradwell Junction 1412
Longport Jn 1413
Longport F.D. 1420
Tuesday 19th June 2018
Last updated at 21:00
DC Rail’s 56103 has returned to mainline traffic today, working the 0Z38 1030 Leicester LIP – Doncaster Up Decoy with Garcia Hanson’s 50008. It then returned south on the 6Z65 1415 Doncaster Up Decoy – Leicester LIP, hauling a single PNA wagon with 50008 on the rear. This marks 56103’s first outing under it’s own power since 20th April 2016, when it ran light engine from Bristol to Washwood Heath. The locomotive was then hauled, along with 56091, from Washwood Heath to Leicester Depot on 9th December 2017 by 56303.
Sunday 17th June 2018
GB Railfreight (GBRf) has this week confirmed that it has acquired sixteen class 56 locomotives from UK Rail Leasing Ltd (UKRL), along with a number of spares and materials.
The purchase, which includes a mixture of both serviceable and stored, non-operational ‘donor’ locomotives, is a result of the continued growth in the railway services that GBRf provide. The company could not confirm nor deny any prospective plans for re-engineering the locomotives at this stage, as this is still subject to the final contract. However, it has stated that some of the locos will be moved from Leicester to various locations across the UK for further storage pending the option of re-engineering, whilst a small number could remain at Leicester and returned to service as ‘standard’ class 56s.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109/29023902838/sizes/l
Above: A glimpse into the future? A rough idea of what a class 56 might look like in GBRf colours. Image copyright: Garry Luck (based on an original photo by Ben Wheeler).
In a statement by the company, GBRf Managing Director John Smith said:
“This is an important deal for us as it provides much needed capacity for our expanding business. At a time when rail freight is facing an uncertain future, GBRf is able to say it is growing and confident that the industry will overcome current challenges. With ambitious housing and infrastructure targets, growing consumer demand, and the need to reduce carbon emissions, rail freight must be ready to play a central role.”
Although exact locomotive numbers are yet to be officially identified, it is thought that they include 56007, 018, 031, 032, 037, 038, 060, 065, 069, 077, 081, 098, 104 & 106 from Leicester and also 56009, which is currently located at the Battlefield Line Railway along with 56128, which has been at CF Booth’s scrap yard in Rotherham since last year.
The Class 56 Group’s two locomotives, 56006 & 56301, are not included in this sale in any shape or form.
56301 arrived back at it’s home depot of Leicester on Wednesday evening, having been hauled from Tyseley by Garcia Hanson’s 50008. The move was operated by DC Rail and we thank them for their involvement in proceedings. Further news on 56301’s return to traffic will be made available as and when it is known.
56096 worked the 6C80 0740 Dore Station Junction – Toton North Yard engineers train this morning, conveying six JNA ‘falcon’ wagons of loaded scrap rail material. It had arrived at Dore with the empties from Doncaster Belmont last night.
In related news, Colas Rail have published an image on their Twitter feed of 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe’ inside the depot at Nottingham Eastcroft on Friday receiving attention, prior to the locomotive’s return to mainline service later this Summer:
https://twitter.com/ColasRailUK/status/997419862803828736
56303 has been out on route learning duties with DC Rail this week and should be working the Barrington spoil trip on Tuesday 22nd May, timings are as follows:
(Note: Locomotive runs light to Willesden on Monday as 0L01 1310 Wembley HS – Willesden DC Rail Sidings)
6L01
Willesden DC Rail Sidings 0424
Willesden No. 7 0428
Willesden Euroterminal 0433-0452
Willesden West London Jn 0457
Camden Jn 0505
Camden Road Jn 0512-0521
Camden Road Central Jn 0523
York Way North Jn 0532
Copenhagen Junction 0533
Holloway South Jn 0536
Finsbury Park 0539
Alexandra Palace 0550
Potters Bar 0601
Welwyn Garden City 0613
Woolmer Green Jn. 0618
Stevenage 0622
Hitchin 0627
Hitchin East Jn Signal K945 0630-0638
Letchworth Garden City 0641
Royston 0652
Foxton 0704-0707
Foxton Exchange Sidings 0712-0742
Barrington Run Round 0802-0822
Barrington Unloading Pad 0833
6M06
Barrington Unloading Pad 1123
Barrington Run Round 1133-1138
Foxton Exchange Sidings 1158-1229
Foxton 1234-1238
Royston 1250
Letchworth Garden City 1301
Hitchin 1304
Stevenage 1312
Langley Jn 1314
Hertford North 1336
Gordon Hill 1350
Alexandra Palace 1403
Finsbury Park 1410
Holloway South Jn 1412
Copenhagen Junction 1415
York Way North Jn 1417
Camden Road Central Jn 1420-1421
Camden Road Jn 1423
Camden Jn 1431
Willesden West London Jn 1436
Harlesden Jn 1439
Willesden Railnet Reception 1441
Wembley Yard South Jn 1445
Wembley EFOC 1450-1520
Wembley Yard South Jn 1526
Willesden No. 7 1530-1535
Willesden DC Rail Sidings 1543
Tuesday 15/05/18
Regrettably, Ruddington-based 56097 has been pulled from the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring diesel gala which kicks off this Friday. However, Colas Rail are kindly providing one of their class 56 locomotives as a replacement.
Full event information and timetable can now be viewed here.