Update 23rd Jan 2020
Bogies arrived at UKRL and 56301 is currently inside shed and worn bogies are disconnected in preparation for exchange which is to take place next week.
12th Jan 2020
GBRf have confirmed the donor bogies have finally been removed from 56007 at Longport and should be delivered to the wheel is the at Doncaster Roberts Road this coming Monday. A quick turnaround is expected and the bogies should arrive at UKRL Leicester on Wednesday.
The schedule for the bogie 
exhange work is not known at this time but UKRL will confirm once they receive the bogies.
Updates will follow and hopefully 56301 will be available for potential spot hire work if required.
Available on or ebay site at the following link.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/keith56129/m.html?item=303397158450&hash=item46a3e13e32%3Ag%3A-XMAAOSw08dd7q9R&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
The group took delivery of a 20′ ex shipping container for use as an onsite store and workshop.
This will greatly assist in looking after 56006 as we can transfer parts and tools required to be close by rather than off site or in a car boot.
The container was delivered by Lion Containers who I can thoroughly recommend for this type of purchase.
A further working party took place yesterday (Sat 30/11) and a start made on moving some of the items stored inside 56006. The loco was started and all systems checked and found to be operational. It is our plan to start the loco weekly to try and keep things warm and avoid the problems cased by damp and long periods out of use over the winter.
It is planned to se 56006 on a cople of diesel turns in Febrary, top and tailed with an ETH loco , to ensure the loco is fit and well for the Spring/Summer season
New dates added for 2020.
Please contact C56G via details on contacts page for more info or to make a booking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1DLVCOFceo
While riding 56006 during Fridays FXP I remembered we had the Class 56 Group headboard on board (so to speak)
I asked the crew for permission to add it to the front of the loco next to the FXP headboard. However it is certainly showing signs of age and doesn’t really present a good image for a group whose aim is to restore our locomotives into top condition.
After 56006 was stabled for the night and tarpaulin refitted I took the headboard home and started to think what could be done.Rather than remake the entire headboard I really wanted to save Carl Rayner’s original artwork as its become a well known feature when 56006 and 56301 (and 56040 before them) were out running at diesel galas.
Before and after pictures below.
Just needs a coat of varnish and ready for traffic!
New dates annonced for 56006 driver experience days.
Please contact us for more details or make a booking.
56006 performed three round trips between Heywood and Ramsbottom on Friday 11th as part of another footplate experience day.
Another opportunity will arise in the new year for anyone wanting a chance to drive a class 56. Details will be published here but also check the ELR website.
56312 was noted at Peak Forest this week. Previously 56081 and 56098 had been on site.
56081 was returned to Leicester by 47739 on Wednesday 2/10/19
56312 and 47749 took 56077, 56060 & 56065 from Leicester to Longport as part of the ongoing Class 56 repower project on 17th September.
The attached image shows 56081 and 56098 drawing a rake of loaded wagons out of the Dove Holes Quarry sidings at Peak Forrest in the early hors of Thursday 26th Sept.
Further cab repainting took place thIs week and the attached image shows the standard of work and has a nice retro feel about it.