Class 56 Group 56006 (56301 transferred to DCR 28/3/25)

[Rail Quest]

From the pictures on Flickr it looks like early (April?) 2006, looked really nice and shiny 19 years ago of course, as good as it's former life as Loadhaul liveried 56045 though?

Ahh wow no wonder its looking old now!

Is it just me that likes the unique Fastline livery on 301..?

I do too honestly: really suits the loco whenever its working the more gritty looking freight runs (such as the scrap runs it did in the past with the old box wagons). Its just looking a bit worn now.

 

[Elecman]

This is great news! When was 301 painted into Fastline originally? It must've been a while ago now so hopefully that will influence the likelihood she goes for a paint job.

At least 17 years ago

 

[50002Superb]

News from a very reliable source on WNXX and now confirmation from the Class 56 Group website that 56301 & 56103 are scheduled to be working tonights 2201 6M70 Chaddesden Sidings to Tunstead Sidings empties, loaded 0338 6M71 to Humberstone Road No5 Top Siding and 1516 6D59 return to Chaddesden with the empties as their first working turn after repairs to both locos, C56G would be delighted if anyone is out taking pictures and would be happy to share them with the group, the contact address is on their website

If all goes well 56301 should become a DCR loco in the not too distant future and then verbal fisticuffs can begin over whether the loco will get a new coat of paint and if so which particular colour that paint will be

Not to leave 56006 out there are a number of pictures on C56G facebook of the progress currently being made on the loco

They sounded great going through Long Eaton crossing just now, unfortunately it’s too dark to get a decent photo on an iPhone.

 

[ExRes]

This is great news! When was 301 painted into Fastline originally? It must've been a while ago now so hopefully that will influence the likelihood she goes for a paint job.

Had a closer look at Flickr and found a photo taken on 17/3/06 of 301 & 302 at Brush with the comment " 'Brand New' grids, just a few days before release"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2025 ==

They sounded great going through Long Eaton crossing just now, unfortunately it’s too dark to get a decent photo on an iPhone.

Great news, always the worry that something would go wrong and they'd be replaced by the 60, now running under the proper headcode of 4M70, if you can manage to hang around a little bit longer they will be through Trent Jct at 0627

 

[D365]

Great news, always the worry that something would go wrong and they'd be replaced by the 60, now running under the proper headcode of 4M70, if you can manage to hang around a little bit longer they will be through Trent Jct at 0627

I did wonder myself whether DCR would still be interested in the 56s, as opposed to reactivating more ex-DBC 60s.

 

[ExRes]

I did wonder myself whether DCR would still be interested in the 56s, as opposed to reactivating more ex-DBC 60s.

Too useful to ignore I think, perfect for route learning, driver training, empty wagon moves singly, loaded wagon moves singly or paired and as the pullback loco at Quainton Railhead where a 60 is being wasted at present, I wonder if 56091 will get some attention now if there are any spare wheelsets available



** Updated Thursday 20th March **


After the fault free Chaddesden / Tunstead / Humberstone / Chaddesden trips earlier this week 56301 & 56103 are down to work tomorrows 1108 6L92 empties to Kings Lynn then Saturdays 0450 6L92 empties to Middleton Towers and loaded 0901 6M89 to Ravenhead Sidings as far as Chaddesden where a 60 is due to take over

Class 56 Group have gratefully received a good few photos of 56006 which are on their facebook page and would be delighted to get any more that people have available



** Updated Saturday 22nd March **


56301 worked loaded 6M89 from Middleton Towers to Chaddesden with failed 56103 DIT

C56G are hoping to start 56006 up tomorrow, could be a fair bit of clag around the East Lancs area

 

[Rail Quest]

56301 worked loaded 6M89 from Middleton Towers to Chaddesden with failed 56103 DIT

Oh no, failed already? Any indications what went wrong with it?

 

[ExRes]

Oh no, failed already? Any indications what went wrong with it?

No comments that I've seen yet other than it was kicking out a lot of smoke, how anyone can tell what's a lot of smoke when you're referring to a 56 I don't know ....

Reported on C56G facebook this evening that 56006 had a successful first start up of the year



** Updated Monday 24th March **


56301 trailing 56103 worked 0903 0Z56 Chaddesden to Rectory Junction (Colwick Colas)

 

[Strathclyder]

Had a closer look at Flickr and found a photo taken on 17/3/06 of 301 & 302 at Brush with the comment " 'Brand New' grids, just a few days before release"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2025 ==

Have to say, that paintwork owes nothing to no-one! 19 years now, that has to be some sort of record for the class surely?

From the pictures on Flickr it looks like early (April?) 2006, looked really nice and shiny 19 years ago of course, as good as it's former life as Loadhaul liveried 56045 though?

Late 2005/early 2006 beyond any doubt, pics of 302 running test trains in April '06 looking very shiny floating about. Fastline refurbished 3 machines (301-303; ex 045 & 124-125 respectively) for use on a short-lived container flow (4O90 Doncaster Railport - Thamesport), but I think this had ceased running by the time Fastline/Jarvis collapsed in March 2010. They also hired in a few other examples from the likes of Hanson periodically; 311 & 312 ring a distant bell. On this note, was there a specific reason the 56/3 subclass was created for these 3 machines? Was there any major technical change that justified/warranted it or was it merely a paper exercise? Seems as good a place as any to ask such a question lol

56302 Old Denaby 17 April 2006

56303 Hexthorpe 28 July 2008

(images by Martin Loader)

As for the livery choice, Loadhaul vs. virtually everything else is a bit of a unfair match imho, but I have to admit Fastline was a rather smart one all things considered. I prefer the 56s to the 66s in it overall, that said (my bias for the thudding/screaming Grids shining through once again lol)

 

[D365]

On this note, was there a specific reason the 56/3 subclass was created for these 3 machines? Was there any major technical change that justified/warranted it or was it merely a paper exercise? Seems as good a place as any to ask such a question lol

The /3 locomotives have a different OTMR, TPWS and fire suppression system to the /0s which were overhauled and modified by EWS. Other than that, no difference.

It’s not normal for one-off OTMR and TPWS fitments to get their own subclass, but in this instance, that’s what happened.

 

[ac6000cw]

** Updated Saturday 22nd March **


56301 worked loaded 6M89 from Middleton Towers to Chaddesden with failed 56103 DIT

C56G are hoping to start 56006 up tomorrow, could be a fair bit of clag around the East Lancs area

Oh no, failed already? Any indications what went wrong with it?

No comments that I've seen yet other than it was kicking out a lot of smoke, how anyone can tell what's a lot of smoke when you're referring to a 56 I don't know ....

I saw 6M89 at Peterborough on Saturday afternoon - when the train arrived, only 56301 was running and the train went into the goods loop next to platform 7. The driver then started up 56103, but it was producing a lot of smoke and sounded very 'chuggy', like it was wasn't firing on all cylinders. It ran for while, then it was shut down along with 56301, then both were started up and appeared to be running OK. When the train left I think only 56301 was running (or at least providing power) - but the departure was fairly gentle so it was a bit hard to tell for sure.

 

[sprinterguy]

Have to say, that paintwork owes nothing to no-one! 19 years now, that has to be some sort of record for the class surely?

56004 only ever wore BR Blue until scrapped in 2006, though the question arises as to whether that was as-delivered BR Blue, as it received a replacement cab following collision damage in October 1982. Though that still, potentially, puts it at over 20 years.

56008 is another contender, that remained in BR Blue until cut up at Immingham in autumn 2000. Nineteen years is definitely good going for an operational loco, though.

 

[Strathclyder]

56004 only ever wore BR Blue until scrapped in 2006, though the question arises as to whether that was as-delivered BR Blue, as it received a replacement cab following collision damage in October 1982. Though that still, potentially, puts it at over 20 years.

56008 is another contender, that remained in BR Blue until cut up at Immingham in autumn 2000. Nineteen years is definitely good going for an operational loco, though.

I did wonder about that, as I know a few members of the class retained BR Blue for either their entire or for a good chunk of their careers. 56010 was another example, as that was still in tatty/faded BR Blue in 1993-94 (linked photo copyright of Flickr's Dave Peachey). It had gained Railfreight Grey with Transrail markings by April 1995 though.

19930309.b.Bennerley.56010.LR_filtered

56010 at Bennerley on 9th March 1993 with down MGR's.

www.flickr.com

But yeah, 19 years is good going indeed.

The /3 locomotives have a different OTMR, TPWS and fire suppression system to the /0s which were overhauled and modified by EWS. Other than that, no difference.

It’s not normal for one-off OTMR and TPWS fitments to get their own subclass, but in this instance, that’s what happened.

I did suspect that this is what it was, but just wanted to ask and make 100% sure. Cheers for the extra info.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

56004 only ever wore BR Blue until scrapped in 2006, though the question arises as to whether that was as-delivered BR Blue, as it received a replacement cab following collision damage in October 1982. Though that still, potentially, puts it at over 20 years.

Two replacement cabs, wasn't it? It was heavily damaged at both ends.

 

[sprinterguy]

Two replacement cabs, wasn't it? It was heavily damaged at both ends.

Ah, yes, you're quite right.

 

[ExRes]

56301 worked 1108 6L92 Chaddesden to Kings Lynn TC empties with 15 JNAs



** Updated Saturday 29th March **


56301 worked 0450 6L92 empties to Middleton Towers for loading, 6M89 has been rescheduled to Monday due to engineering work

Announced today on Class 56 Group website that 56301 has now become DCR/Cappagh owned

 

[ExRes]

Had a catch up today with the Class 56 Group facebook page, they have a few videos on there with updates on the progress being made with 006 along with news of a dedicated You Tube channel, items for sale and a link to the C56G website

 

[778]

Is 56301 still a preserved locomotive now that it is back in mainline use?

 

[ExRes]

Is 56301 still a preserved locomotive now that it is back in mainline use?

Not as far as I'm aware, when the move to DCR was first talked about there was mention that C56G would be offered 301 back when it was no longer required, whether that was actually part of the deal or not I doubt many people will know

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Is 56301 still a preserved locomotive now that it is back in mainline use?

It's now owned by an FOC, so it's not preserved. 56006 is now the only preserved Class 56.

 

[ExRes]

Update from C56G

"Following a test run last Friday to determine cause of low power issues volunteers have carried out investigation and repairs. Subject to availability another proving run is scheduled to take place this Sunday (8th June) on the last train of the day (1445 service train departure from Bury ELR) train arrives back in Bury 1710, 56006 should pilot the train"

 

[mjc]

It's now owned by an FOC, so it's not preserved. 56006 is now the only preserved Class 56.

How is it not preserved; surely in this context preserved means saved beyond usual end of life?

 

[43096]

How is it not preserved; surely in this context preserved means saved beyond usual end of life?

It’s not beyond end of life if a commercial operating company is using it for revenue generating operation, is it?!

 

[D365]

How is it not preserved; surely in this context preserved means saved beyond usual end of life?

By that logic, all of the Colas 56s and ex-DRS 37s are ’preserved’!

What I think is meant is that 56301 is now owned by a commercial entity focussed on revenue-earning work, where the locomotive is a tool to [directly or indirectly] generate revenue. Rather than an organisation whose sole mission is maintaining the locomotives and any other vehicles that they own.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

By that logic, all of the Colas 56s and ex-DRS 37s are ’preserved’!

What I think is meant is that 56301 is now owned by a commercial entity focussed on revenue-earning work, where the locomotive is a tool to [directly or indirectly] generate revenue. Rather than an organisation whose sole mission is maintaining the locomotives and any other vehicles that they own.

Indeed. Stock owned by commercial charter companies is also often wrongly described as 'preserved'. If something is owned solely for its use as a business tool, it is not preserved and is likely to be disposed of when it outlives its usefulness. The fact that some older locos are still in commercial use does not make them 'preserved'.

 

[mjc]

It’s not beyond end of life if a commercial operating company is using it for revenue generating operation, is it?!

I did say usual end of life, most of the class has already been scrapped and this one would presumably have met that fate if the group hadn’t ‘saved’ it previously. Furthermore for this specific class finding work as a 56 may well preserve it from being converted to class 69…

If working for a commercial operating company means not being preserved what does that mean for the locos and rolling stock at Dartmouth Steam Railway and other heritage lines where the operations are carried out commercially (albeit sometimes with a charity alongside or in the background)?

 

[Yorkshire09876]

I did say usual end of life, most of the class has already been scrapped and this one would presumably have met that fate if the group hadn’t ‘saved’ it previously. Furthermore for this specific class finding work as a 56 may well preserve it from being converted to class 69…

If working for a commercial operating company means not being preserved what does that mean for the locos and rolling stock at Dartmouth Steam Railway and other heritage lines where the operations are carried out commercially (albeit sometimes with a charity alongside or in the background)?

But there isn't a 'usual' end of life - numbers dwindle over time but those remaining carry on in use for as long as the operators decide. In some cases they fill a specific niche - e.g. Class 37s on lines where anything with a higher axle loading isn't permitted.

As regards preserved railways, it does vary - some stock is actually preserved and will be kept even if it doesn't pay its way (some owned by the railways, some by specific groups or individuals), but equally there are some (thinking Pacers particularly here), where they are often simply a low-cost method of running trains on quieter days - and if they get to a state where they need major work the scrapyard might well beckon.

56301 would likely have survived anyway as it had been heavily overhauled not long before Jarvis / Fastline went bust. There are no indications that there will be any more 69s - and currently EMD have two 56s (one damaged but possibly repairable) and GBRF have one - these would be the obvious next in line for conversion in any case, if there were to be any more converted.