56004 in BR Blue

[90sWereBetter]

Was this locomotive a depot pet, as from Flickr it seems to have only ever carried BR Blue during its career? It lasted in service until April 1999, and was eventually cut up at Booths in 2006. it seems unusual given pretty much all the other surviving 56s were painted in Loadhaul/Transrail/EWS liveries by the end of the decade.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/94823469@N03/25226891243/ - from 1997

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60776612@N02/6810584988/ - taken barely a month before withdrawal in March 1999.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pgweber163/8415571137/ - dying a slow death at Booths in 2006.

 

[Kneedown]

Worked on 004 many times during my time at Toton (89-95) It was always in BR blue during that time and was unusual in having a plate type horn grille and one end, and a grid type at the other, maybe as a result of a collision? 56020 was also in BR blue for that time, the others being in grey with full yellow cabs, or subsector grey.
There was only one depot pet at Toton at time and that was 58050. So many repaints it was almost out of gauge!

 

[theblackwatch]

It was involved in a collision with a pair of 31s nearly Lindsey back in 1982. More details and a pic of it under repair can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/d9006/3781077235

 

[simon7929]

I thought 004 was the one that went head on with a class 31 at Chinley in the 80s?

 

[Cowley]

I thought 004 was the one that went head on with a class 31 at Chinley in the 80s?

Wasn't that 47089 AMAZON? I can't remember without looking it up though.

 

[43096]

I thought 004 was the one that went head on with a class 31 at Chinley in the 80s?

I don't recall any 56 being involved in a collision at Chinley.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I don't either, I think Mr Cowley is much nearer the mark as I recall a class 47 incident there sometime during the ( I think) 1980s, also have recollections of a class 45? incident too.

 

[43096]

I don't either, I think Mr Cowley is much nearer the mark as I recall a class 47 incident there sometime during the ( I think) 1980s, also have recollections of a class 45? incident too.

Yep - 45014 and 31436 involved.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjm2009/8190216387

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yep - 45014 and 31436 involved.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjm2009/8190216387

Thanks for confirming!

 

[richieb1971]

45014 was the only 45 I never saw. Probably due to this accident posted here.

Funny it was the last one built and the only one left in my book without being underlined.

 

[theblackwatch]

45014 was the only 45 I never saw. Probably due to this accident posted here.

Funny it was the last one built and the only one left in my book without being underlined.

Bit off topic, but did you see 45067? That was an early casualty and I only saw it in Derby Works awaiting scrapping.

 

[158722]

Worked on 004 many times during my time at Toton (89-95) It was always in BR blue during that time and was unusual in having a plate type horn grille and one end, and a grid type at the other, maybe as a result of a collision? 56020 was also in BR blue for that time, the others being in grey with full yellow cabs, or subsector grey.
There was only one depot pet at Toton at time and that was 58050. So many repaints it was almost out of gauge!

56004 was involved in a head on collision with 31192/31314 at Lindsey in 1982, resulting in the demise of both 31s. 56004, being only a few years old, was rebuilt with new steel cabs at both ends, as per those fitted to 56056 onwards and featuring the larger horns grills, as opposed to alloy ones used on the earlier batches. 56014/56029/56030 also had such rebuilds, but at one end only and 56049 received a cab from 56122 I believe.