Locomotive Class
Class 56 (Type 5)
Class: Class 56 (Type 5)
Type: Diesel-Electric
Designer: British Rail
Weight: 126 tons
Purpose: Heavy Freight
Information: During the early 1970’s the need for more powerful dedicated heavy freight diesel-electric motive power led to the development of the Class 56 in order to haul the newly introduced Merry-Go-Round dedicated coal traffic. The Class 56 was to be the first newly designed diesel in 15-years and was first of the second generation diesels used by British Rail. The Class 56 was nick-named “Grids” due to the expanded metal mesh grille located at cab ends.
Details: Until the Class 56 was introduced in 1976 British Rail had relied on early diesels of mixed traffic design, often used in pairs to handle ever increasing freight loads. With the introduction of the Class 56 with no provision for passenger train heating this was to change forever.
By the time the class was finally introduced in 1976, the need for a Type 5 freight locomotive had reached a state of urgency, resulting in Brush Locomotive Works outsourcing the first 30 production units to affiliated sister company, Electroputere in Romania. Regrettably, quality control issues plagued the first batch and consequently 105 additional units were built at BREL in Crewe and Doncaster entering service between 1977 and 1984.
In addition to the intended MGR freight workings Class 56’s were commonly assigned aggregates, road stone, cement, and Freightliner workings. As with all new designs flaws became apparent fairly early and with remedial maintenance and repairs were corrected accordingly resulting in the class reaching an average 80% route availability.
Introduced during the “Corporate Blue” era, the class was painted as such with full yellow ends. As the 56’s were only withdrawn in relatively recent years, many consequently carried a variety of colourful liveries after BR sectorisation; as well as subsequent Private company ownership.
After nearly 30-years of hard service the decision was made by EWS, the largest operator of 56’s to replace them all with North American designed Class 59 / 66 and by 2004 only two members were actively employed in Britain while several found short-term employment in France on construction engineering trains. Today, five members remain operational and preserved for posterity.
John Faulkner
Class 56 (Type 5) Releases (39)
Class 56 (Type 5) Images (39)
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56058
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56100
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56049
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56047
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56066
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56109
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56101
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56113
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56048
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56099
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56098
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56119
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56127
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56068
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56038
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56088
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56058
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56107
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56063
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56013
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56049
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56059
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56128
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56103
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56003
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive 56082
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive (DCC Locomotive with Sound) 56125
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered) 56123
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered) 56105
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Drax Power Station 56123
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Ellington Colliery 56131
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Harworth Colliery (DCC Locomotive with Sound) 56095
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Merehead 56031
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Oystermouth 56040
Class 56 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Sir De Morgannwg County Of South Glamorgan 56032
Class 56 Diesel Locomotive 56090
Class 56 Diesel Locomotive 56088
Class 56 Diesel Locomotive (Weathered) 56113
Class 56 Diesel Locomotive (Weathered) 56125
