The Class 56 Group

11/10/2026

A few official photographs of the early class 56 build and introduction.

09/10/2026

Very much looking forward to the Great Electric Train show this weekend - we’ll be on stand 29 next to Dave Cook’s Stewarts Lane depot layout. The latest Class 47 sample ‘423 will be on display over the weekend!

09/10/2026

Really looking forward to 56006 being out tomorrow on our 2nd Class 56 Group FXP .
It's been out for a spin to Ramsbottom this afternoon delivering some fresh air.

We should have some more technical reports over the weekend but in the meantime here are a few photographs from the early Doncaster built locos.

08/10/2026

The Class 56, 135 locos built yet only 1 preserved and not many left in traffic on the mainline

Want to help keep the legacy alive then please consider joining our group by becoming a member

Our yearly membership is available from only £15

Interested in volunteerting? We are based at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury, not to far from Manchester where 56006 is based

We also have an extensive range of merchandise available including 2x 2027 calendars showcasing the class with pictures provided by our followers

Head over over to our website and check it all out

Personal information collected may be used for the group to contact you in the future for subscription renewals and updates regarding the group e.g. AGM Agenda

05/10/2026

With Severn Valley Railway – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

04/10/2026

Want to help preserve the legacy of the amazing class 56, then the group needs you.

Please come and join the group for as little as £15 a year for digital membership and once joined you can get our 2027 calendar and enamel pin badge for only £10 plus p&p. Once signed up you’ll receive a member link

Head over to www.class56group.co.uk/join

01/10/2026

In preparation for a Ultrasonic Axle Test later this month the team attended Bury to do some preliminary work.

As 56006 has different axle bearings on the middle axles ( no 2 & no 5) we wanted to check we had all the correct locking plates .
And of course being a 56 taking off the axlebox covers isn't straight forward on no 1 and no 6 axle due to the position of the cab footsteps.
So rather than find a problem on the daet of the UAT we took one set of steps off completely , and checked the other three had fasteners which would come loose when we needed them to.

The middle axles have Timken bearings which allow the middle axles to float so the loco can negotiate tight curves found in colliery sidings ( younger members will have to Google what a colliery was as the only ones left are now museums!)
The other axles are SKF bearings and are more conventional roller bearings ( the rollers can be seen peeking out from behind the grease).

We also started to load some of the parts removed from 56303 ready for transport to storage.

We plan to do a full inventory of our spares to identify what we have , what we need , and what is on 56303 which we either need for 56006, or items we can remove and offer to members as a souvenir from 56303.
Interestingly some of the parts removed from 56303 have markings which indicate that originally came from other class members ,for example 56025 IM being marked on the back of a few cab panels and gauges.

30/09/2026

Some sale items updated on our website, why not take a look

As previously mentioned our team will be out and about enjoying the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Diesel Gala, come and say hello have a chat and buy some merch

The British Rail Class 56 is a type of diesel locomotive designed for heavy freight work. It is a Type 5 locomotive, with a Ruston-Paxman power unit developing 3,250bhp (2,423kW), and has a Co-Co wheel arrangement. The fleet was introduced between 1976 and 1983.

29/09/2026

A few recent comments about 56006 running as various other locos made me think we should clarify why , when running as 56008, the numeral 8 is upside down.

27/09/2026

Our volunteers will be out and about and enjoying the upcoming Severn Valley Railway Autumn Diesel Gala next weekend.

We will have limited merchandise with us including our new 2027 Grid Calenders and other great stocking fillers just in time for Xmas

If you’d like any of the clothing or bigger items please drop us a message and we will happily bring it with us

The British Rail Class 56 is a type of diesel locomotive designed for heavy freight work. It is a Type 5 locomotive, with a Ruston-Paxman power unit developing 3,250bhp (2,423kW), and has a Co-Co wheel arrangement. The fleet was introduced between 1976 and 1983.