The Class 56 Group

29/05/2026

We have lots of new products now available at our online store, why not head over take a look and get your grid on at

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.

26/05/2026

Tickets can now be booked for 'The Bury Bhuna', our Summer Diesel Gala Friday evening curry train, hauled by visiting Class 20 20303.

📅 Friday 3rd July departing Bury at 17.05

To book your tickets visit https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/summer-diesel-gala/

When booking you have a choice of Chicken Madras or Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry (V/Ve) which is served with rice, naan, poppadom and mango chutney.

A Day Rover Ticket valid for the Friday is required in addition to the Curry Train ticket . A limited number of tickets are available and must be booked in advance by 1pm on Wednesday 1st July.

26/05/2026

56006 earning it's keep this morning.Pictures from the railcam.

25/05/2026

56006 should be out on an engineers train tomorrow ( Tuesday 26th May.)
It's understood the train is involved with the replacement of the Ramsbottom up outer home signal and collection of some materials.
No times are available but it should run north to site in the early part of the shift and return towards the end of the shift ( 8am to 5pm).
Of course all of the above could change depending on loco availability and how well the job goes.

21/05/2026

We will have a collection of Hornby Class 56s for sale at the up and coming East Lancs Dieeel Gala in July. All boxed and DCC ready.

All weathered and detailed both ends.

All have been tested.

All working fans have been removed.

lights have been disconnected at the coupling bar end so reds don’t show when On a train.

All resprays and renumbered to a very good standard.

Please get in touch if you’d like to reserve one £120 each

56001 whatley construction sector respray
56007 transrail grey respray
56040 oystermouth rail freight respray
56073 metals sector named
56076 metals sector named
56303 DCR green

17/05/2026

We hope followers of the class have enjoyed this week's Severn Valley Railway diesel gala. The event saw 56049 turned out by Colas Rail to represent what is now an ever dwindling mainline fleet. Seen here waiting to draw forward at Arley yesterday afternoon.

16/05/2026

56006 worked its scheduled FXP turn yesterday. 4 round trips and 8 happy customers.
Sunny day helped and loco got a nice work out and everything got up to operating temperature.

After 2 full days on the diesel turn last weekend and the FXP, the loco has been busy in May..

Given we had some complaining about us not informing them when the loco went out on test with the crane in late Feb, I can advise that, subject to the usual caveats, 56006 should work a private charter on Wednesday 20th May.
This should operate between Bury and Heywood between 10:00 and 16:00. Possibly back at Bury around 13:00.
This information is given to aid anyone wishing to view the workings. It goes without saying that means from the right side of the fence.
As usual we'd love to see any images of the working but please bear in mind the timings given are very approximate.

15/05/2026

Who loves a class 56 great run today with 049 at Severn Valley Railway

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

56049 arriving at the Severn Valley Railway ready for tomorrows Diesel Gala