Class 56 Gallery
The British Rail Class 56 was built between 1976 and 1984 to become one of British Rail's heavy haul Type 5 Locomotives. The Class was built for the purpose of moving heavy coal loads on the 'Merry Go Round' coal circuits in the east midlands. The first thirty locomotives were built at Electroputre in Romania, but suffered from multiple problems which resulted in the being rebuilt at Doncaster Works. All remaining Class 56's were subsequently constructed in the UK split between Doncaster and Crewe works. The Class 56's were nicknamed 'Grids' by enthusiasts, a name which has stuck with the class throughout their mainline career. The name was taken from the grid like horn covers fitted to the locomotive nose.
While the Class 56's were a powerful and capable locomotive, they suffered from expensive maintenance compared to their Class 58 counterparts. Many issues with the Class 56 would result in roof sections needing to be removed and sometimes power units to be lifted, because the space inside the locomotive body would not allow proper access. As such if time was not invested in regular engine care, then this would often lead to in service failures. As such the class fell out of favour in the privatisation years with EWS/ DB Schenker when many were sidelined at just 15 years old. Some were however exported for use in France under contract hire to assist with the building of TGV lines. Upon their return to the UK after a period out of service many have been purchased by smaller companies and are now back in regular traffic.
Taunton has seen a resurgence of Class 56's in recent years. In the 80's and 90's the Class would only make fleeting appearances. Sectorization saw a batch of Metals Class 56's allocated to Cardiff Canton in the 90's, when a class member would often appear on a Saturday hauling the Exeter Basin scrap. Other than this an appearance of a Class 56 at Taunton can be considered 'rare' up until 2013 when Colas Rail Freight returned a large batch of Class 56's to mainline traffic.
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10th December 2025
Colas Rail Freight Class 56 locomotives No.56113 and No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' return north through Cat Hill Farm (Creech St Michael) on the 10th December 2025. Having delivered two Network Rail drift ploughs to Fairwater Yard, the pair of Type 5's were returning light engine, operating as 0Z58 10:04 Fairwater Yard - Coleham LMD.
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)
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10th December 2025
Having deposited Network Rail drift ploughs ADB965208 and ADB965209 on the head shunts at either end of Fairwater Yard on the 10th December 2025, the Colas Class 56 locomotives are pictured passing through Platform 2 at Taunton. No.56113 (which had run around No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' in Fairwater Yard) departed light engine as 0Z58 10:04 Taunton - Coleham LMD.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
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10th December 2025
Having delivered two Network Rail drift ploughs back to Fairwater Yard on the night of the 9th December, Colas Class 56 locomotives returned north to their depot on the 10th December 2025. No.56113 and No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' catch the low winter sunlight at Fordgate operating as 0Z58 10:04 Taunton - Coleham LMD light engine.
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
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10th December 2025
Having deposited Network Rail drift ploughs ADB965208 and ADB965209 on the head shunts at either end of Fairwater Yard on the 10th December 2025, the Colas Class 56 locomotives are pictured waiting to depart light engine from 40 Steps. No.56113 (which had run around No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' in Fairwater Yard) departed light engine as 0Z58 10:04 Taunton - Coleham LMD.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
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10th December 2025
Colas Class 56 No.56113 pushes Network Rail drift plough ADB965209 into the west end head shunt at Fairwater Yard on the 10th December 2025.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
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12th November 2025
Looking fantastic in the Autumn sunlight at Whiteball on the 10th November 2025. DR Railfreight Class 56 No.56045 leads No.47715 and No.56103 head back from the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala. It's believed to be the first time since 2022 a Class 56 has visited Devon, operating as 0M49 10:15 Buckfastleigh - Wembley DC Rail Sidings.
(Photo: Russell Ayre)
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10th November 2025
Doncaster-built BR Blue Class 56 No.56045 leads No.47715 and No.56103 north through Platform 4 at Taunton on Monday, 10th November 2025. The three locomotives were returning north after attending the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala weekend, operating a s0M49 10:50 Buckfastleigh - Willesden DC Rail Sidings.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
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10th November 2025
Doncaster-built BR Blue Class 56 No.56045 leads No.47715 and No.56103 east over the Somerset Levels at Oath on Monday 10th November 2025. The three locomotives were returning north after attending the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala weekend, operating a s0M49 10:50 Buckfastleigh - Willesden DC Rail Sidings.
(Photo: Sean Mockridge)
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10th November 2025
A trio of colorful locomotives passes through Creech St Michael on the 10th November 2025. The two Class 56 locomotives and Class 47 had attended the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala. No.56045 (Formerly No.56301), No.47715, and No.56103 were operating as 0M49 10:50 Buckfastleigh - Willesden DC Rail Sidings.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
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10th November 2025
DC Railfreight diesel locomotive convoy returns from the South Devon Railway on Monday, 10th November 2025. Class 56/0 No. 56045 (formerly No.56301) leads No.47715 and No.56103 towards Cogload Junction, running as the 0M49 10:50 Buckfastleigh to Willesden DC Rail Sidings.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
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31st May 2022
GRRf operated Class 56 No.56081 passes Fordgate on the 31st May 2022 operating 5U56 10:56 Laira - Newport. The loco was conveying former First Great Western/ GWR powercars No.43197, No.43193 and No. 4069 'Westminster Abbey' for scrap after three years in storage.
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
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31st May 2022
GRRf operated Class 56 No.56081 passes Cogload Junction on the 31st May 2022 operating 5U56 10:56 Laira - Newport Docks with former First Great Western/ GWR powercars No.43197 No.43193 and No.43069 heading for scrap.
(Photo: Andy Hunt)
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31st May 2022
GBRf operated Class 56 No.56081 passes the former Creech St Michael Halt on the 31st May 2022 operating 5U56 10:56 Laira - Newport. The loco conveyed former First Great Western/ GWR powercars No.43197 No.43193 and No.43069 heading for scrap after several years in storage.
(Photo: Jamie Squibbs)
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31st May 2022
GBRF Class 56/0 No.56081 passes Norton Fitzwarren on Tuesday 31st May 2022 with ex-FGW HST power cars No.43197, No.43193 and No.43069 in tow. Having had all useful parts removed the Class 43 power cars are heading for the scrap. Their final run operating as the 5U56 10:56 Laira - Newport Docks for cutting at Sims Metals.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
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30th May 2022
GBRF Class 56/0 No.56081 plus a solitary 'Porterbrook Blue' branded barrier vehicle 6393 works westbound through the Taunton area on Monday 30th May 2022 running as 5V56 10:04 Leicester Laira. The move is in preparation to collect five HST power cars going for scrap at Sims of Newport. Location is Cat Hill Farm foot crossing between Cogload Junction and Creech St. Michael.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
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30th May 2022
Class 56 No.56081 passes Norton Fitzwarren on the 30th May 2022 operating 5Z56 Leicester - Laira TMD with barrier vehicle 6393 in tow. The loco was operating to Laira to collect redundant ex First Great Western HST powercars for scrap.
(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)
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30th May 2022
Class 56 No.56081 passes Fordgate on the 30th May 2022 operating 5V56 10:04 Leicester - Laira TMD with barrier vehicle 6393 in tow. The loco was operating to Laira to collect redundant ex First Great Western HST powercars for scrap.
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
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22nd July 2021
Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' passes Norton Fitzwarren in the evening heat on the 22nd July 2021. The loco was employed to operate 6C47 18:20 Westbury - Westbury loaded autoballasters. The train operated via Exeter and Bristol on overnight ballast drop duties.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
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18th April 2021
Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' climbs Whiteball Bank at Beambridge on the 18th April 2021 operating 6F27 14:36 Westbury - Crediton loaded with new concrete sleepers ready for unloading as part of the Okehampton reopening project.
(Photo: Simon Harling)
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18th April 2021
Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' passes Bathpool on Sunday 18th April 2021 operating 6F27 14:36 Westbury - Crediton hauling a rake of loaded concrete sleepers which were to be laid on the Crediton - Okehampton reopening project.
(Photo: Alan Randle)
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