BR, Class 56, Co-Co, 56047 - Era 7

The British Rail Class 56 Type 5 Co-Co diesel locomotive was first introduced in 1976 to cope with the increased requirement for heavy freight. British Rail awarded the contract to design and build these new engines to Brush Traction in Loughborough, who subsequently sub-contracted the construction to Electroputere in Romania, due to the lack of capacity in their own works. The initial 30 locomotives to be delivered from Romania suffered from transit damage and construction deficiencies and had to be extensively rebuilt before entering service. With this in mind the decision was made to build the remaining 105 locomotives in England, British Rail Engineering Ltd manufacturing them at their Doncaster Works (nos. 56031 to 56115) and Crewe Works (nos. 56116 to 56135).

The design specification was based upon the Class 47 bodyshell, with the omission of redundant features such as the headcode panel. Power came from a Ruston-Paxman unit that was similar to that fitted in the Class 50 locomotives, which provided the capability for heavy haul freight. Air brakes were fitted for the first time in a British Rail engine and the electrics were improved in a number of areas, resulting in a more robust power unit. Nicknamed as Gridirons or "Grids", the Class 56 displaced the Class 20 and Class 47 locomotives and commonly undertook the transportation of iron ore, coal, aggregate and steel across the Eastern and London Midland Regions and on the Western Region for aggregate duties.

Strong and reliable performers, the locomotives were popular, but needed heavy maintenance, particularly when compared against the Class 66 locomotives that came to displace them in service. The introduction of the Class 60 locomotives saw a gradual reduction in the use of the Class 56 locomotives and with the arrival of the Class 66 locomotives, with their greater availability and lower maintenance, the Class 56 fleet were placed into storage between 1998 and 2004.

Most of the locomotives remain in depots around the UK, despite being variously sold for scrap and then re-acquired and reinstated in service. Colas Railfreight operate a small fleet on a rotating basis and British American Railway Services and UK Rail Leasing have a number available for working. Five locomotives, 56006, 56097, 56098, 56301 and 56302 have been preserved. No. 56047 was built in July 1978 by BREL in Doncaster. The locomotive served with BR and later Transrail until being put into storage in May 1999. The locomotive was scrapped in December 2003.

Welcome to the HM7000 Control System

HM7000 is an innovative way of controlling and operating model railways. Combining Bluetooth® technology and app-based control, the HM7000 Control System has been designed to revolutionise the controlling of a model railway.

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Bluetooth

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Connectivity

Free Sounds

Quick CV Editing

Multiple Control Options

40+ Profile Settings

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Upgrade Paths

Previous Control Systems can be upgraded to HM7000, see below for the options and upgrade paths available.

Train Set > HM7000

Already have a locomotive but want to go digital? Click here to discover how.

HM6000 > HM7000

The HM6000 system is only a short step away from having HM7000. Click here to discover how.

HM|DC > HM7000

New to the hobby? HM7000 is just a short step away. Click here to discover how.

DCC > HM7000

Already operating a layout using DCC? HM7000 is just a short step away. Click here to discover how.

Conventional DCC Controller > HM7000

Locomotives fitted with either a Hornby HM7000 or conventional decoders can be operated using the HM|DCC Bluetooth® system - click here to learn how.

HM7000 Products

HM7000-6: Bluetooth® & DCC Decoder (6-pin)

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Contenido

1x Model Diesel Locomotive, 1x Accessory Pack (includes underchassis parts, pipework detailing and articulated couplings), 1x Instructions