British Rail Class 56 facts for kids
The British Rail Class 56 is a type of powerful diesel locomotive made for pulling very heavy freight trains. These locomotives are known as "Type 5" engines, meaning they are among the strongest. Each Class 56 has a powerful engine that makes 3,250 horsepower. They also have a special wheel setup called "Co-Co," which means they have six wheels on each side, and all of them help to move the train. These locomotives were first used between 1976 and 1983.
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 56 |
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| Electroputere-built 56006 at Doncaster in 2003 painted in rail blue livery | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
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| Builder | Electroputere (56001–56030) BREL (56031–56135) |
| Build date | 1976–1984 |
| Total production | 135 |
| Configuration | Co-Co |
| UIC classification | Co'Co' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Length | 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 123 long tons (125 t) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,150 imp gal (5,200 L; 1,380 US gal) |
| Prime mover | Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT |
| Multiple working | ◆ Red Diamond |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Power output | Engine: 3,250 bhp (2,424 kW) |
| Tractive effort | Maximum: 61,800 lbf (275 kN) |
| Train heating | None |
| Locomotive brakeforce | 59 long tons-force (588 kN) |
| Train brakes | Air |
| Career | British Rail EWS Fastline |
| Number | 56001–56135 |
| Axle load class | Route availability 7 |
Contents
Building the Class 56 Locomotives
The Class 56 locomotives were built in two main places.
Early Production in Romania
The first 30 locomotives, numbered 56001 to 56030, were built by a company called Electroputere in Romania. However, these trains had some problems with how they were built. Because of this, many of them had to stop working earlier than expected.
Building in the UK
The remaining 105 locomotives were built in the United Kingdom by BREL. BREL stands for British Rail Engineering Limited, which was the company that built trains for British Rail.
- Locomotives 56031 to 56115 were built at Doncaster Works.
- Locomotives 56116 to 56135 were built at Crewe Works.
Why They Are Called "Grids"
Train fans gave the Class 56 locomotives a special nickname: "Grids." There are two main reasons for this name.
- One reason is that the front of the locomotive, where the horn is, has a cover that looks like a grid.
- The other, more common reason, is that these trains were often used to deliver coal to power stations that were part of the National Grid. These deliveries were often done using a special system called "merry-go-round" trains.
Images for kids
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56115 on a special train trip called a railtour.
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Fastline 56303 passing Kingsthorpe, near Northampton station, in 2007.
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A group of diesel locomotives, led by two Class 56s, at UK Rail Leasing in Leicester, in 2016.
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56049 on display at an open day at Old Oak Common Depot in 2017.
