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Class 56

Class 56 Profile and Models

56101 at Barrow Hill in August 2009. ©Clagmaster

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 3,250 bhp and has a Co-Co wheel arrangement. Enthusiasts nicknamed them "Gridirons" (or "Grids" for short), due to the grid-like horn cover on the locomotive's cab ends fitted to nos. 56056 onwards. The first 30 locomotives were built by Electroputere in Romania, but these typically suffered from poor construction standards and many were withdrawn from service early for extensive rebuilding before re-entering revenue service. The remaining 105 locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL). The Class 56 proved to be a strong and capable locomotive type but its maintenance requirements and costs were relatively high compared to its contemporaries and modern locomotive classes. Despite this, several can still be seen in mainline use, with a trio of locomotives also preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive	Diesel-Electric
Builders	Electroputere, Romania BREL Doncaster BREL Crewe
Build Dates	1976 to 1984
Total Built	135
Tractive Effort	61,800 lbf
Power Output	3,250 bhp
Top Speed	80 mph
Wheel Configuration	Co-Co
Operated By	British Rail Colas Rail DCRail EWS Fastline Floyd Zrt. GB Railfreight UK Rail Leasing
Main Duties	Heavy Freight
In Service Until	Present
Surviving Examples	38

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

trainModels Produced

1983 Mainline release

Motor fitted but no DCC socket. Ringfield motor

View 45 products

2007 Hornby release

DCC Ready. 8-pin socket

View 34 products

update 2022 Hornby upgrade

DCC Ready. 21-pin socket

View 3 Products

2023 Cavalex Models release

Cavalex Models OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Class 56

DCC Ready. 21-pin socket

View 42 products

compare_arrowsCompare these models

format_paintLiveries Produced

BR blue
(1965 - 1990)

BR large logo blue
(1978 - 1994)

Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe) livery sample

Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe)
(1982 - 1992)

Railfreight 'Sector' triple grey livery sample

Railfreight 'Sector' triple grey
(1987 - 1994)

LoadHaul
(1994 - 1996)

Transrail
(1994 - 1996)

EWS - English Welsh and Scottish livery sample

EWS - English Welsh and Scottish
(1996 - 2009)

Fastline Freight
(2006 - 2010)

Colas Rail
(2007 - present)

Devon and Cornwall Railways livery sample

Devon and Cornwall Railways
(2011 - present)

Unpainted

Awaiting Categorisation

View All Products Produced

N Gauge

trainModels Produced

1993 Graham Farish release

DCC incompatible

View 5 products

update 2003 Graham Farish upgrade

DCC suitability unknown

View 2 Products

2012 Dapol release

DCC Ready. 6-pin socket

View 28 products

update 2024 Dapol / Gaugemaster Collection upgrade

DCC Ready. 18-pin socket

View 16 Products

compare_arrowsCompare these models

format_paintLiveries Produced

BR blue
(1965 - 1990)

BR large logo blue
(1978 - 1994)

Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe)
(1982 - 1992)

Railfreight 'Sector' triple grey
(1987 - 1994)

Civil Engineers 'Dutch'
(1990 - 2000)

LoadHaul
(1994 - 1996)

Transrail
(1994 - 1996)

EWS - English Welsh and Scottish
(1996 - 2009)

Fastline Freight
(2006 - 2010)

Colas Rail
(2007 - present)

Devon and Cornwall Railways
(2011 - present)

View All Products Produced

O Gauge (1:43 Scale)

trainModels Produced

2022 Heljan release

DCC Ready. Screw terminals for wired decoder

View 10 products

format_paintLiveries Produced

BR blue
(1965 - 1990)

BR large logo blue
(1978 - 1994)

Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe)
(1982 - 1992)

Railfreight 'Sector' triple grey
(1987 - 1994)

LoadHaul
(1994 - 1996)

View All Products Produced

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale	Brand	Construction Type	DCC Capability	Product Code	Product Title	Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56002-OR View	Class 56 BR Original Railfreight Grey No.56002 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56002-ORSF View	Class 56 BR Original Railfreight Grey No.56002 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56008-BRBDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 008 BR Blue Livery Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56019-RSRDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 019 Railfreight Red Stripe Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56021-BRB View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56021 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56021-BRBSF View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56021 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56036-LL View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56036 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56036-LLSF View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56036 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56037-BRB View	Class 56 BR Blue Richard Trevithick No.56037 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56037-BRBSF View	Class 56 BR Blue Richard Trevithick No.56037 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56049–CR View	Class 56 049 'Robin of Templecombe Colas Rail Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56049–CR-DCC View	Class 56 049 'Robin of Templecombe Colas Rail Diesel Locomotive (DCC Fitted)
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56049–CR-SOUND View	Class 56 049 'Robin of Templecombe Colas Rail Diesel Locomotive (DCC Sound)
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56049–CRDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 049 'Robin of Templecombe Colas Rail Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56052-TGC View	Class 56 Triple Grey Construction No.56052 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56052-TGCSF View	Class 56 Triple Grey Construction No.56052 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56070-BRBDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 070 BR Blue Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56081-56098-GBRF View	Class 56 081/098 GBRF Farewell Railtour Diesel Locomotive Twin Pack
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56081-56098-GBRF-DCC View	Class 56 081/098 GBRF Farewell Railtour Diesel Locomotive Twin Pack (DCC Fitted)
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56081-56098-GBRF-SOUND View	Class 56 081/098 GBRF Farewell Railtour Diesel Locomotive Twin Pack (DCC Sound)
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56089-RSR View	Class 56 BR Railfreight Grey No.56089 (with Red Stripe) Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56089-RSRSF View	Class 56 BR Railfreight Grey No.56089 (with Red Stripe) Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56093-LLDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 093 Tinsley Celebrity BR Blue Large Logo Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56105-CR View	Class 56 Colas Rail No.56105 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56105-CRSF View	Class 56 Colas Rail No.56105 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56107-LH View	Class 56 Loadhaul No.56107 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56107-LHSF View	Class 56 Loadhaul No.56107 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56111-LL View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56111 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56111-LLSF View	Class 56 BR Blue No.56111 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56120-LLDW View	Highly Detailed Deluxe Weathered Class 56 120 BR Blue Large Logo Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56129-TGT View	Class 56 Triple Grey Transrail No.56129 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56129-TGTSF View	Class 56 Triple Grey Transrail No.56129 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56133-LL View	Class 56 BR Blue Crewe Locomotive Works No.56133 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56133-LLSF View	Class 56 BR Blue Crewe Locomotive Works No.56133 (Large Logo) Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56134-TGC View	Class 56 Triple Grey Coal Sector No.56134 Diesel Locomotive
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Cavalex Models	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CM-56134-TGCSF View	Class 56 Triple Grey Coal Sector No.56134 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Craftsman Models	Not set	Not set	DK545 View	Class 56 detailing kit - Romanian type	Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)	Kitbuilt	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	KB3055 View	Class 56 56133 'Crewe Locomotive Works' in BR large logo blue - Built from unknown white metal kit	Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge	CJM	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	Not set	CJM-56047 View	Class 56 56047 in Transrail Livery	Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge	Dapol	RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled	DCC decoder fitted. Analogue compatible	NDIESEL2loco View	Class 56 56003 in Loadhaul black and orange - DCC fitted - split from NDIESEL2 set	Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge	P & D Marsh	Requires assembly	Not set	A212 View	B.R. Class 56 diesel with gra far chassis	Awaiting Categorisation