British Rail Class 56

Infobox Locomotive
name = British Rail Class 56
powertype = Diesel-electric


caption = Electroputere-built 56006 at Doncaster in 2003 painted in rail blue livery
roadnumber = 56001–56135
totalproduction = 135
builder = Electroputere (56001–56030)
BREL (56031–56135)
builddate = 1976–1984
gauge = RailGauge|ussg|lk=on|as=on
primemover = Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT
alternator =
tractionmotors =
whytetype = Co-Co
uicclass = Co'Co'
wheeldiameter =
minimumcurve =
trainbrakes = Air
locobrakeforce = convert|59|LTf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=in
wheelbase =
length = convert|63|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on
width = convert|9|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on
height = convert|12|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on
weight = convert|123|LT|sigfig=3|lk=on
topspeed = convert|80|mph|0|abbr=on|lk=on
poweroutput = "Engine:" convert|3250|bhp|0|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = "Maximum:" convert|61800|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on
fuelc
convert|1150|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on
trainheating = None
multipleworking = ◆ Red Diamond
axleloadclass = Route availability 7
railroad = British Rail
EWS
FastlineThe 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.

The first thirty locomotives (Nos.56001-56030) were built by Electroputere in Romania, but these suffered from poor construction standards, and many were withdrawn from service early. The remaining 105 locomotives were built by BREL at Doncaster Works (Nos.56031 to 56115) and Crewe Works (Nos.56116 to 56135). Enthusiasts nicknamed them "Grids", likely due to the grid-like horn cover on the locomotive's cab ends.

Technical details

Engine

When introduced, class 56s were arguably the first of the "second generation" of UK diesel locomotives.

The engine is a direct descendent of English Electric CSVT types, its closest relative being the 16CSVT used in the British Rail Class 50. Technical advances included significantly uprated turbochargers, gear given camshafts in place of the timing chain used on class 50s, and uprated cylinder heads, fuel pumps and injectors. The engine was nominally rated at 3520hp, but was set at 3250hp for rail use.

Electrical equipment

A key difference between class 56s and the earlier designs of the 1950s and 1960s is the use of self-exciting alternators rather than direct current (DC) generators for the generation of traction current and auxiliary supply. This produces a far more robust power unit, and greatly reduces the risk of flash-overs and other earth faults. Traction supply was rectified since the type employs DC traction motors. Many auxiliary machines (such as compressors and traction motor blowers) used the unrectified 3 phase AC output of the auxiliary alternator, and therefore run at a speed proportional to engine r.p.m.

Brakes

Class 56s were the first type to be built with air train brakes only, using the Davies and Metcalfe E70 system. Earlier designs had variously been fitted with vacuum train brakes, or a dual braking system.

Operation

In service the class 56 proved to be a strong and capable locomotive, and certainly less prone to wheelslip than the class 58. However, maintenance needs were high by modern standards, and notwithstanding significant investment by Trans-Rail and Load-Haul in their class 56 fleets in the 1990s, the class could not compete with the more modern class 66 in terms of availability or maintenance costs. As class 66 imports gathered pace the writing was on the wall for EWS operated class 56s, which looked increasingly like locomotives from another era.

Class 56s today

Most examples were withdrawn by EWS on 31 March 2004. Some were subsequently reinstated for use on construction trains connected with the LGV Est in France, although all such locomotives have now returned to the UK.The rest work for Fastline

In 2006, two locomotives (56045 and 56124) were overhauled at Brush Traction and renumbered as 56301 and 56302 for Fastline, the British freight company launched by Jarvis and are still in service. 56125 was returned to service after a less thorough overhaul by FMRail and numbered 56303. The small fleet has never achieved particularly impressive availability, and there have been significant problems with bogies, turbochargers, and low power.

Formerly preserved 56057 (renumbered 56311) and 56003 (renumbered 56312) are now operated by Hanson Traction Ltd, the speculative spot hire business of IT entrepreneur Garcia Hanson. It is proposed that 56128 will follow suit. It remains to be seen whether Hanson Traction Ltd will be able to offer reliable and competitive locomotives in a market awash with significantly more modern and reliable traction.

Preservation

Three class 56s are currently preserved.

External links

* [http://www.class56group.co.uk/ Class 56 Group - owners of preserved loco no. 56040]
* [http://www.class56.co.uk/ Class 56 Diesel Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.nlr.org.uk/ The custodians of 56098]
* [http://www.electroputere.ro/vfu/en/P/sgC.php?aCode=g1&aSgCode=s5 Electroputere Catalogue Entry for LDE 3500 HP-BR]
* [http://www.stephenmarsh.fotopic.net/c1317136.html The Class 56 section of Ste's railway gallery]