56006: The Comeback Continues - A Long Way To Go! (Part 1.5)

[@laszlofyre845]

One of the dirty 30. In one of my old sheds too. Hope you get it sorted! Worked this one many times BITD as a relief driver. You got away with the starter overheat trips locking out, so the omens are good. Don't chuck the towel in! I'd give a gallon of ale to work this one again on a big train- last time it was Glazebrook tanks, when ti was very new, (and the heaters/aircon with a silly great dangling thermocouple on its copper pipe) that still let frost form on the inside of the windows in the winter of 79. Oh, how this loco owes me.....!

[@J0nnyGT]

Great to hear memories like this when these machines where new

[@DOCTORDROTT]

well done, I worked on these from new at Canton, did twelve engine rebuilds in 18 months. Make sure the start contactors are in good condition and check rotation of any electrical machines removed when refitting .

[@J0nnyGT]

I’m sure the Class 56 group and all the other diesel groups would massively appreciate your help and experience with these locos. Experience and knowledge is key with these old BR machines.

[@octopus680]

I sure hope it can -another star attraction!!

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Powerful locos, we had a few at Westbury in BR days pulling 2500 ton stone trains.

[@danielsellers8707]

A bit ironic that 56031 Merehead (one of the Yeoman locos displaced by the very first UK EMDs) now has an EMD engine!

[@HPsawus]

Thanks a lot for making these videos, as a member of the C56G it makes me incredibly happy to see support for 006!

[@J0nnyGT]

It’s not our bag but we can’t sit back when another group needs help

[@simongurden9848]

Good work guys. Keep it up. Classic loco

[@J0nnyGT]

Thanks mate, Please come along to the ELR to support our gala.

[@Grid56]

I remember this gorgeous beast coming to an ELR gala with 47 406 (the sapper) . It will be good to see it fixed.😊

[@J0nnyGT]

I think loads are waiting to see the loco return

[@brianwillson9567]

Congratulations on the work you are doing. But, if i were buying a 56, it would be from 56031 upwards.

[@J0nnyGT]

Not my cuppa to be honest. I would rather have another warship. D818 would have been nice

[@class50thrasher]

Aswell as fuel filters, id check injectors too. Looks like you guys are doing a mint job, keep up the good work!

[@J0nnyGT]

Fingers crossed it runs!

[@HPsawus]

I was there when the blower burnt out , it smelled absolutely horrible😂

[@J0nnyGT]

Was a horrible smell and sad for the group. They deserve some good luck. All the best from the BHG!

[@hermitageroad4713]

good luck

[@J0nnyGT]

Many thanks.

[@paulnolan1352]

One of the original Romanian built Locos then extensively modified by BR at Doncaster. Is this one still running a Paxman 16Cylinder?

[@J0nnyGT]

Sure is almost completely original. To be precise it has a Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT

[@westcosttrainsD345]

Hello BHG I hope you having a great day I was just wondering on the day, I am doing this comment it is two days before the diesel gala starts so I was wondering if class 56 006 is attending any of the diesel gala days

[@J0nnyGT]

Sorry only just spotted this comment. Hope the 56 will come back for another gala. Hope has not been lost yet!

[@ThePennineWanderer]

Is there an allocated date set for it to do tests? 👍

[@Transport_Roundhouse]

Anything yet about it attending? Cheers

[@J0nnyGT]

Have a look for ELR summer diesel gala group on Facebook to keep up to date

[@petersmith4455]

hi there, have they checked the piston rings and the valves. is the pump getting full throttle ? or has this loco had a hard time and needs a full engine re- rebuild ?

[@J0nnyGT]

Honestly can’t comment as I’m not directly involved with the group but sure they would appreciate your help. The power issue is electrical related as there is an earth fault.

[@Transport_Roundhouse]

Is it true the test run is Tormorrow?

[@J0nnyGT]

Thanks for your comment No not tomorrow - first the traction motor blower would need to be replaced.

[@Transport_Roundhouse]

​@@J0nnyGTcheers pal

[@westcosttrainsD345]

@@J0nnyGT do you think you’ll be able to get it working in time for the diesel gala, and how many traction motor blows is the normally on a class 56 BTW good luck fixing it. I hope everything goes well.

[@J0nnyGT]

@@westcosttrainsD345 it’s a big ask to be totally honest but we will do our best. The loco has two motors (from memory 🤪) and the no.2 end decided it didn’t want to play. Not a massive issue changing it but the power fault could be the show stopper. We are helping as best we can with the C56G but we also need to prep our locos for the gala! Time is not on our side but you can help by supporting us by attending the gala.

[@westcosttrainsD345]

@@J0nnyGT don’t worry I was going to to gala on the Saturday from the first train to the last train because I the love East Lancashire railway most people under rate the East Lancashire Railway because the diesel gala is apparently bad versus Keighley and Worth Valley and the seven Valley diesel galas but the east Lanks has a special charm and I hope you can get 56006 up and running and I hope you can get the rest of the locos ready and one more question is any of the guest Locos joining maybe from DC rail or any other operators

[@paulkeightley6545]

In my opinion they should have moved to a more centralised railway such as the GCR or the Severn Valley etc , where some cover could be provided to keep it dry & work under cover. Perhaps such a move might have attracted some ex BR fitters from Toton / Tinsley who would have been interested in providing their skills. The group should have used social media to appeal for people to come forward then surely it wouldn't have got in this state.

[@J0nnyGT]

While I appreciate your input, your comments are not only misguided but also disrespectful to both the ELR and the 56 owning group. The locomotive is currently undergoing extensive work inside at the loco works by highly skilled ex-BR fitters and a gang of current 56 mainline fitters. Although the BHG doesn’t focus on the 56 class due to our preference for hydraulics, we actively support the 56 group (and any other loco group…but draw the line at steam!) with technical expertise, spare parts, and labour whenever needed. Our collaboration with the SVR is strong, and at the ELR, our locomotives are well taken care of and are undercover all year round. During our visit for the gala, undercover accommodations simply weren’t feasible as they don’t have the facilities to store locos inside. They have the smashing TMD but we have the loco works which any loco can use. So, thanks for your suggestions, but we’ll be continuing our efforts without them.🙂

[@paulkeightley6545]

All news to me 😂 this is why I ain't a member of the group anymore since it was formed in 1992! No info whatsoever only a twenty page, three times a year magazine with nothing more than a few fuzzy photos and news that is months old on the colas & DCR locos. Even the secretary of the group couldn't even reply to my emails!

[@J0nnyGT]

I suggest you take this up with the loco group. Our locos are D9531, D7076, D832 and D1041. These are our bread and butter plus we love’em! 56 really ain’t our thing but we can’t sit back and see another group suffer. I’d suggest you might be better getting involved in a group and steer them in the right direction 😂😂

[@SamJacob-si2cy]

Is that a Romania class 56

[@J0nnyGT]

Yes and the only remaining one I believe.