No Ruddington future for ‘Grid’

CLASS 56 No. 56097’s time at the Nottingham Heritage Railway is coming to an end.

With the line formerly known as the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) not currently operating and a scaled-back operation forecast when services do resume, owning group Grid 56097 is deciding on the future of the first preserved member of this class after the NHR board advised that it is no longer required.

In a statement, the group said: “While it is very sad that an operational loco is having to leave a non-operational railway, we want to thank everyone who has supported the locomotive during the 17 years spent at the NHR/GCR(N).”

The group is considering two main options, the first being to look for a new home and operational base, or to “pass the baton and for someone else to take on” the locomotive, which would be offered with a large collection of spares.