GBRf donates Class 56 engines to diesel projects

Preservation groups benefit from the Class 69 conversion programme.

BOTH the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society (IDRS) and Class 40 Preservation Society (CFPS) have benefited from the donation of Class 56 power units from main line freight operator GB Railfreight.

These units have become available as they are being replaced by General Motors engines during the Class 56 to Class 69 conversion programme.

IDRS has taken delivery of a Ruston Paxman engine and alternator for use in the project to re-create LMS No. 10000. The society already owns an English Electric 16SVT power unit, which is intended to be the first-choice engine in the new loco, but this low-hours power unit is a backup, as will be a 16SVT promised to the project, which is still situated on a military base.

GBRf’s engineering strategy director Bob Tiller said: “I am pleased that GBRf has been able to donate the power unit and ex-Class 56 No. 56104 parts to the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society, and to assist in the building of what was one of the first development diesel locomotives in the UK. GBRf believes history and the development of railway traction on British Railways is an important part of our heritage, therefore we very much wish you success with this exciting project.”

Final development

IDRS secretary Andrew Hoseason said: “We are very grateful to GBRf and ProgressRail (at Longport, Staffordshire) for donating this alternator and power unit together with many other parts and spares.”

The Ruston 6RK3CT used in the Class 56 fleet was the final development of the 16SVT Mk.1 found in pioneer main line diesel locos Nos. 10000, 10001, 10201 and 10202, and so there is parts commonality between the first and last variants of this excellent design.

This power unit will provide the IDRS with static test facilities for the loco’s systems in-house at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, prior to fitting to the former Class 58 No. 58022 frame and EM2 bogies. It will be retrofitted with VTR 200 turbos, Class 20 injectors and fuel pumps to effectively de-rate the power unit to 1800bhp at 750rpm up to a maximum of 2100bhp at 900rpm.

Class 40 benefits too

The Class 40 Preservation Society has also received a Class 56 power unit from GBRf to assist with the return to operation of No. 40135, which has an English Electric 16SVT engine.

This unit has come from Class 56 No. 56312 (56003), but in this case the engine will be dismantled to recover the crankshaft as a replacement of the cracked item in the Class 40’s engine.

No. 40135 is based on the East Lancashire Railway and has recently been repainted in BR blue. It has not run for nearly five years.

In order to complete this work, further finance is required and for details of how to help visit the CFPS’s website at www.cfps.co.uk.

PHIL MARSH / HASSARD STACPOOLE HS2 BRIDGES IN PLACE: Two bridges that will carry railways over HS2 in Buckinghamshire have been moved into place. The one near Calvert (below), will carry East West Rail over HS2, with this view on December 15 looking north along the alignment of the high speed line. Another one west of Stoke Mandeville (pictured right), will carry the Aylesbury to Princes Risborough line over HS2. It is seen in place on November 23 prior to the HS2 route being dug out underneath it and the Risborough line slewed across to use it.