Sunday 15th September.
Gala all over now and we are really pleased to report that 56006 performed all timetabled duties.
56006 passes Ewood Bridge working 1G65 Bury-Rawtenstall.
Photo Alfie Mottershead
The loco was only producing decent power output at low speeds and the power dropped off as speed increased. While the power was adequate for most sections and train loads on occasion one of the other locos gave a bit of a shove. After all the issues we’ve had in the last three years we are just glad the locomotive appeared at the gala and survived both days. A few negative comments were far outweighed by positive support and that’s great to hear.
Our greatest achievement has been building up our volunteer team to the point we are not reliant on the original core team of three or four regular volunteers.
We now have a decent team and without their involvement and efforts 56006 wouldn’t have progressed to the state we saw at the Gala.
So I’d like to thank the team:-
In no particular order , Mick Palfreyman , Danny Sladdin, Alan Flockhart, Phil Vidamour, Gareth Broughton, George Bulmer, Peter Coates, Alex Bulmer, Harrison Phillips, Paul Hulme, Allan Robertson.David Argent and many others involved in the background.
The Bury Hydraulic Group helped with some welcome online publicity for the Gala and specifically 56006’s return to traffic. The YouTube video may give the impression the whole of the BHG were involved with 56006 ,but it was mainly one chap, Malc who worked alongside our Tecnical Officer Mick Palfreyman for best part of a week to iron out the electrical issues on the locos complex fault detection circuitry. These issues were affecting the basic functioning of the locomotive and if they hadn’t been resolved the loco would have been a no show for the gala.
To mark the fact that both Mick and Malc were instrumental in making sure 56006 was available for the gala we’ve reallocated 56006 to the depot where they worked/work.
So with our core C56G team, supplemented by BHG and CFPS we have a much bigger team than we had, and we even have some younger volunteers which is essential. These younger volunteers are in the process of overhauling our communications and focusing on website and other firms of social media and this is already beginning to take effect and the team are aiming to give regular updates as we progress with work on 56006. A C56G on line shop and online membership and donation options are soon to be introduced ( which is something we should already have but plan to catch up fast)
In summary
We’ve got the loco to the stage we saw at the gala and there is a plan to investigate the possible causes of the low power issue.
But, we still have a lot to do and need your continuing support to get 56006 back in great condition.
Support , whether that is financial or volunteering, is what we will need to progress.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for interest in the Class 56 Group. If you want to get in touch please use the email address on the website, or our other developing social media platforms.
13th September 2024. GALA DAY #1
Considering 56006 was still effectively continuing test running,albeit in front of a decent crowd of people who were very eager to experience the return to service, the locomotive wasn’t performing 100% and did require a little assistance from the class 40 at some stages. .
That said the loco fulfilled all its duties and at the end of the day the class 50 was put on top of 56006 and 40145 for the final run to Heywood. At Heywood the 50 had an issue and 56006 was used to bring the whole train back to Bury. We stopped on the approach to Bury , but that wasn’t the 56 but a brake application from the 40 or the 50. On this run 56006 suddenly decided it would do what it should do and gave full power at various points on the run back to Bury. We then propelled the 50 back to Baron Street and stabled up for Saturdsy.
An early start for the team today as we’re going to try and fathom what the issue is, although the 56 did seem to fix itself on the final run.
Given the other issues encountered by several other locos during the day we are pleased 56006 survived the day unscathed and is out again today 13:50 is first train.
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12th September 2024
After some minor attention today, 56006 has been declared fit for the Gala this weekend. Subject to the usual caveats of course.
The volunteer team are really looking forward to the weekend.
11th September 2024
56006 undertook planned test runs today.There is some further resting to carry out tomorrow and then a fitness to run examination needs completing.
Updates to follow tomorrow.
Monday 9th September 2024.
56006 is expected to go on a test run on Wednesday afternoon. Of course things can change but loco should undergo further testing while running on the section between Bury and Heywood.
Saturday 7th September – early evening
A successful day today with all planned jobs being completed.
Enjoy this video made by our friends at the Bury Hydraulic Group showing some of recent efforts to get 56006 ready.
A test run is being planned for one day this coming week. Details to follow.
Saturday 7th September 2024 early morning
More testing on 56006 took place yesterday and in late afternoon the loco was taken for a short test run involving a run up Broadfield Bank on the way up to Heywood. No issues were reported and a further days work today should see some outstanding jobs completed. These include fully refitting the roof and floor plates which had to be removed to facilitate the overhauled traction blower motor to be refitted. Tidying up the cabs and generally removing the multitude of tools and test equipment from the loco in anticipation of some form of loaded test run which should take place in 6 days we have left before the Autumn Gala.
Updates to follow as we have more to tell.
56006 seen during recent preparation for an anticipated return to service at the upcoming Autumn Diesel Gala (Friday 13th/ Saturday 14th)
Thursday 5th September 2024
Further to earlier reports, we have managed to progress some of the electrical issues using a combination of C56G and BHG (Bury Hydraulic Group) Technical teams.
Progress is being made the loco taking power but still throwing up a few other issues. Work has been carried out during the weekend and Monday and Tuesday this week.
Further testing is continuing today (Wednesday) and a small team of volunteers are attending on Saturday to carry out :-
refitting of floor plates and covers and a general tidy up of cabs etc in advance of a possible test run next week.
Replacing a defective Ammeter, Temperature control module and fixing a cab droplight.
Of course the outcome is heavily dependent on the efforts of the technical team during today and we will update as they report back later today.