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What we are about?
In the early 1990s, there were no preservation groups dedicated to Class 56s and so there was the real danger that none of these fine locomotives would be saved for preservation.
So on 2nd May 1992, convening in the Strode Arms pub in Cranmore during a break in Pathfinder Tour’s “Aggregator” railtour (which was hauled by 56056 and 56062), founding members Alan Hawkins and Roger Elliott set about rectifying this situation. The result was the formation of the Class 56 Group in August 1992, with the aim of catering for people who are interested in the Class 56 locomotives and wanted to see one or more of these fine locomotives preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Keith Bulmer
Chair
To help fulfill the Class 56 Group’s main aim of preserving a Class 56 for future generations to enjoy, fund raising started almost immediately, and in November 2005 all the hard work involved in fund raising came to fruition, when the group saved its first locomotive for preservation, namely 56040 “Oystermouth”. Whilst it had taken the group a long time to achieve this aim, when 56040 “Oystermouth” arrived at its new home at Dereham on the Mid Norfolk Railway on Tuesday 27th June 2006, it was the fitting culmination to nearly 14 years of hard work.
For some groups that would have been enough, but in February 2011 the Class 56 Group went one stage further and saved 56301 (the former 56045), which was (and still is) certified for use on the national mainline network. Unfortunately, the purchase of 56301 came with a “bittersweet pill to swallow”, in that to be able to afford to purchase 56301, the group would have to sacrifice 56040 to the scrap man!!
33+
Year of
Experience
3
Locomotives Preserved
140+
Current Members
Committee Members
Meet the guys who run the Group
Keith Bulmer
Chair
Phil Vidamour
PR Officer
Chris Brooks
Membership
Jim Nisbet
Treasurer
From The Blog
Latest Grid News & Articles
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56006 Sunday Service
Another good day for 006 completing 3 round trips on the east Lancs railway. Our focus now shifts to the…
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56006 Running Day – Sunday 22nd June 2025
56006 will be running the Diesel turns on the Orange Timetable this coming Sunday 22nd June. The first departure is…
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Successful test run today.
56006 performed well today following repairs to rectify an electrical problem which has prevented full power being obtained. We can…
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56006 Test Run 8th June on 14:45 service train departure from Bury(ELR)
Following a test run last Friday to determine cause of low power issues volunteers have carried out investigation and repairs.…
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Current Sale Items
Our website will soon be updated and will give you an option to join and buy online. In the meantime…
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56006 Running Days Update
Good morning all. Who doesn’t love a class 56. After an amazing weekend in swanage and SVR next week with…
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YouTube Channel
Class 56 Group You Tube Channel
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Class 56 Group Sale Items
Good morning all we are back at the Lancs this weekend to work on 006 so will update you all…
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56301under new ownership.
The Class 56 Group is pleased to announce the completion of the transfer of 56301 to new owners DC Rail…
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56301 update 29th March 2025
Crewe is the place to be on Monday. Not only should 56301 pass through around 10 o’clock on the working…
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Update Feb 2025
Hopefully members have received their latest edition of Gridiron. SInce Gridiron went to press we have seen 56301 move from…
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ELR shunter event yesterday
A good day yesterday, even if it was a bit chilly. 56006, for once! , did exactly what it was…