Transrail Class 56 047 Diesel Locomotive (DCC-Sound)

Transrail Class 56 047 Diesel Locomotive (DCC-Sound)

1:76 scale model produced by Hornby. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Features:

• DCC Sound Model
• This model mainly operates in Britain
• Decorated in Transrail company markings
• Best suited to 438mm radius curves

Details

The British Rail Class 56 is a classic British diesel-electric freight locomotive that became a favourite on the UK rail network from the mid-1970s onwards. Built between 1976 and 1984, a total of 135 Class 56 locomotives were produced to meet the growing demand for powerful heavy-haul freight traction, especially on coal, steel and bulk freight services. The first 30 were constructed in Romania, with the remainder built in the UK at Doncaster and Crewe works. Many enthusiasts nicknamed them “Grids” because of the distinctive grid-style horn covers on the nose.

Designed with a Co-Co wheel arrangement and a robust Ruston-Paxman prime mover rated at around 3,250 bhp, the Class 56 brought significantly more tractive power than earlier freight types and played a key role in merry-go-round coal workings and heavy freight traffic across Britain. Over their working life they wore a variety of liveries and were a common sight at freight depots and on national infrastructure work.

Although most were withdrawn by the early 2000s as newer locomotives arrived, a number continued in service with private operators and several have been preserved on heritage railways. For model railway collectors, the Class 56 is a compelling subject thanks to its rugged, industrial appearance, rich freight history and multiple detailed model releases in scales such as OO and N gauge, adding authentic heavy freight action to modern and heritage layouts alike.