British Rail Class 56

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
• Commonwealth	Co-Co
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length	63 ft 6 in (19.35 m)
Width	9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Height	12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Loco weight	123 long tons (125 t)
Fuel capacity	1,150 imp gal (5,200 L; 1,380 US gal)
Prime mover	Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT
Alternator	Brush BA1101A
Traction motors	Brush TM73-62
MU working	◆ Red Diamond
Train heating	None
Train brakes	Air

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electroputere 56001–56030; BREL Doncaster 56031–56114; BREL Crewe 56115-56135;
Model	LDE3500
Build date	1976–1984
Total produced	135

British Rail Class 56
Electroputere LDE 3500
British Rail Class 56 ; Electroputere LDE 3500
	A Class 56 at Doncaster Works in 2003
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electroputere 56001–56030; BREL Doncaster 56031–56114; BREL Crewe 56115-56135;
Model	LDE3500
Build date	1976–1984
Total produced	135
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
• Commonwealth	Co-Co
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length	63 ft 6 in (19.35 m)
Width	9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Height	12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Loco weight	123 long tons (125 t)
Fuel capacity	1,150 imp gal (5,200 L; 1,380 US gal)
Prime mover	Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT
Alternator	Brush BA1101A
Traction motors	Brush TM73-62
MU working	◆ Red Diamond
Train heating	None
Train brakes	Air
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	80 mph (129 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 3,250 bhp (2,424 kW) ; at rail: 2,400 bhp (1,790 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 61,800 lbf (275 kN) ; Continuous: 53,950 lbf (240 kN) at 16.8 mph (27 km/h)
Brakeforce	59 long tons-force (588 kN)
Operators
Career
Operators	British Rail; Colas Rail; English Welsh & Scottish; Fastline; Floyd Zrt.; UK Rail Leasing
Numbers	56001–56135
Nicknames	Gridirons, Grids
Axle load class	Route availability 7
Withdrawn	1991-present
Disposition	3 preserved, 35 still in service, remainder scrapped.; Conversions to Class 69 ongoing

The British Rail Class 56 is a type of diesel locomotive designed for heavy freight work. It is a Type 5 locomotive, with a Ruston-Paxman power unit developing 3,250 bhp (2,423 kW), and has a Co-Co wheel arrangement. Enthusiasts nicknamed them "Gridirons" (or "Grids" for short), due to the grid-like horn cover on the locomotive's cab ends fitted to nos. 56056 onwards. Under its Romanian railway factory nomenclature, the locomotive was named Electroputere LDE 3500, with LDE coming from Locomotivă Diesel-Electrică (Diesel-Electric Locomotive) and the 3500 being the planned horsepower output.

The Class 56 fleet was introduced between 1976 and 1984, a total of 135 examples were manufactured. The first 30 locomotives (56001 - 56030, factory classification LDE3500) were built by Electroputere in Romania, but these typically suffered from poor construction standards and many were withdrawn from service early for extensive rebuilding before re-entering revenue service. The remaining 105 locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Doncaster Works (56031 to 56115) and Crewe Works (56116 to 56135).

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