Although the Metals sub-sector was initially given a small allocation of ‘Grids’ upon the division of the locomotive fleet in 1987, these were removed just months later. It would be the 1990s before the class was again officially allocated to steel duties, first in South Wales and then the North East. Simon Bendall details their history.
THE end of 1987 saw Railfreight divide its motive power assets between the newly created sub-sectors, this also bringing the first use of the new pool codes.
When it came to the Class 56s, the vast majority were required for power station coal traffic originating from the North East and Yorkshire coalfields, while the bulk of the remainder went to Construction to haul aggregates traffic from the Mendips and Leicestershire.Out of the 135-strong class, just nine were left over, with the Petroleum sub-sector taking the trio of Nos. 56035/ 36/48, while Railfreight (later Trainload) Metals was given Nos. 56050-53/55/56. These six locos were all allocated to the FMCS pool from December 1987, being allocated to Cardiff Canton, and principally deployed on the heavy Port Talbot to Llanwern iron ore trains in pairs.
At this time, all carried the original Railfreight grey livery, except No. 56052, which was in Railfreight Red Stripe.
Bu hikaye Rail Express dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Rail Express dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
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