Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2015 - Locomotive Profile: 56006

56006 was built in 1976 at Electroputere, Craiova, Romania, as subcontractor to Brush. It was handed over at Zeebrugge on 8th September that year, and in November worked some test workings. It entered traffic on 25th February 1977, the first of the class to enter service, following a number of rectification actions.

In EWS ownership the locomotive was used at a number of galas until withdrawn in December 2003, and was then kept at Barrow Hill, although it was sold to EMR in late 2011. It was later sold to the Class 56 Group. In July 2014 it was transferred to UK Rail Leasing at Leicester for repairs, from where it was picked up to take in convoy to the Swanage Gala.

I first noted 56006 on 1st August 1982 on a southbound trip on the ECML.

Class 56 Group: 56006 notches up successful Swanage visit thanks to UKRL & her support crew

Leaving Harman's Cross with 2N04 09:15 fom Swanage.

Returning to Harman's Cross with 1N01 10:20 from Norden.

Preparing for 2N12 12:15 from Swanage.

Departing with this train.

Returning into Swanage with 1N05 13:20 from Norden.

Waiting in the platform having completed its duties at the Swanage Gala - next stop Didcot !