Fastline 56301 at Ince Moss - 31st March 2025

Fastline liveried 56301 is seen arriving and departing from a signal check on the curve of track linking Bamfurlong and Ince Moss and the St Helens line on the morning of Monday 31st March 2025.

The stunning class 56 locomotive was hauling 15 VTG/Cappagh JNA-T Boxes of sand on the Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings train to Pilkington Glass factory in St Helens.

DCRail has moved to enhance its bulk and heavy haul freight capabilities. The rail freight arm of the Cappagh Group has finalised an agreement to acquire Class 56 locomotive 56301 from Class 56 Locomotives Limited. The diesel locomotive, currently on hire to DCRail, will officially join the fleet on 1 April 2024. Derby-based DCRail has grown rapidly since 2019, with the additional locomotive supporting current activities focused on the movement of bulk commodities such as aggregates and industrial minerals.

Words from the Class 56 group

The Class 56 Group is pleased to announce the completion of the transfer of 56301 to new owners DC Rail ( part of Cappagh Group).
We are proud to have been part of the locomotives history and it’s a sobering thought that we owned and operated 56301 for 14 years. BR only owned it for 16 years. During those 14 years the loco travelled far and wide giving enthusiasts a chance to see and photograph it in far flung locations across the network. The revenue generated by the mainline hire work helped fund work on 56006, the upkeep of 56301 itself and purchase of tools and spare parts for 56006.

Of course the loco spent significant periods out of traffic, for wheelset issues and more recently power unit repairs. It was never our long term plan to own two locos. The time and effort spent managing a mainline registered locomotive was significant and the sale of 56301 will release us all to concentrate our efforts on 56006.

Amazing to see this locomotive at last and hopefully with her now working for DC Rail we'll see her on this job regularly. 56091 and especially 56103 haven't been ran much in recent months.

The official working today 6M89 0405 6M89 0405 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings

Arrived 1054
Running 4 early

Departed 1058
Running Ontime Sidings

Arrived 1054
Running 4 early

Departed 1058
Running Ontime

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Filmed at Ince Moss Curve
Filmed Monday 31st March 2025

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