56049 Powering Through Springs Branch – 16th August 2026

Colas Rail Freight Class 56 locomotive 56049 "Robin of Templecombe 1938 – 2013" is seen putting some power down heading north along the west coast main line and through Springs Branch south of Wigan on the cloudy afternoon of Sunday 16th August 2026.

The class 56 locomotive was working a light engine move from Coton Hil depot in Shrewsbury north to Carlisle. Seen running a few minutes early.

Sounding as always tremendous powered by a Ruston-Paxman 16RK3CT sixteen-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. This heavy-duty power unit produces 3,250 horsepower and is paired with Brush electrical traction equipment in a Co-Co wheel arrangement. 56049 was built in October 1978 by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Doncaster Works. It was part of the first batch of Class 56 heavy freight locomotives to be constructed in the UK following initial production in Romania.


The official working today 56049
0Z57 1100 Coton Hill Tc Gbrf to Carlisle N.Y.

Passed 1342
Running 4 early

Locomotive was used on The Slate Miner, Railway Touring Company Oxford to Blaenau Ffestiniog tour previous day

Routed via Wrexham General, Chester, Warrington and Penrith. Powering sounding amazing here


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Filmed at Springs Branch
Filmed Sunday 16th August 2026

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