OUT of action since March 2019, the Class 56 Group’s No. 56301 undertook a main line test run from UK Rail Leasing’s Leicester depot on July 12, in advance of it being hired by DC Rail. The Fastline liveried ‘Grid’ ran to Barrow Hill and back, with GB Railfreight No. 47749 City of Truro in tow for insurance purposes.
Following the successful outing, No. 56301 began its use with DCR on July 24, running from Leicester to Chaddesden Sidings, Derby, to be paired up with DCR No. 56091 Driver Wayne Gaskell. July 27 saw the pair operate the 6Z60 09.51 Willesden-Merehead Quarry and 6Z61 16.28 return, rekindling memories of the 1980s when Class 56s visited Merehead on a daily basis.
No. 56301 last saw regular main line use towards the end of 2018 and first quarter of 2019, when it was hired for shunting at Peak Forest. It subsequently underwent a bogie change
