Mainline Class 56 - Introduced in the 1983 Catalogue
The Mainline Class 56 was another step forward in 1980s modelling standards. It should be remembered that at this time, ready-to-run diesel models were somewhat limited in comparison to today. Lima was starting to produce a number of classes and together with the Mainline offerings, that was about it. Hornby had produced Classes 08 (ish), 25, 37, 47 and made an attempt at a Class 52. There was also a Wrenn Class 08 and a 20. The Class 56 model had a few discrepancies around the bogie and grill areas (which Hornby later retooled to produce much improved model), but by and large it captured the look of the prototype well, and so this was a very popular model. It was available as 56079 in BR Blue and 56086 in BR Large Logo livery.
Information on the prototype is widely available both in print and on the internet, so I won't go into great detail here. The Class 56s were designed by Brush Traction and construction commenced in 1976. They were freight engines, built without train heating and have top speed of 80mph/129km/h. The first thirty locos (56001 - 56030) were built at the Electroputere Works in Craiova, Romania, with the next thirty (56031 - 56060) being constructed at BREL Doncaster. Subsequent orders were placed for a further seventy-five locos (56061 - 56135) which were built at BREL Doncaster up to 1984. After test runs during 1976, the first locos entered service in February 1977. Several of the class can still be seen running toady with various private operators.
56079 was delivered new to British Rail in June 1980 and allocated to Tinsley Depot (TI) near Sheffield and withdrawn in December 1999 from Immingham Depot (IM) near Grimsby. The paint finish and markings are very nice, so some weathering is all that's needed to add realism to the workhorse. The roof generally got dirty very quickly although the cab roofs tended to stay a little cleaner, this was achieved using Lifecolor 'Roof Dirt'. I then added some matt black around the exhaust ports, working away from the ports allowing the paint to thin out. Dirt and dust collected on the body sides between the cab doors, particularly under the side grills. The cab sides were often less filthy and the paint was often visible. The bogies were usually covered in road dirt mixed in with brake dust and oil, as were the battery boxes, fuel tanks and air compressors. I used a mixture of Lifecolor paints including 'Frame Dirt', 'Brake Dust' and 'Sleeper Grime'. Finally I added some matt black around the fuel tanks and springs to represent oil leaks and stains. Photographs are an essential reference for weathering, but I never try to copy them exactly as weathering by its nature occurs naturally and will differ in appearance in different light. Overall I'm pleased with the results on this work worn freight loco.
The Mainline Class 56 was another step forward in 1980s modelling standards. It should be remembered that at this time, ready-to-run diesel models were somewhat limited in comparison to today. Lima was starting to produce a number of classes and together with the Mainline offerings, that was about it. Hornby had produced Classes 08 (ish), 25, 37, 47 and made an attempt at a Class 52. There was also a Wrenn Class 08 and a 20. The Class 56 model had a few discrepancies around the bogie and grill areas (which Hornby later retooled to produce much improved model), but by and large it captured the look of the prototype well, and so this was a very popular model. It was available as 56079 in BR Blue and 56086 in BR Large Logo livery.
Information on the prototype is widely available both in print and on the internet, so I won't go into great detail here. The Class 56s were designed by Brush Traction and construction commenced in 1976. They were freight engines, built without train heating and have top speed of 80mph/129km/h. The first thirty locos (56001 - 56030) were built at the Electroputere Works in Craiova, Romania, with the next thirty (56031 - 56060) being constructed at BREL Doncaster. Subsequent orders were placed for a further seventy-five locos (56061 - 56135) which were built at BREL Doncaster up to 1984. After test runs during 1976, the first locos entered service in February 1977. Several of the class can still be seen running toady with various private operators.
56079 was delivered new to British Rail in June 1980 and allocated to Tinsley Depot (TI) near Sheffield and withdrawn in December 1999 from Immingham Depot (IM) near Grimsby. The paint finish and markings are very nice, so some weathering is all that's needed to add realism to the workhorse. The roof generally got dirty very quickly although the cab roofs tended to stay a little cleaner, this was achieved using Lifecolor 'Roof Dirt'. I then added some matt black around the exhaust ports, working away from the ports allowing the paint to thin out. Dirt and dust collected on the body sides between the cab doors, particularly under the side grills. The cab sides were often less filthy and the paint was often visible. The bogies were usually covered in road dirt mixed in with brake dust and oil, as were the battery boxes, fuel tanks and air compressors. I used a mixture of Lifecolor paints including 'Frame Dirt', 'Brake Dust' and 'Sleeper Grime'. Finally I added some matt black around the fuel tanks and springs to represent oil leaks and stains. Photographs are an essential reference for weathering, but I never try to copy them exactly as weathering by its nature occurs naturally and will differ in appearance in different light. Overall I'm pleased with the results on this work worn freight loco.