GB Railfreight donates Class 56 power unit for use on Ivatt Diesel Locomotive No. 10000

Class 56 No. 56104's power unit and alternator have been delivered to The Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society for use on LMS 10000.

GB Railfreight donated the power unit and valuable spares as the Class 56 is converted into a Class 69 at Progress Rail.

The gift will enable work to speed up on the LMS locomotive.

The society already has an English Electric 16SVT power unit which is intended to be first choice for the locomotive and this power unit from 56104 is seen as a backup.

This power unit was the final development of the 16SVT Mk1 found in 10000 and there are still common parts found in the first and last variant.

This power unit will allow the IDRS to statically test the locomotive's systems at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway prior to fitting on the locomotive chassis, which came from 58022.

The power unit is to be retrofitted with VTR200 turbos as well as Class 20 injectors and fuel pumps to de-rate the power from 1800bhp at 750rpm to a maximum of 2100bhp at 900 rpm.

Bob Tiller, Engineering Strategy Director of GB Railfreight Ltd said: “I am pleased that GBRf have been able to donate the power unit and ex-class 56 104 parts to the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society and to assist in the building of what were one of the first development diesel locomotives in the UK. GBRF believe history and the development of railway traction on British Railways is important part of our heritage therefore we very much wish you success with this exciting project.”

The IDRS Secretary, Andrew Hoseason, said “We are very grateful to GBRF and ProgressRail for donating this alternator and power unit together with many other parts and spares from 56104.  This equipment will save the charity much time and many thousands of pounds against the final completion cost of our loco.  It is difficult to emphasise what a difference GBRF and ProgressRail have made.”