The 3,300hp Class 56s brought new power to Britain’s freight traffic and a distinctive engine note with their turbo charged Ruston Paxman engine. MIKE WILD inspects Heljan’s eagerly awaited first ready-to-run model of the Type 5 for ‘O’ gauge.
The Class 56s are synonymous with heavy freight traffic – and a firm favourite amongst enthusiasts.
The first arrived in 1976 to provide new traction for the movement of coal to power stations and featured a turbo charged Ruston Paxman 16RK3CT engine which delivered a maximum power output of 3,300hp.
