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Black and Blue

Class 56s have been a familiar sight hauling coal trains on Humberside for more than 20 years. This programme, filmed on December 11th 2002, features BR corporate blue-liveried 56 006 ‘Wired for Sound’ on a working synonymous with the class in more recent years - the Immingham to Scunthorpe coal. The outward 7C77 working conveys imported coal from Immingham Bulk Terminal to the Corus steelworks at Scunthorpe. The trailing load is 1,600 tonnes, which provides a stiff test for the Rumanian-built 56. The train first weaves its way through the fascinating rail complex serving Immingham Docks before heading towards Ulceby and Brocklesby Junction. At Barnetby, a location renowned for its superb collection of semaphore signals, the 7C77 bears right at Wrawby Junction to tackle the short but sharp climb up Elsham bank. Manual crossing gates and more semaphores follow at Elsham and Appleby before the 56 encounters the most challenging part of the journey – the severe climb up Appleby bank which has the ‘Grid’ at full chat. After that is Scunthorpe and another fascinating maze of trackwork. After negotiating its way across an almost endless series of points the 7C77 finally arrives in Scunthorpe Yard with its wagons loaded with ‘black gold’. 56 006 then swaps trains by attaching on to the 6C75 empties for a spirited non-stop run back to Immingham Bulk Terminal. The 45-mile run was filmed on a glorious winters afternoon, the blue ‘Grid’ reviving memories from the late 1970’s and early 80’s. With Class 56 operation on the Scunthorpe coal now at an end, this programme provides a nostalgic reminder of what was once an everyday sight.

“For fans of Class 56s, railfreight in general, carbides and coal trains, then this programme should not disappoint. The sound quality is great.” RAIL MAGAZINE
 

Programme Fact File