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Hornby R30480TXS

BR - Class 56 - 56001 (DCC Sound Fitted)

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

This BR Class 56 model locomotive is pre-fitted with sound and controllable via your HM7000 app for an impressive digital hobby experience. With sprung metal buffers and NEM tension lock couplings, this stylish blue and yellow model is a wonderful addition to your model railway layout. 

The 50th anniversary of the completion of the first Class 56 is marked in 2026. The first of the 135-strong class arrived at Harwich from Romania in 1976, before commissioning by BR the following year. Only 30 examples were imported, due to relatively poor build quality, and these were subsequently rebuilt. 

The remainder of the class were assembled by BREL at Doncaster and Crewe, with Ashford, Eastleigh, and Swindon supplying sub-assemblies, while Ruston-Paxman supplied the power units. No.56001 was new to Tinsley and withdrawn from Cardiff Canton in September 1996 after 19 years and six months in service with BR.

Product videos

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  HM I DCC - Advanced Control System Arrives!

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Hornby BR Class 56 – 56001 (DCC Sound fitted) is supplied with the manufacturer part number R30480TXS and represents the British Rail blue TOPS livery.

The model is pre‑fitted with digital sound and can be controlled via the HM7000 app, providing DCC operation. It includes sprung metal buffers and NEM tension‑lock couplings, and is painted in the blue and yellow colour scheme typical of the class.

The first Class 56 locomotive entered service in 1976, and 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of that event. Of the 135 locomotives built, 30 were imported from Romania in 1976 and later rebuilt because of poor build quality; the remainder were assembled by BREL at Doncaster and Crewe with sub‑assemblies from Ashford, Eastleigh and Swindon, and power units supplied by Ruston‑Paxman.

No.56001 was newly allocated to Tinsley and was withdrawn from Cardiff Canton in September 1996 after 19 years and six months in British Rail service.