ONE OF the more intriguing stories of the year so far is the preparation of two Colas Rail Class 56s for export. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, but Ghana is widely touted as their planned destination.
Romic is facilitating the move, as it has already exported HSTs to both Nigeria and Mexico and so has experience of brokering such deals. It has also previously advertised that it was looking for locos for export to clients in Africa.
However, understandably, it would not be drawn on the speculation, merely saying: “Unfortunately we are not permitted to comment at this time. We are bound by the terms of a very strict confidentiality agreement, as are any partners in the UK we may be working with.”
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What is known is that 56302 (ex-56124), to be followed by 56094, have been prepared for export by Boden Rail Engineering at Colwick. 56302 is already painted in all over white with a black roof and has had window protectors – a common feature on African locos – fitted.
Both locos are owned by Colas outright. Its ten-strong Class 56 fleet is split five and five between Colas and Beacon Rail ownership. The Colas locos are 56049/051/078/094/302 while Beacon Rail leases 56087/090/096/105/113 to the freight operator, although 56087/096 have been withdrawn from traffic for some considerable period.
Class 56s are no longer front line traction for Colas, but had been retained for the 2025 RHTT season. However, while most locos were expected to go into warm store, 56049/051 have all been retained in active traffic. 56090/105 appeared at the Bo’ness diesel gala on May 15-17, 56113 has remained stored at Coleham and 56078 is stored at Colwick.
The railway in the west coast African nation is operated by the nationalised Ghana Rail Company, although private companies are used to build and maintain the infrastructure.
Although most of lines are still narrow gauge, some are being rebuilt to standard gauge which suggests acquiring second hand locomotives is an attractive and affordable proposition. Although many of the lines in the country are closed or mothballed, a triangle of routes remain open between Takoradia, Accra and Kumasi. There is also a branch to Awaso off the Takoradi-Kumasi line.
V-Rail has been suggested as the company that could be acquiring the locos, but it did not respond to RI’s request for comment.
