The class 59s

[37501]

Great photos. The GM switcher looks huge when you stand beside it but they look small on their home territory alongside SD70Ms and GE 9-44CWs etc.

i remember watching coal trains at Lambert’s Point In Norfolk Virginia back in 1997. A pair of Norfolk Southern SD40-2s were pushing 70 loaded TopGon hoppers up a curved gradient onto the ship loading pier. Full power and at walking pace, the noise was deafening....

Will we see the 59/2s in Freightliner livery in the near future?

 

John

[Steadfast]

Presumably so, the DB red is getting rustier by the day and FL haven't bothered adding any branding to the 59s. One of them (think it's 206) still had all the DB in cab labels in tact and no Freightliner stickers internally when I was on it the other day

 

Jo

[Steadfast]

A couple more, from back in the spring

4,400t on the drawbar by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59205 eases towards Woodborough loop with 44 loaded hoppers in tow on 6L21 Whatley - Dagenham. The rear 18 wagons would be dropped at Dawley Loop for delivery to West Drayton, with the front 26 going forward to Dagenham with the loco. These Mendip jumbo services are the heaviest trains in the UK and most are handled by a single loco.

Mendip mix by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

One train that sums up the mix of parties involved with the Mendip contract at the time. 6C74, the Theale empties bound for Whatley (Hanson) is headed by 59005 'Kenneth J Painter' in AI livery, with a mix of DB, Mendip Rail and Hanson wagons in tow. 

 

Jo

[Erixtar1992]

The best part of the switcher banking the jumbos out, is that it does it without being coupled. When you think (hope) you have enough speed up to make it back beyond the signal, you give the driver a thumbs up and they just stop and leave you propelling back haha!

 

plus there is noone behind the move when propelling which is a bit of a strange feeling!

[Steadfast]

It reminded me of the bit in a space movie when the capsule drops away and gets smaller in the distance.

Of course the move is done over a bridleway crossing too. I'm sure that method of working wouldn't be allowed if they set it up today!

 

Jo

[The Stationmaster]

18 hours ago, Erixtar1992 said:

The best part of the switcher banking the jumbos out, is that it does it without being coupled. When you think (hope) you have enough speed up to make it back beyond the signal, you give the driver a thumbs up and they just stop and leave you propelling back haha!

 

plus there is noone behind the move when propelling which is a bit of a strange feeling!

Especially if that p.llock who used to use White's Crossing and always left the gates open is still around.  He always used to deny it and we never caught him red-handed but we made darned sure he knew exactly what might happen to him if he happened to meet a couple of thousand tonnes of stone train on the. crossing.

[Erixtar1992]

1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said:

Especially if that p.llock who used to use White's Crossing and always left the gates open is still around.  He always used to deny it and we never caught him red-handed but we made darned sure he knew exactly what might happen to him if he happened to meet a couple of thousand tonnes of stone train on the. crossing.

Haha no way! Didnt know about that. He would resemble a pancake afterwards!

[Claude_Dreyfus]

59001 passes Wandsworth Road - 25th October 2012 

[RusselBridge2017]

Part of my daily government approved exercise saw this light engine move at 8am today Merehead to Leeds, guess we will loose this livery.....

[Steadfast]

A few recent 59s from me.

Handsome Hansons by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

A pair of Hanson 59/1s line up in Westbury Down Yard in the company of GB's 59003.59102 is atop 7Z51 for Southampton and 59103 is on 7O12 for Woking. These have been sat in Westbury since Friday night and in the next couple of hours both would be on their way with the Monday morning drops.

 

Tucked up for the weekend by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59205 stabled at Westbury with 7O12 Westbury - Woking. This traffic trips up from Merehead on a Friday night and stables waiting for Monday morning's 06.05 departure.

 

Jumbo manoeuvres in the dark by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59206 'John F Yeoman Rail Pioneer' sits on the Down Reception at Westbury at the head of 7O35 for Fareham. 
59206 arrived in Westbury earlier in the night on 7F51, with 66418 and the Oxford and Fareham traffic in tow, 39 boxes in all. 59206 was run round, leaving this loco and its traffic at the south end of the reception, with the 66 and 6A17 split off from the Fareham and ready to depart to the north. Ordinarily the Oxford traffic would be on the Up side, but an overnight possession meant this was not possible and both portions from F51 would have to stay on the Down side.

 

A red 59...for how much longer? by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

With 206 at Toton for a coat of paint, the red 59/2s days must surely be numbered. The commemorative bell on Freightliner's 59201 gleams in the sun as it sits in Westbury after running round 7V16 Fareham to Whatley. Due to the lack of passenger trains at present with the Coronavirus situation, 59203 on the Southampton empties was running early and far behind. A quick phone call to Freightliner, both portions were joined up and sent in as 7V62.

 

Jo

[slg]

On 07/04/2020 at 09:41, RusselBridge2017 said:

Part of my daily government approved exercise saw this light engine move at 8am today Merehead to Leeds, guess we will loose this livery.....

 

No it went back light engine a few days later, I caught it on railcam at Chesterfield 

[Owd Bob]

A few of my latest and last finds.

[SWT442]

Been having a catch-up on this thread, some lovely shots of the class. Especially liking the older stuff!

 

Got a few bits to add, so first up are some 59/0's. I'll do 003 in a separate post.

 

59001 "Yeoman Endeavour" is seen at Bedwyn with 6L21 Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock - 19.09.18

 

59001 is seen again, this time at Eastleigh with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 02.12.14

 

59001 ambles through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 03.03.14

 

59004 "Paul A Hammond" rolls through Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 05.02.13

 

59004 is seen again working 7V16, this time at Kimbridge - 27.05.14

 

59005 "Kenneth J Painter" rolls through Denchworth before the wires went up with 7C54 Appleford Sidings to Whatley Quarry - 06.03.14

 

In low Winter light, 59005 rushes through Kimbridge with 6V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 05.01.17

 

Stabled besides Westbury station, 59005 is at the head of 7A71 Whatley Quarry to Acton TC - 17.01.15

 

Andy.

[SWT442]

Now for some shots of 59003 "Yeoman Highlander", which was bought back into the country by GBRf at the back end of 2014. The loco seems to spend most of its time working the daily departmental trips between Westbury & Eastleigh.

 

Back on UK soil and seen at journeys end, the loco is seen behind 20311 & 20314 at Eastleigh. The working was 0Z59 Immingham Mineral Quay to Eastleigh Works - 13.10.14

 

Caught from the multistorey car park opposite the station, 59003 is seen the next day in Eastleigh Works - 14.10.14

 

Easing out the yard, the loco is seen working 6V41 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC at Eastleigh - 09.07.19

 

With a meager load of 3 wagons, it's seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V41 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC - 24.06.19

 

With an RDT set in tow, it passes through Crampmoor with 6V40 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC via Chandlers Ford - 23.07.19

 

Bringing it up to date, 59003 is fresh from a partial repaint to remove the Europorte cab end roundels. With the fresh application of Orange quite vibrant, it heads through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V40 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC via Chandlers Ford. Off note is that the cab front number and GB Railfreight text positions have been changed compared to the previous pictures - 03.07.20

 

Andy.

[SWT442]

Now for some shots of the 59/1's. Didn't catch them in ARC colours as I was too young, but I do remember seeing them (just!). I think the Hanson livery suits them quite well.

 

59101 "Village of Whatley" sits in Avonmouth Bennets Sidings as it awaits to work 6C63 to Westbury - 17.01.15

 

59101 clatters through Dean with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 12.11.13

 

59102 "Village of Chantry" approaches Dean with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 14.08.13

 

Putting on a burst of power, 59102 is seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 25.08.16

59103 "Village of Mells" runs beside the Kennet & Avon at Bedwyn with 7C77 Acton TC to Merehead Quarry - 19.09.18

 

59103 is seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 13.08.19

 

Heading away from the camera at Worting Junction, 59103 is seen with 6O12 Merehead Quarry to Woking Yard - 24.02.15

 

Seen at St. Mary Bourne, 59103 heads home as it works 6V12 Woking Yard to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15

 

59104 "Village of Great Elm" hustles through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 26.02.19

 

Andy.

Edited July 12, 2020 by SWT442

[SWT442]

Now for the first half of the 59/2's.

 

59201 is seen at Beaulieu Road with the 6V52 Hamworthy Quay to Whatley Quarry. The working was the first one after a 5 year gap, but proved to be short lived. The working could sometimes see a Class 60 used - 25.01.17

 

59201 heads through Hungerford Common with 6C76 Acton TC to Whatley Quarry - 19.09.18

 

Heading past the lock gates at Crofton, 59201 is seen with 7C77 Acton TC to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15

 

With its bell leading, 59201 passes through Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 12.11.13

 

A location where the vegetation has grown is Lee, where 59201 is seen working 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry. Since being taken over by Freightliner, this working now runs via Botley and the Chandlers Ford branch - 16.08.13

 

Proving to be my only shot of this loco, 59202 "Alan Meadows Taylor" heads through Eastleigh with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 03.02.15

 

59203 passes Crofton with 4C31 Theale Foster Yeoman to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15

 

Seen again a few years later, 59203 works the same train through Hungerford Common - 19.09.18

 

With a rake of 8 ex-scrap metal bogie boxes in tow, 59203 heads through Kimbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 27.05.14

 

Leaving a trail of stone dust in its wake, 59203 passes Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V52 Hamworthy Quay to Whatley Quarry - 05.02.18

 

Heading through Radley, 59203 works 7C54 Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry - 30.04.13

 

The other half will have to be uploaded another time, seems I've hit my limit.

Andy.

Edited July 12, 2020 by SWT442

[Steadfast]

Nice pics Andy, some classic locations in there!

A handful of recent ones from me. Click the pics to go to the Flickr and see some more!

59206 7O43 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Recently repainted at Toton, Freightliner's 59206 'John F Yeoman - Rail Pioneer' sits at Westbury after arriving with 7C59 from Merehead. Having run round, it is waiting to depart with a new headcode of 7O43 for Eastleigh.

59204 6O12, 59002 7O35 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

As night sets in on Saturday evening, Freightliner's 59204 and 59002 sit side by side in Westbury yard waiting for Monday morning atop 6O12 for Woking and 7O35 for Fareham respectively.

59205 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

First day of June and it's baking hot! Sat in the headshunt at Westbury during its run round on 6V12 Woking - Merehead, 59205 is still carrying it's debranded DB red colour scheme. Some of the 59s now have the white DB Schenker branding starting to show through the red patch painting on the sides. 66024 was on the blocks of the headshunt outside the driver's cabin, waiting it's next move whilst on yard pilot.

59103 6O12 59002 7O35 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59103 and 59002 sit under dark clouds after a heavy downpour, the wetness helping the colours to really pop as the sun comes through just enough to brighten the scene. On Monday, 103 will take 6O12 to Woking, whilst 002 will work 7O35 to Fareham.

59003 66006 6O41 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59003 'Yeoman Highlander' sits stabled in Westbury Yard on top of the next day's 6O41 for Eastleigh. The load was 66006 dead in tow for an engineer's train from Eastleigh and 10 empty Osprey track panel carriers.

59201 7V12 / 7Z12 Westbury by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Due to a derailment at Merehead, lots of services were held back at Acton and terminals in the London area. 7V12 from Woking got as far as Westbury before recessing here. It's initial schedule cancelled, it went forward after dark as 7Z12 to Merehead.

 

Jo

[SWT442]

Lovely set of pictures Jo. I've yet to catch any of the Orange Freightliner locos, though would like to bag 59205.

 

Here's the second half of the DB Class 59/2's.

 

59204 rattles past Crofton with 6M20 Whatley Quarry to St Pancras Churchyard Sidings - 24.02.15

 

The loco is seen again, this time at Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 13.08.13

 

In a lovely patch of Springtime Sun, 204 wheels 6O12 Merehead Quarry to Woking Yard through Worting Jn - 04.03.15

 

Looking nearly box fresh, 59205 rolls towards Eastleigh with 0Y69 Westbury Yard to Eastleigh Yard - 30.06.12

 

Seen again, the loco is this time in use shunting wagons in Eastleigh Yard - 03.01.17

 

With the Sun just clinging on, the loco heads through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7O40 Merehead Quarry to Eastleigh Aggregates Sidings - 24.02.17

 

In good Winter light, 205 works 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry through Mottisfont & Dunbridge - 04.01.18

 

Running besides the Kennet & Avon, 59206 "John F Yeoman" works 6V18 Allington ARC to Whatley Quarry - 19.09.18

 

Easing towards Clapham Junction, 206 works 7O68 Acton TC to Purley Foster Yeoman - 14.09.15

 

With the pumping station behind, 206 leans through the bend at Crofton with 7A17 Merehead Quarry to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman - 24.02.15

 

Heading away from St Denys, 206 works 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 27.02.15

 

Andy.

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon all.   In the later 90's I was a police officer based at Pontefract and for various professional and personal reasons got to know the staff at the National Power bas at Ferrybridge very well.   I'm currently scanning my old slides and negatives and am getting to the point where there are a lot of Class 59/2 photos.  Most of these are being posted in date order on my random Railway Pictures thread but I thought I would share a few on here.

The first of 59 204 was taken in the early hours of the morning at the Ferrybridge depot.

The next one is I think at Sudforth Lane crossing whilst waiting for a cab ride on a Gas Wood to Drax round trip working.

 

Then one in the yard at Gas Wood.

A round trip every 4 hours to Drax from Gas Wood with just under an hour actually on the road.

 

Jamie

[Steadfast]

A few more 59s to add to the thread, some of the locations may look familiar from @SWT442's pictures! I won't apologise, as the B&H is a scenic line...

A classic from 2015 to start, then we'll be coming up to date, photos in chronological order.

59202 6A63 43146 Bristol East by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

43146 in its Building a Greater West livery passes 59202 'Alan Meddows Taylor' sat in Bristol East Loop atop 6A63 Avonmouth - Westbury. The Mendip Rail service would follow this HST as far as Bathampton Junction. The traffic would go to London as 6A20 on Sunday night from Westbury.

Mendip Weekender by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

66603 sits atop Monday's 7O35 for Fareham (ex 7F51 Friday) and 59002 and 66522 are on 7O12 for Woking (ex 7C61 Friday) in Westbury Down Yard. 59002 would go light engine into Whatley on Sunday evening as 0F59.

The rain is blowing in... by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

The first orange 59, 59206 'John F Yeoman' rounds the curve at Crofton at the head of 7A17 Merehead - Colnbrook. The misty background and soaking wet wagons give a hint to the downpour that was seconds away from soaking us! A second 59, 59203, has just gone to Toton for a coat of orange and black.

59101 6C77 Crofton by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Only a single portion today and a class 6 set at that, 59101 'Village of Whatley' approaches Crofton working 6C77 Acton - Merehead, which usually runs as 7C77. Of course no visit to this neck of the woods is complete without a visit to Bedwyn for some lardy cake!

59002 0F59 Bedwyn by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

165108 waits in the turnback siding at Bedwyn as 59002 'Alan J Day' heads west light engine running as 0F59 Allington - Whatley in what would usually be the 6V18 path. The wagons were left at the depot, hence this unexpected light loco move.

59103 6L21 Hungerford by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59103 leads 42 wagons weighing around 4.200 tonnes on 6L21 Whatley - Dagenham, seen curving away from the Hungerford station and onto Hungerford Common.

59201 6C76 Hungerford by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Emerging from a heavy shower, 59201 passes Hungerford Common at the head of 6C76 Acton - Whatley, conveying empties from Dagenham.
Morning Marshalling by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59003 'Yeoman Highlander' sits with the front half of 7O41 for Eastleigh yard. The rear portion was the Ospreys just visible behind the loco. On the odd summer day we get in Britain, it pays to get as much shunting done as you can before it gets too hot!

Foxtrot Five One with a  Fifty Nine by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59002 'Alan J Day' sits on the Down Reception at Westbury after working 7F51 from Whatley. It worked up in multi with 66544 conveying traffic for Avonmouth (6C67, for Hinkley Point construction) and Southampton. Due to a T3 block on the Up side of Westbury by the P Way guys, the only place this double portion would fit was the Down Reception. On arrival, the locos were split, then the two portions split, brake test the Avonmouth then run 59002 round the train via the station. Finally join up and brake test the Southampton portion, then 59002 was ready as 6O53, the 05.31 departure for Southampton Up Yard. All in all about 45 minutes work. Must simpler than what normally happens, with a portion left on the Up side and transfer the other to the Down Yard via the main line. For the record, that's 70807 lurking in the background, stuck on the Down side due to the block on the Up side stopping it getting back to the fuel point after working 6V46, the return of the regularly photographed 6M50.

 

Jo

 

 

[The Border Reiver]

Do you know if you can take photos at Westbury station at the moment without having a ticket?

[rob D2]

Does 59003 ever get further than Eastleigh? Seems a real waste of a massively powerful loco 

[disco1974]

10 hours ago, The Border Reiver said:

Do you know if you can take photos at Westbury station at the moment without having a ticket?

Yes you can. I spent a day there just before August Bank Holiday.

[Steadfast]

2 hours ago, rob D2 said:

Does 59003 ever get further than Eastleigh? Seems a real waste of a massively powerful loco 

The issue if you send it somewhere where it can use the extra power is what happens if it's out for maintenance? Shorter train with a 66 on the front is the answer! Also depending on the area you might have a massive group of drivers needing to sign one loco. GB's Westbury depot has a small group of drivers, plus a few Eastleigh, Bristol and Didcot drivers cover as needed, so competency isn't an issue.

Depending who you ask, most drivers (though a few say it's fine) reckon it's down on power compared to the other 59s, which if right makes sense keeping it on loads within the capability of a 66. Also, it has its maintenance and exams at Eastleigh works.

 

Jo

[rob D2]

Makes sense I guess. It’s the fragmented nature of the railways now - so you’ve got GB and colas doing a touch of work there, FL now got the bulk of it, and DB ? Do they just do the shunter and everyone else is TUPED to FL ?