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The class 59s


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Why did a couple of 59s transfer to operating the Llanwern iron ore trains in July 1998?  Does anyone have a complete list?  So far I can only find evidence of 59004, 59103 & 59104 on the Llanwern trains.

 

There were some comparison trials between 59's and 60's on the ore trains. It may have been related to those.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lickeybanker/12307274966/

 

Cheers,

Mick

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There were some comparison trials between 59's and 60's on the ore trains. It may have been related to those.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lickeybanker/12307274966/

 

Cheers,

Mick

Should the date be 1997...? I had a rare chance of a 2 day visit to South Wales in July of that year. Unfortunately I cant help Penrhos further because guess which two 59s turned up...

 

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59103 at Bridgend and Cardiff.

 

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59004 Cardiff.

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Ah but DJ Models have just announced a 59: 59002 ‘Yeoman Enterprise’ in Foster Yeoman Livery,  59103 ‘Village of Mells’ in ARC Mustard and Grey livery, 59204 ‘Vale of Glamorgan’  National Power Livery, 50206 ‘John F. Yeoman’ DBSchenker Livery.

 

Why did a couple of 59s transfer to operating the Llanwern iron ore trains in July 1998?  Does anyone have a complete list?  So far I can only find evidence of 59004, 59103 & 59104 on the Llanwern trains.

Right horse wrong jockey.

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These are pictures I took of 59104 on-shed at Motherwell on Sunday 28th July 1991 after a tip off from a friend.  The loco was on a trial to assess haulage capacity over Beattock.  As far as I know there are only two other shots of this loco during this trip, both taken on the test runs, which make these the first photos of a class 59 in Scotland.  There have been two or three other visits by class 59s, 59201 and 59206 both in 1998.

 

Hope these are of interest.

 

Jim

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From my memory of being involved in putting HTA's & 60's then 59's on the LBT/Fiddlers trains, 66's would lift 19 HTA's out of LBT, but were downloaded in the wet where as a 59 or 60 would happily lift 23, possibly more but constrained by the RR loop at LBT. The difference in loadings subsequently became apparent on running LBT to Ratcliffe services, when these were increased to 23 HTA's, a 59 couldn't get up Caverswell bank, but a 60 would.

We can, and have, run a 66/5 out of LBT on 21 HHA when there has been on other option, only in the middle of summer on a dry rail though. 66/6 will lift it out in any weather going

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59003 is now back in this country under the ownership of GBRF so we will soon see another livery on a 59.

 I remember watching all the 59/2s working around Ferrybridge and Gas.wood when they were new, I do think they looked good in National Power colours.

 On a slightly off track thread I was at the Model Rail Exhibition at Milton Keynes (1992 possibly) with GCS Quarries layout (later renamed R&M Quarries under new ownership). We were using Mainline/Dapol class 56s on the stone train models when we were approached to see if we would like to inspect the first Lima model of a class 59 (at that time it was the pre production prototype which was under revue by the importers who thought we would be interested as we had a quarry layout) after guite a while having a good look at it, it was handed back. Also at that show was another exhibitor with a demonstration stand with scratch built 59s on, at that time 59201 had just arrived in the country, we managed to borrow models of all 10 59s (at that existed at that time) to do an open day at the quarry a picture appeared in the magazine after the show.

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59003 is now back in this country under the ownership of GBRF so we will soon see another livery on a 59.

 I remember watching all the 59/2s working around Ferrybridge and Gas.wood when they were new, I do think they looked good in National Power colours.

 On a slightly off track thread I was at the Model Rail Exhibition at Milton Keynes (1992 possibly) with GCS Quarries layout (later renamed R&M Quarries under new ownership). We were using Mainline/Dapol class 56s on the stone train models when we were approached to see if we would like to inspect the first Lima model of a class 59 (at that time it was the pre production prototype which was under revue by the importers who thought we would be interested as we had a quarry layout) after guite a while having a good look at it, it was handed back. Also at that show was another exhibitor with a demonstration stand with scratch built 59s on, at that time 59201 had just arrived in the country, we managed to borrow models of all 10 59s (at that existed at that time) to do an open day at the quarry a picture appeared in the magazine after the show.

As a matter of interest National Power had a lovely 0 gauge model of a 59/2 plus a couple of model wagons that were displyed at their offices. IIRC they were built by Chris Leigh.  I arranged to borrow them one year and we ran them on Long Preston at Wakefield.  I'll have to dig out the photos one day.

 

Jamie

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Resurrecting this thread, here is 59003 on 11th September 2016 approaching Mirfield working 1Z16, 13:50 Liverpool Lime Street to Doncaster leg of the final day of the GBRf 15 four day rail tour.

attachicon.gif59003 1Z16 Mirfield 11092016 RMWeb.jpg

 

Various bits of that loco just look a bit bent / misshaped. Or could just be the plates and logos that make it look that way

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A few recent class 59s

49219668597_3193c7c7c5_b.jpgCold War Competitors by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Both designs dating from the tail end of the Cold War and capable of shifting the heaviest trains in the UK, 59002 'Alan J Day' and 60039 'Dove Holes' sit alongside one another in Westbury Up Yard. The two locos are wildly different designs, the 59s proving rugged, reliable and a simple machine, though a little agricultural and noisy at times. Class 60s would also move the earth, though their 1980s electronics could leave them susceptible to having a funny five minutes and various issues on introduction but they are an altogether far more refined design, quiet with a smooth ride and solid doors that close first time!

49218962753_d1a74d8907_b.jpgNetwork SouthMendip by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59101 'Village of Whatley' is seen in the headshunt of Westbury Down Yard complete with Network SouthEast sticker on its number one end. Taken two weeks after Freightliner took over the Mendip work, judging by the time of day I think this had come from either Southampton or Exeter and was running round to head back to Whatley

49219442536_dbbd935d49_b.jpg6 Class 59s for sale, 2 careful owners... by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

The loss of the Mendip contract saw DB put the six class 59/2s up for sale. Here they are on siding number 12 Down at Westbury, positioned for viewing by potential new owners. The locos arrived in three pairs, 59206 and 59202 at the far end, then 59203 and 59204 with 59201 and 59205 the last to be parked up, with 205 closest to the camera. In the event, Freightliner purchased all six locos and at the time of writing (Dec 2019) all are still running round in DB red but with the branding roughly painted out.

 

Jo

 

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A bit more GM super power from me. First though, a brief history lesson.

49229121651_c2b70721d9_b.jpgThe one that started it all by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

The first General Motors locomotive to operate on the UK mainland, SW1001, Merehead Quarry's 44 'Western Yeoman II'. Bought to shunt the heavy stone trains loaded at the quarry, the capability, reliability and robust build of this machine led Foster Yeoman to order a fleet of 4 class 59s to replace the unreliable class 56s that BR were providing. 59001 - 004 arrived in 1986, with a fifth 59 following in 1989. In the 1990s, ARC ordered four and National Power had 6. Privatisation happened, EWS ordered 250 class 66s and the GM revolution was well and truly here!

49228659918_9ccf41584a_b.jpgDouble trouble by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

44 'Western Yeoman II' towers over 59202 in a move that many people probably don't realise happens. Due to the gradient on the yard, trains that are too heavy for a single 59 are banked out using the Switcher. This is 7A09, the 07.12 to Acton pushing out of Merehead. It is quite a sight to watch 4,500 tons pushing past you at 10 mph!

49228216162_3cb37fbfa4_b.jpgInside at Whatley by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

59005 sits inside the shed having been checked over and had its fuel and sand topped up, ready for its next load of Somerset stone. SW1001 switcher 120 'Kenneth John Witcombe' sits alongside receiving attention.

49228664308_76636d02a8_b.jpgThe last one by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Why the last one? Well, it was the last train of my final shift at Merehead, before promotion took me back across the border to Wiltshire. The train is all ready to go and I'm about to give the driver of 59205 the paperwork for 7B12 to Wootton Bassett before asking out from Merehead for the very last time. Onwards and upwards!

49229609638_822b79516b_b.jpgA shadow of its former self by Steadfast Fotography, on Flickr

Freightliner's 59206 'John F Yeoman' looks rather tired in its rust spotted and de-branded 10 year old coat of DB red. It is seen at the head of 6A17 Westbury to Oxford Banbury Road and presumably a coat of orange and black can't be far off. The patching out of the DB branding on this loco isn't too bad, but some of the other 59/2s look quite sad with the logos fully visible through the thin paint.

 

Jo

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