The class 59s

[adb968008]

On 11/11/2022 at 15:45, Steadfast said:

I was in the right place at the right time yesterday.

The final pair of Freightliner class 59/2s to still carry DB red sit at Acton while crew changes take place. 59205 is closest, working 6C76 Wembley - Whatley whilst 59201 has just arrived from Whatley with 6M20 to St Pancras. The rust patches on 205 have recently been painted over in red and grey, so perhaps there's a while yet before it goes orange?

 

Jo

Theres a lot of rot on the cab roof, and by the side handrails…

 

but is that gaffa tape holding it together along the bar above the bogie step handrails ?

Didnt realise 59201 had a bell on it. (i knew about 001 and 66779).

Edited November 30, 2022 by adb968008

[Steadfast]

13 minutes ago, adb968008 said:

but is that gaffa tape holding it together along the bar above the bogie step handrails ?

It's black or dark grey paint.

 

Apparently the 59/2s were some of the first GMs to feature water based paint and primer, so may explain the excessive surface rust on the sub class.

 

Jo

[Peter Kazmierczak]

59103 at a snowy Westbury this evening. Note the illuminated Christmas tree in the windscreen, adding a festive touch.

[4630]

On 2nd January 2023, following its spin on the wheel lathe at Leeds Midland Road, Freightliner 59202 'Pride of Ferrybridge' making its way back south via Crewe to more familiar duties, passing through Deighton with a trailing load of four Freightliner Class 66s for company.

0M59, Leeds Balm Road to Crewe Basford Hall.

 

Edited January 2, 2023 by 4630

[Claude_Dreyfus]

59004 passing Eastleigh with a southbound stone train. Don't know the exact date, but likely November 2008.

[jbqfc]

59103 named Village of Mells  seen on the 11.17 Allington to Whatley light engine move passing Hither green at 12.35 running to time 

 

 

[Peter Kazmierczak]

All was quiet down at Whatley quarry this afternoon...

[Peter Kazmierczak]

Not sure whether this goes here or in the 66 thread...  Westbury; 19th Feb.

[GWRPhil]

5 hours ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

Not sure whether this goes here or in the 66 thread...  Westbury; 19th Feb.

The 59 is closest to the camera. Plus I like the way you can see the colas writing through the grill of the 59. Really cleverly taken shot

[Peter Kazmierczak]

Thanks Phil.

The "Colas through the grill" was a lucky shot as the 66/8 was moving past at the time.

[GWRPhil]

9 hours ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

Thanks Phil.

The "Colas through the grill" was a lucky shot as the 66/8 was moving past at the time.

That was really a right time right place shot. That’s even more impressive. 

[class37418stag]

Hey everyone 

 

hire class 59 ARC for Iron ore train from port talbot to llanrew in 1997 and I has seen photos of class 59 ARC hauled iron ore wagon from Flickr 

[Ray M]

59002 Having a few days off, In Yorkshire

8-4-23

[franciswilliamwebb]

 

59102 "Village of Chantry" at Westbury on 05/05/00 (my photo)

[franciswilliamwebb]

 

59104 "Village of Great Elm" & 59102 "Village of Chantry" at Westbury on 05/05/00 (my photo)

[franciswilliamwebb]

 

59002 "Alan J Day" at Fairwood Junction, Westbury, on 26/07/02 (my photo)

[ruggedpeak]

Some archive photos of 59004 passing through Reading westbound.

 

Looks like 2 up in the front cab and there is a uniformed BR crew in the rear cab who appears to be in converation with someone leaning on the desk. No idea of the date other than early 80's probably and the 59's relatively new in service. Some form of test run?

 

Also added some pics of other aggregates flows through Reading at the same time with a 47 or 56 in case of they are of use.

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by ruggedpeak
add comment on crew

[franciswilliamwebb]

 

59002 "Alan J Day" at Fairwood Junction on 26/07/02 (my photo)

[Steadfast]

1 hour ago, franciswilliamwebb said:

 

59002 "Alan J Day" at Fairwood Junction on 26/07/02 (my photo)

Nice livery, shame it didn't last longer.

Nicknamed the ganja (is that how you spell it?) machine by some drivers.

 

Jo

[jbqfc]

Reading 05/06/2023

59103

 

59104

 

59201

 

59203

 

 

 

[The Border Reiver]

There was an engine driver who lived in my village; Mr Ken Butt formerly a steam engine driver who had driven the Royal Train on various occasions. He ended his driving days at Westbury depot driving diesels. He was chosen to drive the very first Class 59 test train in the UK on Sunday the 9th of February 1986. He wrote a poem recording his experience that day which is shown below.

 

Ken was a bit of an eccentric character and was frequently seen riding around the village on a unicycle and doing hand stands on the social club's tables. While driving trains he ofter donned a gorilla mask amongst others. One one ocasion he put on some dark glasses and with a white stick wandered down the station platform asking passengers for directions to the front of the train as he was the driver :)

 

I enjoyed many hours chatting to him about his railway experiences up until he died on 27 January 2017.

 

 

Kenneth Butt 1928 - 2017

 

***********************
Here is the poem...

The SS of SS or The Sad Saga of Super Series 59002 Yeoman Enterprise

by Mr Kenneth Butt (Driver of the first Class 59 test train in the UK Sunday the 9th of February 1986)

 

The day was Sunday the 9th of Feb
For 59002 to make its deb
two fifty-six class in the lead
In case their assistance we did need

 

They did not have to use their power
Only if mission did turn sour
At Woodborough they would detach
To see if 59002 was up to scratch

 

The plan was then to stop and start
To find if super series had the heart
To put paste and graphite upon the line
If 59002 got away it would be fine

 

59002 has this super creep
I can't explain it goes to deep
In short to rail it should adhere
Bruce said it will I have no fear

 

The railway buffs were out in force
They'd heard of mission on the grapevine of course
They came from near they came from far
By train, pushbike and bus and car

 

They left Westbury at twenty to one
All the planning had been done
The cab was full with the top brass
Just room for driver to sit on ass

 

By Panel Box we are in notch eight
Bob Alloway said we cannot be late
The load was nearly five thousand ton
Bruce said this diesel likes the gun

 

The cement works chimney soon out of sight
It was snowing only very light
We soon passed old Edington Station
This diesel from another nation

 

At Lavington speed was thirty-nine
We now approached the Clock Bridge incline
Bruce and Brass were taking readings
From wheel creep came loud noise and squealings

 

Then speed of train got very slow
If we stop now oh what a blow
But Clock Bridge we did negotiate
Westbury panel thinks by heck they are late

 

We then had General Fault light red
The engine still running it should be said
59002 had lost its power
Was this mission turning sour?

 

Bruce said traction motors I guess
He isolates without success
Has anybody got a spanner
Steve Hansard replied I've got a hammer

 

Mr Barratt came to the rescue
As chief inspecters always do
The chief he got his spanner out
To take off panel I have no doubt

 

Notice on traction current supply cover it did read
I think that we were all agreed
Whilst engine runs 'DO NOT REMOVE'
But Bruce has something else to prove

 

And then although against the rule
He did proceed to use this tool
The bolts in cover did Bruce undo
OK for Bruce but not me or you

 

But nothing did he find amiss
It can't be that or neither this
So cover was put back into place
Bolts tightened up in the small space

 

Then man from Derby has a plan
Isolate again if you can
Oil on traction motor five he had seen
Not white or black but nearly green

 

Fifty-six class detached and went ahead
These seats are soft just like my bed
Dave Bowen our guard got in between
In the back cab David had been

 

We went ahead but oh so slow
Only in notch one would engine go
First we isolate traction motor five
To see if 59002 became alive

 

But sad to say we had no joy
My mate was Mrs Mantells boy
We isolate remainder one by one
But could not right the damage done

 

Bruce said this mission we should abort
Things have not gone just like they ought
Poor Richard Painter could have cried
The day that 59002 clapped out and died

 

The brass put on their yellow vests
Twas finish to the loading tests
The phones they were red hot
We are stranded at this lonely spot

 

Then Dennis Flood on radio
Did contact Pete Warren to make a show
Pete our new inspector was on this job
He'd got another Sunday in just like Bob

 

Dennis said have you got the brake up yet
Pete replied ninety seconds don't forget
One has been modified but one has not
Just drink your coffee whilst it's hot

 

Two fifty-six class came back again
To couple to us and us to train
Dave our guard went back to end wagon
When he got there his legs were flagging

 

He had to carry out the brake test
When Dave got back with heaving chest
These cigarettes make me blow and cough
He said I wish we'd soon move off

 

Reg Wilson on leading fifty-six
Said I'll get you out of this b***** fix
Rodney Selman was his mate
On electricity he could certainly debate

 

Reg towed us to Savernake
Where Ivor Mason gave us a snack
We then disposed of train at Theale
No I'm not dreaming this is real

 

Them we were propelled to Merehead light
By jove this headlights very bright
Back to Merehead we made our way
Unhappy end to our Sunday

 

And now 59002 is back in its Merehead stable
Due to a defective cable
But who is left to carry the can
Was it male or a poor woman?

 

To Woodborough Tom and Dave set out by car
But they did not get that far
Twixt Pottern and Urchfont so I'm told
Their Senator skidded and came off the road

 

But glad to say they were not hurt
Only had skid marks on their shirt
Car did end up in the scrap yard
Tom and Dave's day was also marred

 

The eccentric Butt in his spare time
Thought he'd write this little rhyme
Call it a saga poem or verse
Here are his views for what they're worth

 

Two thousand tons they will be fine
They'll be no trouble on the line
But if they put on many more
Not one hour overtime more like four

 

Just right for K Wakefield and J I Jones
They'll make a fortune hauling stones
But as for me unless I'm fired
In a few years time I will be 'RETIRED'

 

This saga should have ended here
But there is more to come I fear
They say these 'BEARS' are to be named
I think I'll have this saga framed

 

If it is true which I have heard
Or perhaps you think it's too absurd
In spite of 59002 ignominious demise
They are calling it 'YEOMAN ENTERPRISE'

 

With apologies to Sir John Betjaman the Railway Poet

 

 

Here we have 59002 (working) at Westbury on 22 July 1991

 

[Mike_Walker]

A couple of pictures from that infamous day, 9 February 1986.

 

59002 having been declared a failure at Woodborough.  Mutterings of "we told you so" and "what are we going to do now..."

 

56055 and 56031 to the rescue and dragging 59002 away from Savernake.

 

I later got to know someone very senior in EMD who admitted it was not their finest hour and actually a huge embarrassment.  I was told it was a simple wiring error made worse by the same arrangement having been used in every EMD product for the preceding 20 or more years.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Mike_Walker

[Peter Kazmierczak]

59005 at the north end of Wembley Yard last week, after arriving on 7M47 0948 ex Harlow Mill. It'll return home on 7V64 1448 to Merehead.

[big jim]

59 passing Swindon while I was on a ballast sit on, 5 minutes previous it was glorious sunshine!

[Peter Kazmierczak]

A pair of 59/1s rest at their depot at Whatley Quarry this afternoon.