Class 59 Profile and Models

Class 59

59005 at Old Oak Common Depot in August 2000. ©kitmasterbloke

The Class 59s are a fleet of diesel locomotives produced by EMD for three different private freight operators in the UK. They were the first privately owned diesel locomotives to operate regularly on the British mainline and also the first locos built for it in the United States. One member of the class temporarily worked in Germany too, but has since returned to the UK. Designed for reliability and 95% availability, the Class 59 has achieved a 99.8% level during ten years evaluated from the first four locomotives. On 26 May 1991, 59005 set the European haulage record for a single locomotive, with a stone train weighing 11,982 tonnes and 5,415 feet (1,650 m) long. Despite being superceded by the similar looking but more advanced and powerful Class 66, the Class 59s still have a place on various heavy freight workings throughout the UK.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Diesel-Electric

Builder

General Motors Electro Motive Division

Build Dates

1985 to 1995

Total Built

15

Tractive Effort

122,000 lbf

Power Output

3,300 bhp

Top Speed

60 mph (59/0 & 59/1)
75 mph (59/2)

Wheel Configuration

Co-Co

Operated By

ARC
DB Cargo
EWS
GB Railfreight
Foster Yeoman
Freightliner
Mendip Rail
National Power

Main Duties

Heavy Freight

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

15

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
N Gauge CJM 59002 Class 59 59002 in Foster Yeoman silver RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set 59002
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Class 59 59002 in Foster Yeoman silver Foster Yeoman
N Gauge CJM No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set 59104
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Class 59 59104 "Village of Great Elm" in ARC livery ARC - Amey Roadstone
N Gauge CJM No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set 59206
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Class 59 59206 'Pride of Ferrybridge' in National Power livery Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge CJM CJM-59101 Class 59 59101 in ARC Yellow/Grey RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set CJM-59101
View
Class 59 59101 in ARC Yellow/Grey Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge CJM No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set CJM-59103
View
Class 59 59103 "Village of Wells" in Hanson Livery Awaiting Categorisation