British Rail Class 59
The Class 59 Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives were built and introduced between 1985 and 1995 by Electro-Motive Diesel for operation in Great Britain.
Overview
With Foster Yeoman dissatisfied with the availability and reliability of British Rail's Class 56 diesel freight locomotive, and their satisfaction with their EMD SW1001 shunter, four Class 59/0s were ordered from Electro-Motive Diesel in 1984, arriving at Southampton on 21 January 1986. A new design to the British loading gauge and specifications, derived from the EMD SD40-2, it used the cab layout of the British Rail Class 58 to aid driver assimilation.They were the first United States built and the first privately owned diesel locomotives to operate regularly on the British main line, although EMD powered locomotives have been the mainstay in both the Republic of Ireland since 1961 and Northern Ireland since 1980.
Following Foster Yeoman's example, Amey Roadstone Construction ordered four Class 59/1 and National Power six Class 59/2s. Foster Yeoman and Amey merged their rail concerns into Mendip Rail, and the rail interests of National Power were taken over by EWS.
Ultimately EMD's diligence and flexibility in designing and constructing such a small order paid off in opening the way for the later, much larger, Class 66 order. This design uses the same body shell but is internally different.
Mendip Rail
To better manage their fleet availability and scale needs, Hanson ARC and Foster Yeoman founded Mendip Rail. The assets are still owned by both parent companies and the staff are seconded. Subsequently, Mendip Rail has obtained train operating company status. Mendip Rail's Class 59s work services between various destinations, which have changed over time according to demand and specific contracts. They have worked regularly in the Southern Region, most notably to the Foster Yeoman terminals at Eastleigh and Botley, as well as on Channel Tunnel construction work.Class 59 versions
Class 59/0 - Foster Yeoman
As a result of poor reliability and low availability of the various locomotives used by British Rail to haul stone trains from the West Country, Foster Yeoman negotiated with British Rail to improve service. Foster Yeoman had already supplied their own wagons with a reliability level of 96% and proposed they operate their own locomotives. British Rail's problem was the hard tie-in and control of the rail unions, but accepted the proposal in principle.Foster Yeoman invited tenders for the supply of six locomotives from a manufacturer with a proven availability record of 95%. It is untrue that British Rail refused to tender, but withdrew having conceded that they had nothing which was of the required combination of power and reliability. Foster Yeoman had already operated an EMD SW1001 shunter in the Merehead Quarry with good results, so approached General Motors, who were able to demonstrate the required long-term 95% availability. Derived from the EMD SD40-2, the cab layout was based on the Class 58 for easier driver assimilation. To meet the British loading gauge, an estimated 40,000 to 80,000-man-hours of design work was carried out by EMD. Some compromises were required; the large exhaust silencer required to meet BR noise levels left no room for Dynamic Braking equipment. However, it was possible to retain the all-important Super Series wheel creep control which, because of its superior traction, can eliminate the need for double heading. Foster Yeoman therefore reduced their original requirement from six to four locomotives, ordering four in November 1984, and a fifth in 1988. All five locomotives were custom built by General Motors Diesel Division at its La Grange, Illinois plant.
In their first ten years of operation, the five locomotives between them hauled over 50 million tonnes of aggregates away from Merehead.
Class 59/1 - Amey Roadstone Construction
Built by General Motors Diesel Division at their Canadian plant in London, Ontario in 1990. The four Class 59/1 locomotives owned by Hanson are similar to the Class 59/0 locomotives of Foster Yeoman, the main differences being a revised head light and marker light layout and the fitting of yaw dampers to permit the maximum speed to be increased to.Class 59/2 - National Power/DB Cargo UK/Freightliner
Following Foster Yeoman, National Power decided to investigate the possibility of running its own trains, by ordering a single pilot locomotive. Following the trial, National Power ordered a further five locomotives and a fleet of hopper wagons to carry coal and limestone.Again built at the London, Ontario plant in 1994 and 1995, the six Class 59/2 locomotives differ from the Class 59/1s in several ways. A carbon dioxide fire control system replaces the original Halon system, and the fleet were originally fitted with drop-head knuckle couplers but were later replaced with standard screw couplings. A more advanced slow speed control suitable for merry-go-round power station coal train operation has been fitted, as well as yaw dampers for a higher top speed.
In April 1998, EWS took over National Power's rail operations. With the locomotives under EWS management, they were used more widely over the network until 2005 when they were allocated to work beside the Mendip Rail fleet. The 59/2s are also now maintained by Mendip Rail at Merehead.
Notable workings
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 and long.Accidents and incidents
- On 19 September 1997, 59101 was involved in the major Southall railway accident. The locomotive had just passed across the main line, under clear signals on its way into the goods yard, and escaped damage, but the oncoming InterCity 125 struck the hopper wagons in its train immediately behind. One of the wagons was thrown upwards and became caught on a stanchion before falling onto the derailed high speed train.
- On 12 September 2000, while working the 6A20 Whatley to Acton stone train, 59103 and the first ten hopper wagons derailed at 23:20 between Great Elm Tunnel and Bedlam Tunnel on the single track branch line to the Hanson Quarry at Whatley. The locomotive and the first two hoppers rolled and 59103 came to rest on the parapet of a small bridge on the driver's side with the trailing bogie partially torn off by the following hopper wagon. The locomotive was pulled upright on 19 September 2000 and removed to Whatley Quarry where an initial assessment of the damage was made and repairs made to make the locomotive safe for removal by road. The locomotive was then moved by road to Derby on 2 November 2000 for further assessment before moving to Eastleigh for repairs.
- On 20 March 2017, 59001 was hauling a freight train containing aggregates, which derailed due to gauge spread at East Somerset Junction, Witham Friary.
Export
In August 2014, it was purchased by GB Railfreight. It was repatriated back to Great Britain from Germany via the Port of Immingham in October 2014 and then moved by rail to Eastleigh Works for recommissioning by Arlington Fleet Services.
Fleet details
| Number | Works No | Commissioned by | Build Date | Ship | Arrive UK | Revenue | Owner | Name | Notes |
| 59001 | 848002-1 | Foster Yeoman | 1985 | MV Fairlift | 21 January 1986 | February 1986 | Freightliner | Yeoman Endeavour | |
| 59002 | 848002-2 | Foster Yeoman | 1985 | MV Fairlift | 21 January 1986 | February 1986 | Freightliner | Alan J Day | Renamed from Yeoman Enterprise at Merehead Quarry on 21 June 1996 by Alan J Day, Managing Director of Day Aggregates |
| 59003 | 848002-3 | Foster Yeoman | 1985 | MV Fairlift | 21 January 1986 | February 1986 | GB Railfreight | Yeoman Highlander | Transferred to Germany in 1997 and renumbered 259003, sold to GB Railfreight August 2014 |
| 59004 | 848002-4 | Foster Yeoman | 1985 | MV Fairlift | 21 January 1986 | February 1986 | Freightliner | Paul A Hammond | Renamed from Yeoman Challenger at Merehead Quarry on 21 June 1996 by Paul A Hammond, Managing Director of Yeoman Aggregates |
| 59005 | 878039-1 | Foster Yeoman | 1989 | MV Fairlift | 4 June 1989 | June 1989 | Freightliner | Kenneth J Painter | |
| 59101 | 878029-1 | Hanson | 1990 | MV Stellamare | 20 October 1990 | 11 November 1990 | Freightliner | Village of Whatley | |
| 59102 | 878029-2 | Hanson | 1990 | MV Stellamare | 20 October 1990 | 11 November 1990 | Freightliner | Village of Chantry | |
| 59103 | 878029-3 | Hanson | 1990 | MV Stellamare | 20 October 1990 | 11 November 1990 | Freightliner | Village of Mells | |
| 59104 | 878029-4 | Hanson | 1990 | MV Stellamare | 20 October 1990 | 11 November 1990 | Freightliner | Village of Great Elm | |
| 59201 | 918273-1 | National Power | 1994 | MV Haskerland | 16 February 1994 | 26 April 1994 | Freightliner | Carries debranded DB Schenker Livery | |
| 59202 | 948510-1 | National Power | 1995 | MV Condock V | 4 August 1995 | October 1995 | Freightliner | Carries debranded DB Schenker livery |
All of the Freightliner locomotives apart from 59206 are nameless.