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British Rail Class 59 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 59
59001 Yeoman Endeavour at Doncaster Works in revised Foster Yeoman livery on 27 July 2003
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder General Motors Electro Motive Division
Model JT26CW-SS
Build date 1985–1995
Total production 15
Configuration Co-Co
UIC classification Co'Co'
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Length 21.40 m (70 ft 3 in)
Width 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height 3.91 m (12 ft 10 in)
Locomotive weight 126 t (124.0 long tons; 138.9 short tons)
Fuel capacity 1,000 imp gal (4,550 L; 1,200 US gal)
Prime mover EMD 16-645E3C
Multiple working AAR system (Classes 59, 66 and 67)
Top speed 60–75 mph (97–121 km/h)
Power output Engine: 3,300 bhp (2,460 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 508 kN (114,000 lbf) at 11 km/h (7 mph)
Continuous: 290 kN (65,000 lbf) at 23 km/h (14 mph)
Train heating None
Train brakes Air
Career English, Welsh and Scottish Railway
Mendip Rail
Number 59001–59005, 59101–59104, 59201–59206
Axle load class Route availability 7

The Class 59 Co-Co diesel locomotives were built and introduced between 1985 and 1995 by General Motors Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) for private British companies, initially Foster Yeoman. They were designed for hauling heavy freight and designated JT26CW-SS.


Images for kids

  • 59001 at Southampton Docks

    59001 at Southampton Docks having been unloaded from the MV Fairlift in January 1986

  • Class 59 cab view

    Inside the cab

  • 59003 at Reading

    59003 Yeoman Highlander at Reading, 1992

  • 59104 at Reading

    ARC 59104 Village of Great Elm at Reading, 1991

  • 59202 at Knottingley

    National Power 59202 Vale of White Horse at Knottingley in 1996

  • HHPI 59 (cropped)

    HHPI 259003 on Hamburg Kirchenpauerkai in 2007

  • Minehead Turntable - GBRf 59003

    59003 Yeoman Highlander is now working for GB Railfreight

  • Westbury - DBS 59206 empty Hanson hoppers

    59206 John F Yeoman at Westbury with a train for Whatley quarry

  • Hugh llewelyn 59 103 (5613172343)

    59103 is the only Class 59 to have been seriously damaged in an accident when it derailed near Whatley in 2000. It was repaired and this photograph was taken in 2008.

  • General Motors EMD Class 59 Co-Co DE 59 002 OOC 050800

    Mendip Rail 59002 (photograph 2000)

  • Minehead turntable 59002

    Foster Yeoman 59002 (photograph 2011)

  • ARC 59101

    ARC 59101 (photograph 1999)

  • Freightliner 59103 in Hanson livery at Bathpool

    Hanson 59103 (photograph 2020)

  • Westbury - 59001 (30 years of class 59)

    Aggregate Industries 59001 (photo 2016)

  • Yeoman Endeavour 59001

    Yeoman Endeavour (59001)

  • Paul A Hammond 59004

    Paul A Hammond (59004)

  • Village of Mells 59103

    Village of Mells (59103)

  • Vale of Glamorgan 59204

    Vale of Glamorgan (59204)

  • 59206 John F. Yeoman Rail Pioneer at Eastleigh 100 (7)

    John F Yeoman (59206)

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