British Rail Class 59

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.

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
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

British Rail Class 59 Media

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

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  British Rail class 59 cab display, 59001 at Southampton, 1986. Scanned from a Fujichrome 35mm slide.

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  59003 Yeoman Highlander at Reading, 1992

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  ARC 59104 Village of Great Elm at Reading, 1991

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  National Power 59202 Vale of White Horse at Knottingley in 1996

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  HHPI 259003 on Hamburg Kirchenpauerkai in 2007

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  59003 Yeoman Highlander is now working for GB Railfreight

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

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  59103, the only Class 59 to have been seriously damaged in an accident when it derailed near Whatley in 2000. (Photographed in 2008)

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  Mendip Rail 59002 (photograph 2000)