News

UPDATE: Progress on 58045:
Posted 26th July 2010
Work is continuing at a pace with the stripping down of 58045, with the locomotive now moved into a private building within the Barrow Hill complex for contracted out work to be undertaken. With most roof and door panels removed, the power unit has been disconnected in readiness for removal, with the engine being raised up on jacks for work on the bogies to commence; which includes removal of all remaining traction motors. 58045 has proved to be a fantastic asset to the Class 58 Locomotive Group and to date has provided a whole host of spare parts that shall be vital to the successful overhaul of classmate 58016. On behalf of the group I would like to remind people that whilst 045 is within private facilities the opportunties for members to visit and inspect shall be limited; however once 016 arrives and takes residence within the Roundhouse better access for visitors and hands-on volunteers shall be available. If anyone requires further information on access to 'our' locomotives please contact Vice Chairman Alex Fisher via e-mail at alex.fisher@c58lg.co.uk (please copy and paste address into your e-mail).

Photograph by David Dudley - http://daviddudley.fotopic.net

More details available for C58LG Annual General Meeting:
Posted 19th July 2010
The Class 58 Locomotive Group's 2010 Annual General Meeting is now confirmed as taking place on Saturday 21st August, inside the Roundhouse of Barrow Hill Railway Centre, near Chesterfield. Scheduled to commence at 2pm, the meeting shall be held in the presence of at least one of our recently preserved engines. The event is principally open to C58LG members ONLY; so if you wish to become a member of the Class 58 Locomotive Group please click here

Wolverton Open Days Postponed:
Posted 18th July 2010
The Class 58 Locomotive Group has been advised that due to poor advanced ticket sales Railcare Ltd have postponed their planned Wolverton Works Open Days, orginally scheduled for 14th & 15th August 2010, until a date in 2011.

The event, to have been opened by Pete Waterman, planned to host a plethora of visiting attractions, including steam, diesel and electric locomotives; with C58LG going to have been one of over 80 railway-themed trade stands confirmed as being in attendance.

On behalf of our group, we would like to thank all those who had responded to our appeal for support and are disappointed that the event shall no longer be taking place.

Therefore, the next outing for our sales stand shall now be at Barrow Hill's 'Model Rail Live' event over the weekend of September 25th & 26th. If any members are still interested in helping out on our stand are able to make this event please contact our Publicity Officer, Chris Lowe, directly by e-mail, via publicity@c58lg.co.uk (copy & paste link into your e-mail), as any assistance, however little, shall be very much appreciated.

Another weekend of work on 045 :
Posted 18th July 2010
With a keeness to salavage as many useable parts from our donor engine, 58045, for subsequent re-use on classmate 58016; members of the Class 58 Locomotive Group have been busy at Barrow Hill over the weekend of 17th & 18thJuly 2010, continuing with the stripping apart of the locomotive.

Work to date now includes a large-scale electrical strip out, removal of engine room doors and other work in preparation for the locomotive's power unit to be removed; an activity which shall be contracted out.

Particular thanks must go to Gareth Broughton and Sean Sharples, for the time they have spent on the project to date.

The current position of 58045 within the commercial section of Barrow Hill, has placed restrictions on the time and number of volunteers able to work on the engine at any one time, however for any members who may wish to get hands involved with our restoration project once 58016 arrives and moves within the Roundhouse, more details shall be be available shortly, once a detailed work plan has been developed and associated timescales reviewed.

In the meantime; Vice Chairman Alex Fisher is offering a limited number of pre-arranged / escorted visits to see 58045 at Barrow Hill, between Monday 19th & Friday 23rd July 2010. If any C58LG members wish to participate in this please contact Alex via e-mail at alex.fisher@c58lg.co.uk (please copy and paste address into your e-mail).

A light-hearted look at liveries for 016 :
Posted 15th July 2010
The livery of a preserved locomotive is often open to big debate, therefore the Class 58 Locomotive Group has decided to start thinking early of options available and even explore some more unorthodox colour scheme. Thanks to the clever work of Jo Alder, the appearance of 58016 in a variety of non-traditional liveries can be seen on a new photo gallery added to our fotopic site, simply click on our photo gallery section and follow the link.

Progress made of stripping 58045 for spares:
Posted 12th July 2010
After a weekend of hands on activity at Barrow Hill Roundhose; the stripping of 58045 for spares is progressing well, with a variety of useable electrical and mechanical components now having been removed from the locomotive.

Both cabs of the engine have now been heavily stripped (see photo on left), with dials, panels and other fixtures having been removed.

All salavaged items shall initially be securely stored, ahead of restoration and subsequent re-use on classmate 58016.

58045 purchased as a donor locomotive!
Posted 9 July 2010
Following on swiftly from the purchase for preservation of 58016; the Class 58 Locomotive Group is pleased to announce that on Wednesday 7th July 2010 classmate 58045 was purchased from scrap dealer EMR, who had recently sourced the locomotive from DB Schenker’s latest tender list. The purchase has been dictated by our group’s desire to ensure sufficient spare parts are available so as to return 58016 to full working order, with 58045 now secured as our donor engine.

As the forty fifth out of fifty Class 58s to be constructed at Doncaster Works between 1983 and 1987; 58045 entered traffic at Toton on 1st October 1986, principally dedicated to hauling Merry-go-round coal duties between collieries and power stations across the Midlands. The engine’s original Railfreight red stripe livery was succeeded by Trainload Coal colours on 23rd February 1989, with Mainline branding added to it’s then subsequent triple grey livery on 1st August 1995, the colour scheme worn until transfer to Eastleigh in April 2001 and subsequent withdrawal the following year.

On 26th August 2002 the locomotive double-headed with 58033 on Pathfinder’s ‘Bone Breaker’ tour from Crewe to Clacton, leading the infamous excursion into Walton on Nase station where it collided at slow speed with the buffers; ultimately leading to it’s removal from active service.

Overlooked for further use abroad, number 45 spent several years stored at Old Oak Common depot in London, before being transferred to Crewe Electric depot during 2009, from where it was purchased by EMR.

58045 arrived by road at Barrow Hill Roundhouse earlier today, ahead of being stripped on site over the forthcoming weeks. The engine shall soon be joined at the heritage centre by 58016, which is currently being prepared for its move from Crewe Electric depot. Once both locomotives are together all salvageable components from 045 shall be transferred to 016 prior to the remains of the former being sent for scrap, so as to raise funds for the ongoing operation of a Class 58 in preservation.


C58LG at Model Rail Live!
Posted 8 July 2010
Further to the excellent news that the C58LG have managed to secure 58016 for preservation and the fact that the locomotive will initially be based at Barrow Hill - a location which the C58LG has always been a supporter of - the Class 58 Locomotive Group are pleased to announce that they will have a display and sales stand at the forthcoming Model Rail Live event which is being held at the Roundhouse over the weekend of 25 and 26 September.
At the event, which is sponsored by Hornby, the C58LG hope to display as many different model of Class 58s as possible - so if you have a scale locomotive in ANY gauge which you would like us to display, please contact Alex Fisher, the C58LG vice-chairman by e-mailing him at alex.fisher@c58lg.co.uk (please copy and paste the e-mail address - done to prevent spamming).
This will be the second big outing for the C58LG sales stand in as many months as we will also be having a presence at the Wolverton Works open weekend - see the news item posted on the 5 April below.



C58LG membership boost!
Posted 8 July 2010
Since the announcement that the C58LG has secured 58016 for preservation - a notable ‘first’ in preservation history - the Group has welcomed many new members to our fold and to all these, we would like to extend our welcome.
Thanks are due to everyone involved with the Group past, present and future but we still need the continued support we have enjoyed up to now in order to restore and maintain 58016. There are many ways EVERYONE can help the Group - whether you are a member or not and these are detailed in the news item here.



58016 secured for preservation!
Posted 1 July 2010

On Monday 28 June 2010 DB Schenker confirmed that the Class 58 Locomotive Group’s bid for 58016 had been accepted and thus the locomotive would become the first preserved example of its type.

As many members may be aware; seven stored Class 58s were advertised for sale on Monday 19 April 2010, along with a number of Class 08s, 09s, 37s, 56s and numerous wagons. With the date for sealed-tender submissions set for Tuesday 15 June 2010, the C58LG committee acted fast in deciding that this first opportunity to consider purchasing a Class 58 was too significant to miss and hence began a hectic process of registering interest, receiving tender documents, arranging depot visits, inspecting engines, fund raising and an ultimate decision making process.
(Photo right: 58016 waits in Chaddeston sidings with a ballast train from Toton. Ian Thurman)

The launch of a well publicised ‘Save Me’ appeal helped boost both public awareness and group funds, with the support and generosity of individual members helping place our organisation in a realistic position.

Following visits to Eastleigh, Toton and Crewe Electric depots, to conduct detailed inspections of all seven engines, Nos. 58002, 58003, 58014, 58016, 58019, 58028 and 58045, a decision was made. Whilst one of the above engines, namely 58016, appeared relatively intact, the remainder were heavily stripped (and in some cases even vandalised). To expand upon the processes and decisions made, a detailed report on the locomotive inspections shall appear in the next edition of the Group’s magazine, Red Diamond.

With the generous financial contributions from five individual group members combined with the Class 58 Locomotive Group contribution; a consortium bid was placed; with the resultant outcome being the purchase for preservation of the sixteenth member of the once fifty-strong Class. Whilst a second locomotive bid was also made, so as to secure a donor engine to provide spares for 58016, this was sadly unsuccessful and now attention must turn towards sourcing any required additional parts, potentially from scrap merchants who may have purchased some of the remaining six engines.

58016 entered traffic at Toton on 5 October 1984, the locomotive’s home until 10 April 2001, when it was transferred south to Eastleigh. Un-named throughout it’s career, the engine’s original Railfreight red stripe livery was initially replaced by Trainload Coal grey, before a repaint into plain aircraft blue livery in 1994. ‘Mainline’ branding was applied on 1 September 1995 prior to a full repaint into EWS maroon livery in June 1996, the colour scheme worn until withdrawal on 5 August 2002.
(Photo left: 58016 heads through Trowell on the 27 August 1986. Paul Bettany)

For ‘016 storage was not to be indefinite, as 3 years later, on 14 May 2005, following an overhaul and repaint into Fertis white livery, the locomotive was despatched to France for a tour of duty hauling engineering trains. Prematurely returned to the UK some 375 days later, reputedly due to a major alternator failure, the engine was subsequently deemed unsuitable for any further use abroad. Initially stored at Old Oak Common depot, the engine moved by road to Crewe Electric Depot during 2009, ahead of the West London site closing.

Time and effort over the coming weeks shall focus on moving the engine to her new home, Barrow Hill Roundhouse, near Chesterfield. This Midlands depot, now a heritage centre, was very familiar with Class 58s in its heyday, with examples frequently stabled there until closure on 9 February 1991, the day in fact when 58016 worked out of the depot as the last of the Class to leave there in BR service and the second to last ever BR working for there; now there’s some ironic history!

On behalf of the Class 58 Locomotive Group, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to date on helping us realise an ambition of purchasing a Class 58 for preservation, however as one chapter finishes another begins. If any members are keen to register an interest to join our restoration crew and become actively involved in returning 58016 to her former glory please feel free to contact either myself or any other committee member. More detailed information shall be available soon.

Please watch this space for further news and updates and once again thank you to everyone involved in getting us this far, lets keep up the good work.

We are still encouraging people to join the Class 58 Locomotive and help us get the locomotive to an operational condition. If you would like to join us, or even make a donation, please do using the PayPal buttons below.

Click this button to join the C58LG  Click this button to DONATE to the C58LG

Alternatively, if you would like send a cheque, please print out our downloadable membership form and send it off. We’ll deal the the rest!

Thank you for your support.

Additional fundraising scheme
Posted 2 May 2010
The Class 58 Locomotive Group have now registered with the buy.at fundraising scheme. If you purchase a lot of products online, please click on this link to do your shopping. As well as being able to offer discounted prices on hundreds of goods, your purchases will enable a donation (at no extra cost to you) to be made to the Class 58 Locomotive Group.



Class 58 nameplate for sale!
Posted 2 May 2010
The Class 58 Locomotive Group were pleased to be assist the selling of a genuine Class 58 nameplate that was for sale in early May 2010. The nameplate, Ratcliffe Power Station was carried by 58041 prior to its export to Spain. Also included in the sale was a small Toton depot plaque as carried by the Class 58s. Both plates were in ex-loco condition and come with full supporting documents. The nameplate itself was in excellent condition with no cracks or removal damage.



Class 58s for sale!
Posted 25 April 2010
On the 19th April 2010, the latest DB Schenker disposals list was released. On it were the usual selection of Class 08 and 0-9 shunters, some 37s, 56 and for the very first time were a selection of Class 58 locomotives.

The SEVEN Class 58s up for sale are as follows:
* 58002 at Eastleigh;
* 58003 at Toton;
* 58014 at Toton;
* 58016 at Crewe IEMD;
* 58019 at Toton;
* 58028 at Toton; and
* 58045 at Crewe IEMD.

As Chris Lowe, C58LG Publicity Officer explains: “With 36 active members of the 50-strong heavy freight locomotive type now working abroad, the examples offered are from those currently stored in the UK and although some are in a far more deteriorated state than others it is a significant first step towards the ultimate disposal of the Class by Britain's largest rail freight operator.

Since being formed over nine years ago, the Class 58 Locomotive Group has endeavoured to act as the key source for all things Class 58 related, plotting their history, logging their known workings and creating a detailed pictorial record; ultimately aiming to truly preserve their legacy by purchasing an example for operation in preservation. In preparation for this, our organisation, which currently has around 100 members, has actively conducted a selection of fund raising, publicity and social activities so as to raise both our income and profile within the world of railway preservation.  

The opportunity now being made available by DB Schenker is the first chance for us to genuinely consider buying a Class 58 and whilst we are currently assessing in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each individual locomotive, we as a group have registered an interest in inspecting the locomotives with a view to placing a realistic bid towards purchasing one. Whilst we have been very successful to date and have capital to put forward towards a bid, we urgently need further funding so as to have as much money available as possible to make a sensible bid for a locomotive, should we desire.

Therefore, I am e-mailing on behalf of the Class 58 Locomotive Group committee to ask for any donations or other support which can be put towards the ultimate goal of purchasing a Class 58 for preservation and should we be unsuccessful this time, either due to being outbid or viewing the locomotives as being uneconomical to purchase, our overall financial position shall be far healthier ahead of when the next batch of locomotives become available.”

You can support the Class 58 Locomotive Group in any of the following ways:-

Make a Donation:-
Send a cheque or Postal Order (made payable to Class 58 Locomotive Group) to 'Save Me Appeal', 14 The Chase, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4LZ, alternatively, just click the button below.

Become a C58LG member:- For ONLY £10!
Simply visit our Join the C58LG page and download a postal application form or apply online via PayPal by clicking on the link below. Please note that joining online will cost £11 in order to cover Paypal fees.

Play our Lottery:- 'The 58 Club'
Simply visit the Fifty Eight Club page and download an application form; so for just £1 a month you can help us whilst having a chance to win cash.

In whichever manner you may choose to help us we shall be very grateful, as without your support we may be unable to secure for preservation an example of one of the UK's most historic diesel fleets. Thank you.


Dapol ‘N’ gauge 58
Posted 12 March 2010
At the Glasgow model railway exhibition on Friday 26th February and over that weekend, visitors could see a prototype model of Dapol’s ‘N’ gauge Class 58.

The photo on the right (by Simon Jennings) shows a Trainload Coal liveried locomotive.

Models should be available to buy in the shops soon as well as direct from Dapols website (www.dapol.co.uk)!



58008 heading south
Posted 12 January 2010
UPDATED 13 January 2010
A few days ago, it was reported that 58008, which is stored at Toton depot, was to be loaded onto a low loader and moved to Eastleigh depot, presumably to join the stripped examples still at the Hampshire depot. It is unlikely that the loco will be made operational again as Axiom Rail have fulfilled their commotment and sent all twenty-four Class 58s to France. One possibility however is that the loco could be resurrected as a ‘back-up’ to replace any of the WZFF fleet that encounter problems whilst over the Channel whilst another possibility is that the loco is to provide spare parts on an as-and-when basis.
On the 13th January, 58008 had arrived and been unloaded at Southampton Eastern Docks. The loco was deposited in Southampton as this is the nearest location where loading/unloading of rail vehicles onto heavy-haulage road trailers can take place. On the 14th Jan, 58008 was hauled over to Eastleigh depot by 66187..



Final Fifty Eight reaches France...
Posted 3 December 2009
On the 24th November, 58006 - the last Class 58 being prepared for France - left Eastleigh depot to head overseas. This now means that all 24 WZFF-allocated 58s are now overseas.



58 nameplates up for auction...
Posted 11 November 2009
Updated 3 December 2009
Several Class 58 nameplates have been released for auction by DB Schenker were sold in late November on their behalf by www.railwayana.net on-line auctioneers.

The nameplates that were up for sale were:
* Markham Colliery (ex-58003) sold for £860
* Shirebrook Colliery (ex-58019) sold for £1,000
* Doncaster Works (ex-58020) sold for £1,600
and
* Toton Traction Depot (ex-58050) also sold for £1,600

Also released by DB Schenker for the same auction included nameplates from Class 08s, 09s, 37s, 47s, 60s and Crewe International Electric Depot (ex-90126) as well as cabside numbers from 87101 and 59206 as well as Leicester (Panther), Crewe IEMD (Eagle) and Stewarts Lane (Power Station) depot plaques. On a more unusual note, some MGR wagon plates and an ex-Great Western Railway gate ex-Old Oak Common...!



58006 nearly ready for France...
Posted 05 November 2009
58021 (ETF livery) has made it into France only a few hours after being hauled from Eastleigh less than two weeks ago which left only 58006 at the depot to be released.

News received indicated that 58006, which has been stored since January 2000 - nine and a half years ago - blew its turbo whilst on the load bank hence its delayed return to service.

As the photo on the right shows, 58006 also sports a fresh coat of paint - the ETF livery.

Photo: Brian Daniels. more images of the Class 58s can be seen on Brian’s site by clicking on this link.



Next French 58 ready to roll...
Posted 24 October 2009
On the 22nd October, 58021 was released back “into traffic” when it was hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley. 021 is the latest loco to be readied for France and once on the continent will join classmates at work on the new LGV. With 58021 now en-route overseas, this leaves just 58006 to head abroad.



‘RAILFREIGHT’ plate sells at GCRA auction...
Posted 09 October 2009
On the 3rd October 2009, Great Central Railwayana Auctions successfully sold a cast ‘Railfreight’ plate. These plates, which were carried on the front of only a small number of named-Class 58s in their Trainload Coal livery between the years of 1986 and 1990 (see this picture for an example) are extremely rare to come by and this was reflected in the final sale price - a mere £660... 



Latest 58 heads to France
Posted 23 September 2009
On the 10th September, 58036 (in ETF livery) was moved from Eastleigh to Wembley to Dollands Moor and into France. This loco, once earmarked as the forth loco supposed to head to the Netherlands (in the WZFH pool) but ressurection work was never undertaken and the loco never left the UK. With 58036 now abroad, this leaves just two more Class 58s from the WZFF pool, viz: 58006 and 58021 to be exported.



First and Last 58s now abroad...
Posted 19 August 2009
Updated 20 August 2009
On the 12th August, one-time long-term Barrow Hill resident 58001 was released from Eastleigh depot in an operational condition (and a brand new coat of paint in the ETF livery) and hauled to Wembley, Dollands Moor and the following day made it into France for the Rhine-Rhone project. With this loco abroad, it means that both 58001 and 58050 are now working overseas (58050 is working in Spain). It is expected that the three ex-ACTS 58s (see news item below) have now also arrived in France where it is understood that work on the new LGV has started.
On the 19th August, 58042 followed having been released from overhaul at Eastleigh. This now leaves only 58006, 58021 and 58036 left to head abroad.



For ‘Dutch 58s’ now read ‘Belgian 58s’ (Dutch 58s on the move)...
Posted 29 July 2009
Further to yesterdays update regarding the release of the three ex-ACTS 58s into ETF livery, the locos have now started their journey south west. The photo on the right, courtesy of Raymond Kies, shows the locos being hauled through Oudenbosch on the 28th of July by 186-215 on train 44603 from Kijfhoek to Antwerp (Belguim) where they will await forwarding to France and onto the Rhine-Rhone project joining their classmates..



Further Fifty-Eight News...
Posted 28 July 2009
* 15th July: 58040 and 58049 were released from overhaul at Eastleigh and made their way to France via the usual Eastleigh-Wembley-Dollands Moor-France route.

* 23rd July: 58004 and 58013 were the next pair to go. This is an interesting date in the Class 58 history as 58013 was withdrawn from service in April 2001 and is one of the long-stored examples (eight and a half years in store) which have been rejuvenated for the overseas contracts. With this pair heading off, this leaves just five more 58s to head to France, viz: 58001, 58006, 58021, 58036 and 58042.

* Over in the Netherlands, the three former ACTS machines, 58039 (ex-5811) and 58044 (ex-5812) have now joined 58038 (ex-5814) in yellow ETF livery and are currently stabled at Kijfhoek yard awating transfer to France. A photo of the locos in their new liveries awaiting transfer can be found on the railfan.nl website here.

Meanwhile, news from Spain is that 58050 (along with 58027 to a lesser extent) has been the victim of a graffiti artist whilst being out-stationed in Valencia. Photo right.



More French Fifty Eight news!
Posted 05 July 2009
Updated 19 July 2009
Since the last update, there have been several more Class 58 developments on the French/Dutch locos and these are summarised below:

* The three ACTS Class 58s (58038, 58039 and 58044 - still in the Netherlands) have been re-allocated to the French WZFF pool thus rendering the WZFH pool defunct.

* 3rd June: 58007 and 58011 were released from Eastleigh and hauled to Wembley. Two days later, on the 5th of June, they were in France.

* 10th June: 58018 was the next Bone to be hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley in the usual 6M44 behind 66193. The next day it was transferred to Dollands Moor and into France.

* The next two locos for export, 58005 and 58026, were hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley by 66050 on the 17th June. They were at Dollands Moor the following day. Interestingly 58026 is, like all the French locos this year, in TSO yellow/blue livery, 58005 has been outshopped in a similar livery (albeit with a black solebar rather than blue) but sporting ETF branding (Europeene de Travaux Ferroviaires) on the cab sides with a green stripe.

* 19th June: 58035 was hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley and onto Dollands Moor where it joins 58005 and 58026 before all three were hauled to France the following day.

* 1st July: 58010, 58032 and 58046 were the next batch of locos to be released from Eastleigh to Wembley to Dollands Moor and into France on the 2nd July. This means that to date, there are now 12 Class 58s in France, 3 still in the Netherlands and another 12 in Spain meaning currently just over half the Class 58 fleet are abroad, but more importantly, active. This leaves just nine 58s; 58001, 004, 006, 013, 021, 036, 040, 042, and 049 left at Eastleigh which are planned to head to France.

Meanwhile at Eastleigh, 58002, 58017 and 58037 appear to be heavily stripped and are currently bogie-less, sitting on stacks of sleepers. It is also understood that a further bogie swap has taken place on one of the Class 58s currently in Spain over the last few weeks.

In addition to all this news, it has transpired that the three Dutch locos are now not returning to the UK before being exported to France but instead are being prepared in the Netherlands and will eventually be hauled to France directly across the continent. 58038 (former ACTS 5814) has been repainted out of its Vos Logistics black livery into the ETF yellow livery already being sported by 58005 which was prepared at Eastleigh.

* 15th July: 58040 and 58049 were hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley and onto Dollands Moor and into France by the following day.



Latest French 58s news
Posted 20 May 2009
Bon voyage! On the 11th May, the first three 58s left the UK bound for France. 58009, 58033 and 58034 were hauled through the tunnel overnight bound for the new LGV Rhine-Rhone project.
Meanwhile the sole remaining Class 58 at OC; 58045; was moved by road to Crewe on the 7th May thus leaving the London depot clear of 58s for a number of years. The remaining type 5s (18 x Class 56s) at Old Oak were, after a number of problems were encountered, hauled by rail to Wembley and eventually on to Crewe.



Calling all ‘Facebookers’...
Posted 20 May 2009
In aiming to broadening and simplify the ability for group members and other interested persons to communicate, keep in touch and share relevant information; we have recently created a Class 58 dedicated page on the free-access social networking website Facebook. Discussion topics can be viewed, created and commented on, photos and videos can be uploaded, relevant web links and news items can be displayed or comments can simply be written on our profile front page wall. Similar pages have been launched by several other railway organisations and we as a locomotive group hope to use this as a basis for bringing members together and getting to know each other, ahead of us realising our dream of owning a Class 58 heavy freight locomotive. Facebook is free to join, via www.facebook.com, and anyone who’s logged on can join the Class 58 Group Page. To easily access our site, simply type Class 58 Facebook Group into the facebook search engine, or for a direct link, click here. If anyone has any queries on using the page please do not hesitate to contact the C58LG publicity Officer, Chris Lowe, by e-mailing publicity@c58lg.co.uk.



More News on foreign fifty-eights...
Posted 08 April 2009
Updated 28 April 2009
Updated (again!) 30 April 2009
58005 and 58036 were hauled from Toton to Eastleigh by 66051 on the 27th February meanwhile 58001 has recently been examined at Barrow Hill in readiness for a move to Eastleigh in order for it to also be prepared for a working holiday. Meanwhile at the Hampshire depot, it is understood that at least six Class 58s are now in a yellow and blue livery, identical to that of the TSO livery previously carried by a handful of 58s in France a few years ago. Of these, it is understood that 58009, 58011, 58033, 58034 and 58046 are included.
Finally, it is confirmed that the painting of the eight original Class 58s in Spain has been started with at least 58041 appearing in the new Continental Rail livery. The photo on the right shows the loco in its new livery at the Albacete depot, south east of Madrid.
April 2009 is evidently a busy month in the history of the Class 58s as the following moves have also taken place:-
* 21st April: 58016 was transferred by road from Old Oak Common to Crewe for secure storage.
* 22nd April: 58001 was hauled from Barrow Hill to Toton in the early hours of the morning by 66017. The 58 is expected to be overhauled and readied for a trip to France. This move leave the area without a Class 58 for the first time in 25 years! In addition, another French loco, 58009 resplendant in new coat of TSO yellow and blue, was hauled from Eastleigh depot to Wembley before arriving at Dollands Moor on the following day.
* 24th April: 58048 was the next ‘Bone’ to be relocated from the closing OC depot having been transferred by road to Crewe joining 58016 and local long-term resident 58022. After a 56 or two have been moved, it is anticipated that the final 58 from OC, 58045, will join these two in the very near future.
On the 29th April, sisters 58033 and 58034, both in the TSO livery and ready for export, were hauled from Eastleigh to Wembley in the usual 6M44 movement. 66078 provided the power. It is understood that 58009 is still at Dollands Moor, possibly waiting for her class-mates to arrive before onward transfer to the Rhine-Rhone project.
Meanwhile, a selection of pictures have been posted on this fotopic site showing some major damage to a set of Class 58 wheelsets. It is not yet known which Class 58 they are under but it looks like the pictures could have been taken at Old Oak Common which would suggest that they belong to 58045; possibly one of the reasons why it was never selected to go abroad (being one of the last operational 58s).



New Publicity Officer for the C58LG
Posted 26 April 2009
At the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Class 58 Locomotive Group, member Chris Lowe volunteered to cover the previously vacant post of Publicity Officer for the Class 58 Locomotive Group. Chris is very enthusiastic about the C58LG and it is an absolute pleasure to welcome him to the committee of the Group. If anyone would like to contact Chris, please e-mail him at publicity(AT)c58lg.co.uk. Note spamtrap; replace(AT) with ‘@.’



New page added to this website: Simulators
Posted 20 March 2009
With improvements in the computing industry and more powerful graphics being available, simulators are becoming more and more popular. There are various different types of train simulators available; Rail Simulator, Trainsim and BVE to name a few. We have added a new page to this website to keep enthusiasts up to date with the Class 58s on these simulators.,



’Mainline’ amendment
Posted 15 February 2009
The ‘Mainline’ history page on this website has had a minor alteration made to it - it has been pointed out that no fewer than two Class 33s received Mainline branding on their triple grey liveries (33063 and 33204). Following a heated debate and after some photographic proofs were shown, the alteration has now been made so that the information published on this website is as accurate as possible.



New C58LG Membership Secretary
Posted 08 January 2009
The Class 58 Locomotive Group have a new Membership Secretary who has taken over the role with immediate effect. Alan Wilson is now responsible for new memberships as well as current renewals and the C58LG committee warmly welcome him on board. A revised membership form has been issued (which can be downloaded from the Join the C58LG page) and renewal forms are also being revised with the new address to which they should now be sent. Any forms sent recently to the Cardiff address will still be processed during the hand-over period so don’t panic if you’ve recently joined/renewed.



First 2009 issue of Modern Locomotive Illustrated to feature Class 58s!
Posted 31 December 2008
What an excellent way to kick off the new year! The next issue of MLI, which is due out towards the end of January, will feature the Class 58 locomotives.

Covering every aspect of their lives - from pre-building days, through the Railfreight, Trainload Coal, Mainline and EWS days right up to the recent French, Dutch and Spanish contracts.

84 pages in length and in full colour throughout, this magazine continues the excellent series edited by Colin Marsden, published by therailwaycentre.com and printed by Ian Allan.

Future issues for 2009/10 include:
* The Blue Pullman (on sale late March),
* The Class 24s and 25s (on sale late May),
* Desiro DMU/EMU stock (on sale late July),
* The Class 40s (on sale late September),
* The Class 47s (part 1 - up to 1985) (on sale late November) and
* The Class 47s (part 2 - 1985 onwards) (on sale late January 2010)



Dapol releases CGI images of ‘N’ gauge 58...
Posted 31 December 2008
Miniature train manufacturing firm ‘Dapol Model Railways’ have released a set of computer generated images of the Class 58 model which is due out in the shops in 2009. The images can be found on the ‘N gauge’ pages of this website (here) and also on Dapols website (here).The first batch of locos will carry the Railfreight red-stripe livery (two numbers), Coal sector and EWS liveries as well as the usual range of features, including directional lighting and being DCC-ready.



More Fifty Eights for France...including 58001!
Posted 12 November 2008 UPDATED 21 and 22 November 2008
With the construction of the new LGV Rhin-Rhone progressing nicely, we are nearing the time when it will be announced officially who may (or may not) be providing traction for the project. The 425km line is being overseen by RFF and sub-contracted out to various companies for the individual tasks. TSO have been announced as one of the preferred companies to undertake the track and overhead catenary installation and it is expected that Colas Rail (previously Seco Rail) and Fertis undoubtedly will be involved. It is rumoured that with these three companies having an involvement, Axiom Rail (on behalf of EWS) are to prepare over 20 Class 58 locomotives for export to France for the project - possibly including 58001 which has had a ‘fitness to run’ exam undertaken at Barrow Hill for a potential move to EH.
For C58LG members, there will be an in-depth look at the LGV Rhin-Rhone line in the December issue of Red Diamond.
Update from Eastleigh depot on 21-Nov-08:
* 58002 is inside the shed (most likely being stripped of components);
* 58011 and 58042 have been load bank tested recently, and
* 58034 is reportedly stripped down - for refurbishment...?
Further update on 22-Nov-08:
EWS appear to have re-organised their complete Class 58 fleet to reflect the new French contract with every loco being allocated to either an ‘active’ pool or the Axiom/EWS storage/holding pool - the first time no Class 58 has been allocated to the WNXX pool since 1999!
WZTS: Axiom/EWS staorage pool: 58002, 003, 008, 012, 014, 016, 017, 019, 022, 023, 028, 037, 045 & 048
WZFH: Class 58 Netherlands pool: 58038, 039 & 044
WZFS: Class 58 Spanish pool: 58015, 020, 024, 025, 027, 029, 030, 031, 041, 043, 047 & 050
WZFF: Class 58 French pool: 58001, 004, 005, 006, 007, 009, 010, 011, 013, 018, 021 (originally earmarked for the Spanish contract?), 026, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 040, 042, 046 and 049.



An ‘N’ gauge 58...
Posted 16 October 2008
With the second batch of Heljan 58s soon to hit the shelves, Dapol have announced that they are to model the Class 58s in ‘N’ gauge. Earlier this year we passed on the announcement that CJM Models were to release a Class 58 in N gauge but this appears to have gone quiet. However, whichever company releases their models will fill a gap in the Class 58 model market.
On Dapol’s release list are:
* 58012 in Railfreight red-stripe
* 58023 in Railfreight red-stripe
* 58037 in EWS livery
* 58042 in triple grey livery
Further to these models, also being flaunted are a variety of Class 67s and 86s as well as 156 DMUs and a variety of Mk.III coaches.



New fund-raising initiative launched by the C58LG: “£58k for a 58”
Posted 02 October 2008
Help the Class 58 Locomotive Group raise funds through this excellent new sponsorship scheme. Sponsor your favourite part of a loco, but be quick before it goes! Click on the “£58k Project” link for full details.



Spanish quartet
Posted 29 September 2008 UPDATED 01 October 2008
Further to the previous news items (below), 58047 was hauled from Wembley to Dollands Moor to join sisters 58015 and 58027 whilst the same morning, 58050 was hauled north from Eastleigh to Wembley. The following day the last-built-’bone’ was transferred to Dollands Moor before the quartet were hauled through the Channel Tunnel and into France for their marathon journey southwards to Spain.
Further news in the UK indicates that 58001, previously on display at the Knottingley depot open day earlier this month, ihas been inspected and could well see a new active life abroad. If ‘001 were to go to Spain, it would mean that both the first- and last-built Class 58s will work side-by-side for the first time in many years. Whether or not this will actually happen though remains to be seen as 58001, along with 56006, have recently been returned to Barrow Hill.



58s on the move and on show...
Posted 07 September 2008 UPDATED 12 September 2008
Some news on the 58 front here in the UK...
(1) 58001 was moved from Barrow Hill back to Knottingley depot (a location not unfamiliar with this loco as it was stored there for many years) for an open day held by EWS Energy on Saturday 6 September 2008. Other exhibits on display included 09201, 37411, 37670, 45112, 47805, 56006, 59202, 66011, 66050 and 67029 among others. Other highlights of the open day included a railtour to the nearby Eggborough power station using a Class 67 top and tail with Class 55 ‘Deltic’ 55022 Royal Scots Grey.
Left: 58001 on display at Knottingley open day. (C) Ian Furness

(2) 58015 and 58027, in the basic Continental Rail livery (without any branding at the moment), were hauled by 66069 from Eastleigh to Wembley yard in train 6M44 on the 9th September whilst 58047 was hauled light engine to Northam depot for tyre turning. This work was completed quickly as the ‘bone’ has been hauled back to Eastleigh on the 10th September by 66192 before being hauled up to Wembley the following day by 66088. 58050 remains at Eastleigh for forwarding to Wembley, *possibly* later in the week with 58021 (although there is some doubt as to whether 58021 is still part of the project with 58047s involvement).
In the afternoon of the 12th September, 58027 and 58015 were hauled from Wembley Yard to Dollands Moor where it is expected they will be hauled to Spain through the Channel Tunnel and France to Irun just inside the Spanish border, where a change of gauge will force the 58s to be loaded onto road lorries for forwarding to the depot at Albacete.
Photo: 66069 hauls 58015 and 58027 from Eastleigh to Wembley, passing Pirbright on 9th Sept 08. (C) Ian Parish



NEW! ‘Fifty-eight’ DVD OUT NOW!
Posted 18 August 2008
Fifty-eight is the history of the Doncaster-built Class 58s - from their Railfreight days, through Trainload Coal, Mainline Freight and EWS, to their foreign excursions. From coal-haulier to international traveller, their entire remarkable story is here . . . and there's plenty of rare and unusual workings to enjoy alongside the more run-of-the-mill.
Highlights include:
* Engine prototype 47901; 58001 & 004 on test;
* 58008 & 013 double-heading the Fletton Flyash;
* Railfreight-liveried examples on East Midlands MGRs at Trent and Retford;
* 58013 on a Freightliner;
* 58015 & 022 top & tailing to Asfordby Mine;
* 58034 undergoing maintenance at Doncaster Works;
* 58019 at Brocklesby;
* 58024 on sand at Sileby;
* 58041 at Byfleet on Yeoman stone;
* 58050 on Camas stone;
* 58034 at March on sand;
* 58015 on a Nuneaton drag;
* 58016 on a Regional Rail service at Ely;
* 58s on railtours;
* a triple-headed MGR at Didcot;
* 58043 on LPG tanks;
* 58030 & 047 deputising for a Class 59 at Brookwood on a stone working;
* 58030 on the last EWS Binliner;
* the last 58 to Machen Quarry;
* 58031¹s last run;
* workings out of Eastleigh;
* the last 58 to work in Britain . . . plus a selection of 58s at work in Spain, France and the Netherlands.
* All this and plenty more!

Running Time: Approx 82 mins and retails at just £19.99.

To order your copy, please download our unique order form from here and either post it to the address shown. Alternatively, you can pay electronically through the PayPal system by clicking on the button below.

The “All Good Things” and “Blaze of Glory” tours.
Posted 28 June 2008
Despite many dubious rumours going around regarding these two tours in the lead up to last weekend, an excellent two days were had in the Netherlands on the weekend of 21/22 June. 5811 (58039) and ex-NS 1254 performed faultlessly both days and the C58LG have uploaded photos from the weekend onto our fotopic site which can be found at http://www.c58lg.fotopic.net/c1535202.html.
A review will also appear on this website in a few days, so keep an eye out for that!



“Ratcliffe Power Station”...
Posted 28 June 2008
Following the post on 16th May (see below), one of these nameplates (the re-cast version with the PowerGen logo as opposed to the original CEGB logo) carried by 58041 between June 1996 and January 2003 was recently sold at the May railwayana.net auctions for the princely sum of £2550. The other nameplates sold for similar amounts: Tryfan sold for £1300, Resurgent for £1350, Mirlees Pioneer went for £1600 whilst Cleveland Potash was obviously a more popular choice, going for £2350.



“Op de Rails” and the ACTS 58s...
Posted 13 June 2008 UPDATED 28 June 2008
To mark the forthcoming Class 58 railtour in the Netherlands with the ACTS locomotives, our friends in the NVBS have published two articles on the Class 58s and their work in their group magazine “Op de Rails”. One article features the Class 58s generally (their lives in the UK and abroad) which was written with help from the C58LG whilst the second article has been written in the style of “a day in the life of a 58 driver”! You can read a translation of this second article on the new “Experiences” page of our website.



Heljan Class 58 review now online!
Posted 13 June 2008
Now that all members of the C58LG have had a chance to read Ricky Vallance’s mammoth 12-page review of the first batch of the Heljan Class 58s, we are pleased to post a copy on this website. If you fancy taking up the challenge of reading it, you can find the review on this new page of the website.



Hola to more Spanish 58s!
Posted 6 June 2008
Another four Class 58s have been re-allocated to the WZGF (Spanish) pool confirming reports that further examples of the fleet are to be hired out to Spain. The locos in question are ex-French re-patriots: 58015, 58021, 58027 and interestingly last-built 58050, all of which are currently residing at Eastleigh. It has been noted that 58031, already basking in the Spanish sun, has been moved to a location near Madrid (see picture, left, courtesy of Jamie Llamazares Camblor) to haul infrastructure trains on yet another new standard-gauge high speed (AVE) line, work on which has already started. No updated news on what the Class 37 fleet is up to, mind... I feel another trip coming on!



Ratcliffe Power Station nameplate up for sale
Posted 16 May 2008
EWS have advised that several depot plaques and names, including 58041’s Ratcliffe Power Station plate, are up for auction and can be bid through the www.railwayana.net website from the 27th May. The full list of depot plaques available are: Crewe IEMD, Canton, Buxton and Stratford whilst the nameplates available are ex-20122 (‘Cleveland Potash’), 37901 (‘Mirrlees Pioneer’), 47797 (‘Resurgent’), 58041 (‘Ratcliffe Power Station’) and 60094 (‘Tryfan’) whilst the cast cabside number from 59202 is also available.



More ‘Bone’ models from Heljan...
Heljan have recently issued their 2008-releases programme. Amongst other locos such as various Class 26s, more Class 47s, a handful of limited-edition Falcons and the Class 17 ‘Clayton’ in its various guises, the second batch of Class 58 models are shown to be due out in August/September, comprising of:
* 58009 in Mainline grey 
* 58024 in EW&S maroon/gold
* 58041 in original Railfreight red-stripe (originally planned for 58038)
* 58048 ‘Coventry Colliery’ in Trainload Coal
We hope that Heljan have taken note of a few of the issues that have arisen with the first batch of 58 models and will improve their attention-to-detail with this second run of locos, modelling them to an even higher standard than before.

The Class 58 Locomotive Group have provided a detailed review of the first batch of Heljan Class 58s now they are on general release and this will appear in the next issue of Traction magazine. The review will also appear in full (all 12 pages of it!) as a supplement to the March issue of Red Diamond and in time this will appear in the ‘Models’ section of this website which can be found on the left hand menu, or by typing www.c58lg.co.uk/html/models.html into your browser.



Class 58s as Lickey Bankers...?
A new website, dedicated to the two-mile long 1:37 climb between Bromsgrove and Blackwell has been set up (here) and the author is interested in knowing about any occasions where Class 58s have been used to assist heavy or failed freight trains up the ascent. If anyone has any information about these activities, both the Lickey Incline website and the Class 58 Locomotive Group would be interested in hearing from you.



Class 58s carrying Toton depot plaques
As part of research being undertaken by the Class 58 Locomotive Group, we are seeking help regarding depot plaques carried by the fleet. We can’t find any photographic proof that 58039 and 58049 ever carried the Toton depot plaque while the locos were painted in the Trainload Coal / triple grey / Mainline freight liveries. If anyone can help with this appeal we would be most grateful, especially if photographs could be provided as proof!



News Report Special: 58005 moves from Leicester!
Posted 11 July 2006