General Motors’ first influence on the UK Network, the Class 59’s started as a small fleet of locomotives operated by private aggregate companies unsatisfied by the unreliable nature of British designs. This small but incredibly powerful fleet of locomotives have since paved the way for the Class 66, currently the UK’s standard freight locomotive.
An interesting turn up for the books, as Hanson liveried Class 59, 59103 ‘Village of Mells’, occupies the centre road at Swindon with a light engine movement from Appleford Sidings near Didcot to Whatley Quarry. (07/07/2015)
Seen stopping briefly at Westbury with a rake of loaded Stone Hoppers is Hanson liveried Class 59, 59101 ‘Village of Whately’, hauling a service from Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock via Acton in West London and the North London Line/Barking to Gospel Oak Line. (06/07/2015)