Dapol's newly tooled range of N Gauge Class 59 locomotives are now in stock and available to order!
This comprehensive range of models covers the as-built 59/0 subtype as well as the later 59/1 and 59/2 variations in all manner of different liveries across the lifespan of these intrepid locomotives - including Foster Yeoman, ARC, National Power, EWS, DB Cargo, Hanson and Aggregate Indsutries colour schemes.
Also available exclusively at Rails is a bang up-to-date Freightliner G&W orange/ black liveried model of 59206! This model has now been reduced by up to 25% off the RRP, only while stocks last.
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Exclusive to Rails
General Range - In Stock Now
Product Features:
Smooth running 5 pole next generation motor
All wheel pickup, all-wheel drive via re-worked smooth drive low maintenance mechanism
Die-cast chassis
DCC Sound ready, Next-18 decoder socket (recommended 6 function decoder)
Independent directional front/rear main lighting control
Switchable day/night lights (DC & DCC)
Main lamp and cab lighting override switches for DC users (Independent front/rear control)
Removable self-centring close coupling mechanism with NEM pockets
RP 25 wheels
Accessory bag with etched nameplates and detailed buffer beam fittings
Clip-fit body for easy DCC fitting
All Factory fitted DCC Locomotives will be fitted with Dapol’s Imperium Next 18 decoder All Factory Sound fitted models will be fitted with a Zimo Decoder and prototypical sound recording
Prototype Information
Designed and constructed by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1995, the small fleet of 15 Class 59s were the first ever privately owned diesel locomotives and the first US-built diesels to regularly operate on the mainline.
The Class 59s originated with Foster Yeoman. Their Torr Works quarry in Somerset had a huge output, with trains diagrammed for Class 56s in the early 1980s. Unimpressed with the reliability and late running of the BR diesels and being impressed by their EMD SW1001 shunter - Foster Yeoman made the decision to invite EMD to tender for the delivery of six mainline diesel locomotives - to replace those supplied by British Rail.
EMD based the design for the Class 59 on their SD40-2 with ‘Super Series’ creep control, which would allow the class to haul Foster Yeoman’s heaviest aggregate trains without the need for double heading. They were built to fit the British loading gauge and featured British braking and safety systems. They also included a cab that was similar in layout to the Class 58 - to allow drivers to familiarise themselves more easily with the controls.
Noticing the success of the design, Foster Yeoman’s rival ARC Southern ordered a revised version in the form of the Class 59/1 with four being delivered. A further six to a second subclass design - the 59/2 - were constructed for National Power.
Foster Yeoman and ARC merged their interests into Mendip Rail later in the 1990s, combining the fleets of 59s and the National Power examples ended up with EWS.
These pioneering diesels led on to the development of the hugely successful Class 66, which has been produced in huge numbers - not just for the UK but all over Europe too.
The Class 59s still soldier on today, plying their trade on aggregates traffic and other freight workings. As of 2024, the entirety of the fleet is under the control of Freightliner, aside from one example which belongs to GB Railfreight.
Our exclusive model recreates one of the 59/2 subclass - 59206 ‘John F Yeoman’ in the latest Freightliner (Genessee and Wyoming) orange and black colour scheme. This locomotive was the first dedicated to Freightliner and the first that was outshopped into their striking new colour scheme. This 59 is still used in cooperation with Mendip Rail and is used for the bulk movement of key construction materials.