Revolution reveals 'N' Class 59

Revolution reveals 'N' Class 59

The Class 59 heavy freight Electro-Motive Diesel built Co-Cos are the latest ready-to-run 'N' gauge model to be revealed by Revolution Trains. The first samples of the model are expected in September.

The first of the class entered service in 1986 making history as the first privately owned main line locomotives to run on the British railway network. Foster Yeoman was the first to employ the design, with a total of five locomotive being ordered (59001-59005), with further batches built for ARC in 1990 (59101-59104) and later National Power four years later (59201-59206). This lead to three distinct sub-classes - the 59/0 (Yeoman), 59/1 (ARC) and 59/2 (National Power).

The Class 59s were designed with power and reliability as a priority and were initially found working heavy stone trains from the Mendip quarries for Yeoman and ARC. The National Power examples were used with dedicated hoppers on coal traffic.

More recently the Class 59s have transferred to new operators including Hanson, Freightliner Genesee and Wyoming, GBRf and DB Cargo UK.

"The Class 59 is the perfect accompaniment to our HOA hoppers and JNA box wagons," said Revolution Trains co-director Mike Hale, "and is the obvious choice for our next locomotive model. We're working hard to ensure it's an even better model than the Class 92."

"We have been working on this model for some considerable time, and with the Class 59s having performed with staggering reliability over the last four decades, it is time a high quality mass market model was available to 'N' gauge enthusiasts."

Revolution has already completed CAD drawing work for its all-new Class 59 and expects the first samples in time for the International N Gauge Show in September. The tooling has been designed to cater for detail differences between the classes including GBRf's 59003 with its unique centre marker light above the windscreen. Licenses have been secured to allow the model to be produced in all liveries including the latest colour schemes.

The specification for the Class 59 caters for detail differences, switchable directional lights, low-friction pick ups, NEM coupling pockets, etched roof and side grilles, a factory fitted speaker in the fuel tank and a powerful drivetrain. Detail variations include exhaust position, bogie dampers, NRN roof pods, cab handrail recesses, roof hatches, lashing loops, fire extinguishers on the Class 59/2s, and the commemorative bell at one end only on models of 59001 and 59201.

From the factory Revolution has said that its Class 59s will come with one bufferbeam fully detailed, including full air dam with an alternative slotted type included should couplings at both ends be required. The centre roof section will also be removable to allow for DCC decoder installation into the Next18 socket provided.

Standard production models from Revolution Trains will model the class throughout its career in liveries from Foster Yeoman silver of 1986 through to the latest Genesee and Wyoming orange and black (see table below).

In addition to its standard releases (see table below), Revolution is producing exclusive models for Rails of Sheffield of GBRf's 59003 in both original GBRf livery with red/blue circular arcs on the bodyside and the revised GBRf livery with squared off bodyside blue panels. Revolution has also stated that these will feature the modifications made to 59003 during its time in mainland Europe. In addition, Rainbow Railways has commissioned a 'First and Last' twin pack of Class 59/2s containing 59201 and 59206 in mid-1990s National Power blue and pale grey livery.

The Revolution Trains Class 59s are available to pre-order for a short period at an earlybird price of £114.95 including free postage. The price will increase to the standard pre-order price of £124.95 after a short period while the retail price after production will be £150 for DCC ready models and £250 for DCC sound-fitted versions.