59003 released from Eastleigh Works

[RedPostJunc]

According to RTT, 59003 was part of 0Z36 1433 Eastleigh Works Gbrf to Willesden Eurotermnal Gbrf yesterday, (operated with 66796 + 66306 + 66309 + 59003)

In the thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-59-59003-any-developments.245880/ there is speculation that 59003 is lined up for use as part of East Coast freight ETCS trials.
Has this equipment now been fitted?

 

[158798]

According to RTT, 59003 was part of 0Z36 1433 Eastleigh Works Gbrf to Willesden Eurotermnal Gbrf yesterday, (operated with 66796 + 66306 + 66309 + 59003)

In the thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-59-59003-any-developments.245880/ there is speculation that 59003 is lined up for use as part of East Coast freight ETCS trials.
Has this equipment now been fitted?

59003 and 66309 weren’t part of the original consist from Eastleigh, although there’s a chance they tagged on at Wembley (?)

 

[156444]

59003 and 66309 weren’t part of the original consist from Eastleigh, although there’s a chance they tagged on at Wembley (?)

This picture on Flickr suggests both were still at Eastleigh at some point today: https://flic.kr/p/2p4jL5U

 

[RedPostJunc]

Thanks for the update. So, it looks like 59003 and 66309 never made it onto 0Z36, although a TOPS listing for 0500 today shows both at Willesden.
From what I know of RTT, it occasionally shows what was planned to form the consist, so any amendments are not accurately reflected. However, TOPS would need to be updated to show the correct location of 59003 and 66309.

I have checked RTT and there is no indication of any movement between Willesden and Eastleigh Works, which removes the possibility that they were returned today.

 

[fgwrich]

This picture on Flickr suggests both were still at Eastleigh at some point today: https://flic.kr/p/2p4jL5U

Yes and No. 59003 did move out from the works today, but it has currently been parked on one of the Yard roads opposite the station. This evening it had 2 Freightliner 66s for company (parked on the next road along). Not sure about the 66 as I wasn't looking for it from my passing 444.

It is likely that either by now, or at some point tomorrow morning, it'll be moved up into the East Yard. Where it goes from there remains to be seen.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Sep 2023 ==

I can confirm both are still in Eastleigh as of 16:00 - the 59 now has a pair of Colas 70s for company while 309 is still out in the East Yard with another GB shed and 69001.

 

[D365]

Has this equipment now been fitted?

Class 59 is lower down the pecking order. To the best of my knowledge, Class 66, 67 are first in line for Freight FiC (first-in-class) fitments, with Class 88, 92, 325 thereafter [in no particular order].

 

[Class15]

59003 is now back in service!

 

[RedPostJunc]

59003 is now back in service!

It seems to be locked into the CE workings between Eastleigh and Westbury 6O41/6V41/6O31/6V31

 

[Rick1984]

Why do GBRf have a single class 59 and what do they use it for?

 

[Western Sunset]

As noted above, largely engineering trains between Westbury and Eastleigh. Has been back in service for a couple of weeks.

 

[ac6000cw]

Why do GBRf have a single class 59

It's ex-HHPI in Germany (moved there in 1997 from the UK). GBRf took the opportunity to buy it in 2014 when HHPI no longer needed it.

 

[Rick1984]

Cheers

 

[ExRes]

Not exactly as described in the thread title but almost .......

Reported on WNXX today that 59003 is currently undergoing preparations at Eastleigh for export, again



** Updated 16th May - WNXX report that 003 is ' Apparently ' off to Scandinavia