Class 58's stored in France

[yummy125]

Such a shame these 58's can't come back to the UK and work where they belong, Wonder why they did not get overhaul's like the 60's instead of withdrawing them all.

I bet they don't get used again & rust away like the ones at Eastleigh, 58 050 should be saved as this was the last loco to be built at Doncaster so it should have some importance

Thanks to WNXX website:

The ECR depot at Alizay, south of Rouen, was viewed on Monday (29/04/13). In the yard where about 23 Class 58s, in two lines of locomotives. It seems that all the TSO and ETF locos are there now, in store, pending another hire contract

 

[Boothby97]

Well, the only one "safe" is 58050, which is designated by the National Collection. So once DBS dispose of it, then the National Collection will get it, but that may not be any time soon
Thanks, Sam

 

[90019]

Such a shame these 58's can't come back to the UK and work where they belong

Doing what, though?

 

[507 001]

if there isn't enough traffic to keep 100 class 60s in service then surely there isn't enough traffic to keep 50 life expired class 58s going either?

 

[transmanche]

if there isn't enough traffic to keep 100 class 60s in service then surely there isn't enough traffic to keep 50 life expired class 58s going either?

Which makes me wonder why we still see ancient Class 20s trundling round the network...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Which makes me wonder why we still see ancient Class 20s trundling round the network...

Because using 2x 66s (in case of failure) on nuclear flask trains would be inefficient overkill, but no FOC has seen fit to order a new locomotive for such light duties. Maybe the 68s will see some use on the nuke services though... Not to mention that the 20/3s were pretty much rebuilt from the frames up when they were overhauled.

 

[Yew]

Which makes me wonder why we still see ancient Class 20s trundling round the network...

Dont forget the 56's being reactivated

 

[DarloRich]

Doing what, though?

this - there is no work for them
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Which makes me wonder why we still see ancient Class 20s trundling round the network...

route availability? plus using a pair off 66 on a flask train is massive overkill. They are bad enough on rhtt workings

 

[transmanche]

route availability? plus using a pair off 66 on a flask train is massive overkill. They are bad enough on rhtt workings

So, was it a mistake to build so many 130 tonne, 2,500kw locos? And they should have built some lighter[*] 1,500kw locos instead? Something like a modern Class 40?

* Although a pair of 20s is heavier than a 66, the weight is spread over more axles.

 

[ash39]

So, was it a mistake to build so many 130 tonne, 2,500kw locos? And they should have built some lighter[*] 1,500kw locos instead? Something like a modern Class 40?
[/SIZE]

Not a mistake as such, as the work was there for them at the time. I think you have a point about a lighter locomotive, I remember reading in magazines at the time (late 90's) when the 66's were being built, that EWS were looking at 2 new designs to cover other traction requirements. These were the Class 38 which was intended to replace the Class 37 and would have been similar to what you describe but never materialised. The other was a high-speed diesel for mail services, obviously this eventually became the Class 67.

 

[MK Tom]

if there isn't enough traffic to keep 100 class 60s in service then surely there isn't enough traffic to keep 50 life expired class 58s going either?

They certainly weren't life expired when they were withdrawn though.

I'm sure I saw a 58 in the yard between Calais Frethun and Les Fontinettes back in February.

 

[starrymarkb]

The french did seem to love them for LGV construction, when does track laying start on the LGV Alantique and Est extensions?

 

[NSEFAN]

The french did seem to love them for LGV construction, when does track laying start on the LGV Alantique and Est extensions?

IIRC France is building new LGVs until at least 2020, not sure when the construction for this will start, though.

I wonder if we'll see the 58s return here when HS2 construction begins?

 

[Bevan Price]

In retrospect, EWS probably ordered far too many Class 66s, in anticipation of traffic growth. Even after replacing ageing 37s and 47s, EWS found itself with too many locos, and inevitably older locos would be sacrificed rather than newish Class 66s on (presumably) long term hire arrangements. So - a sad farewell to EWS 56s and 58s, and I suspect that even the 60s might have all gone if Class 66s had not struggled on some of the heavier coal, oil & mineral duties over lines with steepish gradients.

 

[Eagle]

And they should have built some lighter[*] 1,500kw locos instead? Something like a modern Class 40?

Isn't that basically what the new DRS 68s are? (Although they pull significantly more than 1500 kW.)

 

[D365]

Well, at least 58s have been exported, albeit not with any batch built with the intention to do such. At least 58050 is always welcomed on our shores!

IIRC France is building new LGVs until at least 2020, not sure when the construction for this will start, though.

I wonder if we'll see the 58s return here when HS2 construction begins?

Isn't HS2 supposed to be [very close to] LGV standard?

In retrospect, EWS probably ordered far too many Class 66s, in anticipation of traffic growth. Even after replacing ageing 37s and 47s, EWS found itself with too many locos, and inevitably older locos would be sacrificed rather than newish Class 66s on (presumably) long term hire arrangements. So - a sad farewell to EWS 56s and 58s, and I suspect that even the 60s might have all gone if Class 66s had not struggled on some of the heavier coal, oil & mineral duties over lines with steepish gradients.

If the railway of the day had gone with the GMD 59 (with subcontracted production to Crewe, instead of what turned out to be the Brush 60), might that entire batch have found continued regular use, with EWS/DBS? Alas, how the politics have changed. Sad farewells indeed, although a number of classic diesels soldier on to this day.