Class 58 on Ballast Train

[@ZetanCrisp]

Superb film, thanks! Wish there was more 58 footage like this, where you could hear the power unit clearly. Sounded like this one needed a good service :( !

[@andersley]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I agree, the 58's are sadly missed. We should be still using them - if they are good enough for work abroad, they could do the same here.

[@Sandervg14]

Very nice vid. We also have these locomotives in the Netherlands. *5

[@matthewpeter]

I used to see the occasional one on the Addlestone Branch on freight trains. Not as common as the 47s and 56s we used to see. But yeah, at Eastleigh you can see them from the train if your on your way to Bournemouth. Literally row upon row of them, some in real good shape, others getting tired cosmetically.

[@andersley]

@Cazkumali - It is a ballast brake and placed in the centre to spread ballast either way

[@Class60Group]

Excellent very nice

[@andersley]

From my house on a sunday I heard the train and as we did not have any sunday service, went to investigate! The only 58 I caught on video.

[@andersley]

Thank you for the explanation. Thought there must be a good reason for the sound. :)

[@matthewpeter]

theres like Gazillion stored in Eastleigh yard, literally all of them that haven't been sent abroad I think, none of the class to date have been scrapped.

[@MrJezza31]

fantastic

[@andersley]

I absolutely agree. A criminal waste of assets. Crews say they were very reliable and powerful.

[@nov3019892008]

There are some in the UK but most have been dismantled by EWS.

[@01276]

well with EWS due to release them for sale this year could be seeing aftew used on charters etc over next few years ;)

[@Cazkumali]

what a beast these trains are

[@andersley]

As we did not have trains on a Sunday, as soon as I heard it I grabbed cameras and headed trackside. (Only a few minutes from my house).

[@andersley]

Thank you. Yes, that is the only place they are working now unfortunately.

[@Cazkumali]

@andersley I wonder why the break van is in the middle of the trucks

[@Cazkumali]

@andersley I wonder where these locos are now

[@matthewpeter]

no sorry never heard of that line. I do miss the old diesels. Now its 66 this and 66 that.

[@andersley]

@Cazkumali Several are in France working ballast trains on new High Speed Lines (TGV routes)

[@andersley]

thanks mate :)

[@boomheadshot75]

excellent locos, seemed ludicrous that EWS disposed of em, i mean if they can use them abroad why not here

[@cmeonthemove]

What's all the clicking?

[@Cazkumali]

@andersley I wonder what MGR stands for

[@andersley]

some drivers I know, say the 66's are noisy, vibrate a lot, leak water around windows, seats fall apart, rust in various places, etc. so even the 'modern' locos leave a lot to be desired. ;-)

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Yes, as a driver of 66s on a daily basis, they are exactly as you say. After a long shift they give you a headache, the seats aren't the best, & they rattle & vibrate like nothing else! Such a relief when I get to work a 60 or 73. Saying that though, the 66s are a very capable loco & tbh are abused on traffic that other locos would have given up on! I'll soon be signing the class 69s which will be interesting as it's been 20 years since I last drove a 56! Would love the 58s to come back though, which could happen soon as 25 - 30 locos 'could' return to traffic, with the rest available being used as a source of spares. Watch this space.

[@andersley]

Dunno, must be a compressor or something on the loco.

[@andersley]

@Cazkumali Merry-Go-Round Non-stop coal loading and unloading on a circuit between mine and power station

[@dannutman9918]

most of them went to Spain I believe

[@andersley]

@neilox1962 - pleased you found one so close :)

[@andersley]

When EWS got all the class 66's they decided they did not need any older stuff, like 58's and 56's. They reluctantly kept the 60's as they are the only ones capable of pulling really heavy trains, like the Immingham-Scunthorpe iron ores, and some heavy tank trains. Seems such a waste, as the 56 and 58 classes performed well in France and Spain.

[@beeble2003]

Well, presumably, they don't have the traffic to use them on here. They could make more profit running their business with class 66s than with class 58s, so they did that. And they use them abroad because making some profit using the class 58s there is better than making no profit at all by not running the service.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Of course, EWS have way more 66s than they really need, hence Euro Cargo Rail, which according to my conspiracy theory was set up purely as a way of making some use of them. I think old Ed made an error in ordering so many. Meanwhile, they hold onto all the 58s they don't need, just so that no one else can get hold of them. Sometimes, I think they're the reincarnation of BR of old.

[@pistonbroke0461]

BONE!!!

[@01276]

not a comfy as a 66 though, rather drafty and bumpy

[@justinobrien9164]

I never liked the 58s they remind me of a double headed class 20 but nowhere near as good and they was SOON scrapped and was only built in 1982 and had a very short life before they were scrapped!!!