Review: EFE Rail Class 58 58039 EWS Livery Diesel Locomotive (Weathered Edition) EFR-E84008

I've had my eye on the Class 58s from EFE Rail for some time and with many of these models being heavily discounted, I felt the time was right to pick you up and put it through it's paces. It's time to take a closer look.
00:00 - Introduction
01:05 - Unboxing
08:11 - Adding TXS DCC Sound
09:47 - Close-up Views
11:52 - Running Session
14:21 - Summary
16:06 - Scoring
19:12 - Recommendation
Link to running session with full volume sound: • EFE Rail Class 58 EWS ...

[@colwichjunction3366]

Great review video, this is a loco that’s been on my radar for sometime. Since buying a Cavalex 56 I’ve now assembled a decent rake of HAA coal hoppers, so naturally it give an excuse for a 58! Your review is well balanced as per usual & looking at EFEs offering here I wouldn’t be expecting Accurascale level of detail, but saying that it still looks a fine model. Looking at photos the real life 58s had a fairly hard life, so more weathering could easily be added to bring out even more of the detail. Definitely on my shopping list! Thanks for posting another useful review Eugene Cheers John b😎

[@EuviRail]

Thanks John and best of luck with your purchase. There is certain "industrial" look to the Class 58 that I've always liked which is why I went for it.

[@hotdogpilot6319]

That's a very fair review of the "bone". Likewise, we didn't have any issues with ours and it continues to perform very well.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing.

[@BritishRail60062]

I think I will get the Coal Sector version of this model. I remember seeing the real things roaring through Barnetby and Nottingham back in the 1990's. If you have ever been to Barnetby during those times. You would see 37's, 47's, 56;s, 58's and 60's all on various trains. The sound of a Class 56 going full power under a heavy train is a sight and sound never to be forgotten. The rumble and growl to that deafening turbo scream at full power was just awesome. I couldn't hear for a few mins after but I loved those days! Thanks for the video Eugene, it is appreciated mate. Peter.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter. I like the Coal Sector and Railfreight liveries as well. It sounds you have first hand memories of those glory days of diesel I was referring to, in which case you've got to go for it! I was originally put off by the expected cost of adding sound but a TXS decoder with the Class 56 profile thankfully addressed that.

[@MrGrunter0]

There is something about the little "hump" in the track that I really enjoy. Adds that extra realism as we all know the tracks are never perfectly flat. I've had many a rough ride where I've nearly been thrown out of my chair!

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, the hump is there due to a previous scenic element that I took out. I was originally tempted to swap out the track and remove it but it's grown on me for the reason you say, and is an extra test for any locos or rolling stock.

[@Mapplewell_Park]

My layout has developed a small hump since the room the layout is in got to 40 degrees in the recent hot weather, and the baseboard warped slightly at a join 😖

[@EuviRail]

@@Mapplewell_Park More authentic then I guess - unless it's in middle of a platform or engine shed or the like 😢😢

[@Mapplewell_Park]

Luckily not. But well ballasted in so not a lot I can do about it anyway 🤷‍♂️!!

[@Mapplewell_Park]

I might actually name it….. Mount Mapplewell!!!!

[@AllensTrains]

This is a more sensible addition to the fleet than the "Railroad offering" you reviewed earlier! It is good to see twin flywheels and both bogies driven. But against that is the price! Although of course, the Railroad range is cheaper the deficiency of the Lima tradition is all too obvious to the discerning collector like you! I like the colour of this model and currently have no loco in this livery, so this has been a helpful review for me. Thanks for uploading.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, there is no comparison in terms of the motor and drive system for this versus any Railroad offering. The original RRPs on these didn't make sense but around the £110-£120 mark I think it's a different story. Glad the video was of use. I suspect a lot of folks have been sitting on the fence with regard to these locos much as I had been.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

I would agree with you. These EFE Class 58's run well and nicely discounted. I will have to add Hornby TXS Sound Decoder's to both of my model's

[@alanrobertson9790]

The 58 is ex-Heljan but a pretty good model. I like it that EFE bring older models from other manufacturers back onto the market.

[@brianfearn4246]

I have the Heljan ML blue version which i purchased from hattons back in 2011 for around £50 and it's been a fabulous runner i also discovered when the body has been removed you can carefully ease the hole buffer beams away from the chassis which are held in place by three plastic pins this will eliminate detail problems if you wish to fit couplers and don't mind not having visible buffers while pulling a rake.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Brian, thanks for sharing you experience.

[@brianfearn4246]

@@EuviRail many thanks Eu,

[@brianfearn4246]

Great review as always, those railings are alternative cab handrails as in the heljan version. I believe the handrails with the internal guards were added to prevent the crews from walking along the edge of the chassis for safety reasons. Many thanks.

[@clivengauge]

Very good review looks like a nice model very informative thanks for sharing 👍

[@davewells9242]

Just fitted out my class 58 with the same Hornby sound decoder as you. I did make one extra change though. I noticed that you cannot turn off the tail lights when you are hauling a rake of wagons. So on the loco pcb I cut the white wire on plug J2 and connected the mauve function wire from the decoder to the end going to the led box. I can now turn the rear lights on and off with function 22 on my NCE Cab. BTW I also fitted a 20X20X7MM MEGABASS 'MINI' DCC SOUND SPEAKER from roads and rails.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing Dave. I like those particular speakers. They're definitely an improvement on a sugar cube IMHO.

[@SimonWitt]

I have been eyeing up one of the coal sector 58s since they were released but the price at the time was a bit steep (as are a lot of the EFE models on release tbh). Now that they're being offered at a more reasonable price considering it's not super detailed and doesn't have cab lighting it might be time to have a look around for one again. I was never one to look twice at a 58 in real life, but for some reason the class in 00 gauge has a lot of charm that appeals to me and the coal sector livery I think suits it down to the ground. Great review once again

[@euviga]

Thanks Simon. I was probably in the same boat myself with this class and this model. I'm pleased with the model and very pleased with how the Class 56 TXS profile worked out with it. Definitely worth shopping around to get the best price on your livery of choice. I've seen some decent prices for the coal sector version.

[@lucysblade]

You have an uncanny talent for reviewing trains that I’m interested in. I have been eying up this exact model to pull my collection of China Clay hoppers….yes, I’m Cornish. Your review has sold me.

[@EuviRail]

Glad to hear it was of use. I sat on the fence on this one myself and it was the potential of having low cost sound that pushed me over the edge. I guessed that folks have been watching the prices drop on these but needed a reason to either forget about them or go for it, hence a review was in order. I love those clay hoppers so best of luck with the new purchase.

[@lucysblade]

Bought it…very pleased. You are my go to reviewer.

[@EuviRail]

@@lucysblade Excellent! Glad the model has worked out for you.

[@Mapplewell_Park]

Great looking model. I always think weathering makes the models look better. Always amazes me how big you make your layout look. My own layout is 9x5 will have to take something away from your videos to improve my own 👍. Richie

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. A layout video is coming.

[@Mapplewell_Park]

@@EuviRail feel free to cast your eye over mine 👍

[@Simon-Davis]

Thats a nicely balanced review of what is now quite an aged model. These have been around for a very long time, perhaps as long as the first release of Bachmann class 47s, so really that is the direct comparison. I think my only bugbears are with the snap-fit together chassis which makes maintenance a bit of a chore, my original Heljan 58s have had to have a few replacement keeper plates because they're so user unfriendly as they get older and need some TLC. This also relates to the clip on fuel tanks, which again as the models age and the plastic brittles they start to work loose and eventually the lugs can break. I have the EFE coal sector class 58 and even that ones fuel tanks are already damaged and held together with tacky wax after dismantling for sound fitting. The TXS class 56 sound in a 58 sounds really odd by the way, 58s had a different silencer arrangement...as in they had them! 56s were wonderful loud beasts which rattled your teeth out from quarter of a mile off whereas unless they were at full chat the 58s were rather muted. Like you say, hopefully Hornby address that, but given its been 20 years since a class 58 ran in anger in the UK its unlikely we'll ever get a good recording of one being worked hard. Legomanbiffo has a very good lightly loaded class 58 sound, but its missing the hard worked turbo scream, as can be heard in a clip I posted a while ago.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing. You raise a very valid point in terms of the challenges in getting good sound samples for older locos like these, and particularly for locos that haven't been that popular from a preservation perspective. I don't believe Hornby ever produced a sound equipped 58 so the likelihood of seeing a 58 TXS profile would appear to be minimal.

[@vivianhughes9347]

A good thorough review as always, thanks Eugene. I like the light weathering as you can always add a bit more. Sometimes I find factory weathered locos can have too much applied - sometimes quite badly! - and it's a devil of a job to remove. So much easier top up a bit to suit personal preferences. So just the bogies, underframe and roof is perfect for me. Based on your review I think I'll order an original Railfreight one, to go with my one and only Heljan triple grey one. I wonder, is this in fact the old Heljan model now re-badged? Anyway, thanks again. Keep up the good work - your videos are always well presented, very informative and much appreciated.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Vivian, thanks for that. It's based on the Heljan tooling alright but I'm not sure of the origin of the drive mechanism (which is good).

[@jonathanmillar1975]

I have two EFE class 143/144 pacer models and very please with them. The level of detail is more then adequate for my needs. I have the Heljan version of this model which is a good runner. As someone suggested above is this the same model.

[@EuviRail]

Yes, these are based on the (old) Heljan model. I would see them as a decent mid range model though they weren't priced as such originally which led to very poor sales initially. Bachmann would appear to have lost their pricing compass over the years and my Class 70 review will be another case in point. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathanmillar1975]

Just received my Colas Class 70 a couple off weeks ago. Decent runner but don't think it was worth the £212 I paid for it. Want that version so gave in and paid the money. It is DC only not made the move too DCC. I have too many locomotives over 70 and multiple units getting on for 50+. Would cost me thousands to convert. The Bachmann Class 66 feels a much better model. That has to be one of my top 3 models. The best by a long way is the Dapol Class 68 and price is good as well. Got my Class 88's ordered. Happy to pay £150 to around £200 for a good high detailed diesel but more then that and struggle to justify. Usually wait to see if discounted and then end up missing out as sold out.

[@EuviRail]

@@jonathanmillar1975 I'm with you Jonathon on the Class 70.

[@davewells9242]

Just purchased 58039 from Kernow Model Rail Centre for the princely sum of £99.99. Where did you fit the speaker is it under the piece of tape to the right of the 8 pin socket?

[@euviga]

Hi Dave, that's a super price so well done. I fitted the speaker to the right of the socket alright. The body shell is narrower than for most locos so this does limit the speaker size.

[@chefblanc]

I have a couple of these and I like them. But can see sooner or later one of the big guys will be announcing and all singing /dancing upgrade.. who will it be?

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, this design has been around for a long time now.

[@Shauniboy1984]

Great review as ever sir - EFE is usually ancient junk with minimal updates by Bachmann, steam or diesel. Id certainly take each model case by case, it being a single brand is very missleading. Cheers Shaun

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Shaun. Yeah, this one is based on Heljan tooling hence the lack of cab lights but it works for a given price range. I realised it was a bit of punt buying this but it was worth it in the end. It's a bit of a mixed bag as you say. Not sure where Bachmann are going with this brand as the RRPs were crazy for what is more a mid range model.

[@Shauniboy1984]

@@EuviRail I think this looks like the pick of the EFE bunch actually, so this should help consumers at least buy one offering with confidence

[@tracydavis4471]

I found this a good DC Runner so I decided fit a DCC chip. I was told by my two local shops it was 4 clips and the body comes off as easy as a Lima class 50. How wrong I was.After 3 attempts at my club we found what is supposed to be a new model double sided tape was on both ends and under the cab as well also holding all internal electrics.This resulted in ten detailing parts and 1buffer beam and 2 buffers coming off trying with various tools to remove the body. Not impressed. And the irony is, after removing all the excess tape the body clipped back on as it was designed to do. Now I have to replace the parts that came off.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Tracy, sorry you had such grief. I found the body removal tight due to the slimming of the body in the middle but I didn't experience the same issue. Thanks for sharing as a warning to others.

[@jamtart606]

Been thinking about getting one of these, the prices on ROS are quite tempting, just wish the Railfreight one wasn't £150 as that for me looks the best of the lot!

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, £150 is still on the high side. I've seen them cheaper but that livery is the most popular so tends to sell out at the lower price.