59/2 – National Power first and last twin pack

Description

A twin pack of N gauge models of a 59/2 in National Power livery available exclusively from Rainbow Railways – the first and last 59/2s (59201 and 59206) in an attractive presentation box.

By the early 1990s, National Power had ordered a single 59 to run on their coal and limestone delivery trains to their power stations – 59201 arrived in early 1994 followed by 5 more 59/2s in mid-1995.  The 59/2s continued to see more variations from the 59/0s and 59/1s that they were derived from with changes to many details (see below) – the 59/2s retained the 59/1 style of headlights, but there were changes to the chassis/solebars.

The 59/2s were all delivered in National Power’s striking blue livery with white, red and light grey stripes.

The 59/2s (like all the 59s) have a large number of detail variations which we have faithfully captured in our model:

• 59201: a bell at the number 1 end only
• All 59/2s: new handrails and door handles
• revised lashing loops on the solebars
• drop head knuckle couplers
• change to the cooling pipes and fire extinguisher arrangements (bright red extinguisher bottles as part of the solebar)
• 59206: supplied with printed Pride of Ferrybridge nameplates and etched nameplates

Our 59s share the following common features:

• Next generation heavy, diecast chassis with smooth running, low friction and low geared design (estimated weight 100+g)
• Highly detailed injection moulded body with photo-etched and wire details and separate plastic parts
• Lift off, easy-access central body section (as per the prototype!) to allow access to the decoder socket and switches
• Prototype body detail variations eg headlight differences, NRN pod locations, cab handrail recesses, cab door handles, roof hatches, exhausts,  and accurate chassis variation including variations in cooler pipes, lashing loops and fire extinguishers
• Separate (not solid) angled struts connecting body to chassis to allow distinctive see-through appearance of prototype
• Buffer beam detailing: one end super-detailed with solid air dam, air pipes and cosmetic coupler all fitted. Alternative solid air dam supplied for coupler end, and open air dam for those wishing to couple at both ends
• Etched name plates
• Working accurate headlights including working marker lights. Lights switchable using easy to access microswitches or with DCC
• Next 18 NEM 652 socket  New and improved Next 28 (ESU E24) decoder socket (see our article for more details) and factory fitted speaker for easy sound fitting
• Fine wheels to NMRA RP25 standards
• Body-mounted, kinematic close couplers with NEM coupler sockets