Like the prototype, Revolution’s Class 59/1 and Class 59/2 locomotives are arriving a little after the pioneer Class 59/0 versions blazed a trail…
We expect to receive these models very shortly, and, as with the Class 59/0 models, will send them to fully pre-paid customers first. We will process balance payment requests as quickly as we can for other pre-order customers but rationalising these orders and processing them takes more time and we are always grateful for our customers’ patience as we work through them.
59/1 and 59/2 – what’s the difference?
The Class 59/1 locomotives were built for ARC Southern (then Hanson and now Heidelberg Materials) in 1990, while the Class 59/2 locomotives were ordered in the mid-90s by National Power and then sold to EWS, which became DB, and then Freightliner.
Superficially the locomotives do look similar, differing from the Class 59/0s by having the then-new BMAC standard light clusters. However the design evolved over time, and the main differences were in the roof and the underframe. The 59/2s, designed to carry coal into power stations, had frame mounted fire suppression cylinders and updated cooling tubes which are plainly visible on most images. Five of the six Class 59/2s also had two handles on each cab door.
Less obvious – but equally important to us! – are the roof differences in positioning of the radio pods and arrangement of catches on the access panels.
As with the Class 59/0, we also have a limited supply of ESU E24 Lokpilot nano decoders pre-configured for this model to enable customers who do not wish to have sound to enjoy the full lighting functionality.
Kernow will also be receiving their exclusive models of 59101 in ARC revised livery, and Rainbow Railways will also be getting their ‘First and Last’ National Power twin packs featuring 59201 and 59206.
Kernow have already received stocks of their exclusive model of 59002 in Mendip Rail livery, while Rails also have both original Europorte and current GB railfreight branded versions of 59003.
We’ve also received some more decorated samples of our upcoming Class 66, and these will form the subject of a post over the weekend as a reminder that the Class 66 pre-order deadline is looming, though we won’t close it fully until everyone has had a chance to select their Revolution Bespoke choices.