The Class 58 Locomotive Group- Preserving the legacy of the Class 58

HISTORY

British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL) built 50 Class 58s in 1983-87 to a modular design aimed at the export market. For much of their career they were based at Toton depot near Nottingham and deployed on merry-go-round coal trains between East Midlands collieries and power stations. In 1994, the fleet transferred to Mainline Freight and quickly expanded its range across the south-east of England and to a more diverse range of freight traffic. In 1996, the fleet was absorbed by EWS and although it was expected to form a key part of the company long-term plans, withdrawal took place between 1999 and 2002. EWS and its successors exported many to France, Spain and the Netherlands for further use.