C58LG members gather for a group photo after the 2003 AGM at the Didcot Railway Centre. Photo: Peter Nicholson
The Class 58 locomotives were conceived in the late 1970s when British Rail explored the design of a new, low-cost, and easily maintainable heavy freight locomotive. This new locomotive was intended to replace the ageing first-generation traction units and manage the anticipated growth in rail freight during the 1980s.
The first locomotive of the class, 58 001, was officially handed over on December 9th 1982, and the delivery of the remaining 49 locomotives continued until March 1987. - All 50 locomotives were constructed at the British Rail Engineering Limited Doncaster Works.
Class 58 locomotives became synonymous with hauling coal traffic throughout the Midlands. However, the arrival of General Motors locomotives towards the end of the 20th century signalled the decline of the Class 58s, and by 2002, all 50 locomotives had been withdrawn from service. Following their withdrawal, most Class 58s found a new lease of life on the continent, operating freight trains in countries such as Holland, Spain, and France.
By 2010, the remaining Class 58 locomotives in the UK faced an uncertain future, with many being heavily stripped for spare parts. On April 19th, 2010, DB Schenker announced the sale of seven Class 58 locomotives, marking the first opportunity to purchase any of these locomotives privately.
From its beginning, the Class 58 Locomotive Group aspired to preserve a Class 58 locomotive. Recognising the sale as an unmissable opportunity, the group embarked on a hectic fundraising and negotiation process, ultimately leading to the successful purchase of locomotive 58 016.
Restoration began on the locomotive at Barrow Hill in Chesterfield. In 2015, the locomotive moved to the UKRL site in Leicester, where more heavy machinery was available to assist in the restoration. A significant number of spare parts have been sourced from other Class 58 locomotives that have since been scrapped, particularly from 58 045, which the C58LG briefly owned.
Please look around our website for more information about the Class 58 Locomotive Group, including the latest news, events and details on becoming a member.
We have attached the Class 58 Group's Constitution (4 pages), confirmed to be up-to-date as of May 2022.