The new CJM Class 58 - due mid 2008
Originally introduced into service in 1982 and designed for heavy freight haulage. This Co-Co design locomotive built by British Rail Engineering Ltd followed the American modular design principles, this offered savings on construction and maintenance compared to previous locomotive builds.
Since they were introduced, the 58s have gone about their duties quite happily. Mainly concerned with the Midlands MGR coal traffic, they would be just as at home working other services – Freightliners, Speedlinks, steel, automotive traffic, enterprise and even the occasional passenger rail tour service.
Introduce in Rail freight grey livery, the class 58 has also been seen in Coal Sector, EW&S and Mainline liveries. The CJM version will reflect this being available in all four liveries and 2 variants. Examples of these liveries can be seen below with images kindly provided by Pauline McKenna
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| Class 58 No 58043 Doncaster Works 6th July 1986 - Photo taken by Pauline McKenna | Class 58 No 58041 "Ratcliffe Power Station" - Toton 6th June 1987 - Photo taken by Pauline McKenna |
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| Class 58 No 58039 "Rugeley Power Station" - Drax - 1st Aug 1993 - Photo Taken by Pauline McKenna | Class 58 No 58016 - Drax 2nd May 1997 - Photo taken by Pauline McKenna |
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| Class 58 No 58035 Drax 20th May 1998 - Photo taken by Pauline McKenna | Class 58 No 58023 "Peterborough Depot" Drax 22nd 1997 - Photo taken by Pauline McKenna |
The Class 58 with all its various liveries over the years, lends it's self for an opportunity to own a truly unique model with the usual CJM stunning levels of detail, craftsmanship, finish and of course the silky smooth running of the latest generation of the Saturn Chassis. Some examples of livery variations can be seen below for the Railfreight livery.
The ‘Railfreight’ livery in detail… (Info from www.C58lg.co.uk)
Standard ‘aircraft grey’ body ; red underframe; Wrap around yellow cabs; wrap around black window frames; large black running number on cab driver’s side; large Railfreight logo on cab second man’s side; large white body side BR ‘Double Arrow’ and white cantrail stripe.
All handrails were white except the cab front handrails which were yellow.
Detailed notes/differences:
All fifty Class 58 locomotives carried this livery from new with the following variations:
58004 had white handrails on the cab fronts and was missing one Railfreight logo at No.1 end only from new. This was never applied retrospectively.
58020 when named “Doncaster Works BRE” the cab side Railfreight logo was moved to a higher position to allow for the nameplate which sat immediately below it.
58020 when this locomotive was renamed “Doncaster Works” it had a Railfreight cast plate applied to the front of the cab in the style above losing its Railfreight side logo.
58034 when named ”Bassetlaw” the cab side Railfreight Logo was positioned at the bottom of the cab to allow for the nameplate and crest which sat above it.
58035 to 58050 had an orange cantrail stripe which extended onto the cab sides and all the way around the front of the cab.
58039, 58040, 58041, 58042 and 58050 all emerged from new in the standard livery with orange cantrail stripe (see description above) but were given small cast Railfreight plates fitted to the front ends when they received their nameplates. The cab side Railfreight logos were removed.
58049 when this loco was named “Littleton Colliery” the cab side Railfreight logo was removed. However, cast Railfreight plates were never fitted to the loco’s front ends.
A number of locos had small black rabbits painted onto them unofficially at Toton. These were painted next to the data panels. 58002 and 58004 amongst others were locomotives that were treated in this manner.
CJM Class 58 Development Update - 10/2/2008
Work on the class 58 is proceeding well with body shell now complete with bonnet, cabs and sole bar in place. Work has now started on adding detail, e.g. roof panels, side doors etc. These will all be etched and then added to master. It is hoped to start the drawings for these this week. Over the weekend the fly wheel chassis has been installed in the body and with minute adjustments to both has resulted in a neat snug fit.
Over the last week, several of you have asked "How "scale" is this model going to be?" I am pleased to be able to report that in respect of all main dimensions e.g. length, width, height and bonnet width the model is currently under size! Once the final detail panels, silencer etc are included the model should be spot on! This also goes for bogie and axle centres. All this accuracy and twin fly wheel drive shoe horned into a chassis which at its widest is just under 11mm. It also fair to say that having measured and photographed 58016 last autumn I picked up the details missed by the "OO" fraternity and more than one or two missed in the reviews!
Whilst no photos are being posted at present, I anticipate putting these up once all etch drawings have been reduced and test fitted on the master. Not long then, before the class 58 breaks cover!