Class 58 Locomotive Group restarts work on 58016 revival
THE CLASS 58 Locomotive Group has announced that work on the restoration of 58016 has restarted at UK Rail Leasing’s site at Leicester, where the locomotive has been based since moving from its previous home base at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in December 2015.
The Class 58 was originally preserved in 2010 and work on its revival began immediately after it was delivered to Barrow Hill. However, for various reasons its restoration stalled and despite the group still being active, work on its reactivation of 58016 has only recently begun again.
Initial work has been concentrated on locating, cleaning and refitting components which were removed from the Class 58, while other parts will be overhauled before being refitted to the locomotive.
C58LG publicity officer Kieran Fallows is also an employee of UKRL and is currently leading work on the locomotive. Initial work over the past few weeks has mainly concentrated on the refurbishment of components and the rebuilding of the electrical cubicle.
Mr Fallows told Railways Illustrated that the locomotive is in generally good condition and largely complete, with much work on its restoration carried out prior to work on its rebuild being paused. He explained that while there is no target date set for completion of the restoration, he was hopeful that it may be possible to get 58016 restarted during 2024. The rebuilding has been assisted from the acquisition of a quantity of spares. All of the components that are currently missing from the Class 58 have been traced and efforts are currently underway to get them refitted. The cooler group has been rebuilt and there is some engine room work still outstanding. The cabs are both in reasonable condition, but some reassembly work is required as part of the project.
The locomotive is currently stored outside at Leicester and Mr Fallows said it was hoped that the Class 58 would be able to be moved inside the depot on occasions to allow work to be progressed as and when UKRL can allocate it some space.
After withdrawal by English Welsh and Scottish Railway, 58016 was one of a number of Class 58s to be reactivated for use by Fertis in France, in connection with the construction of a high-speed railway line. The locomotive spent just over a year in service with Fertis between May 2005 and May 2006, when it was returned to the UK. After a period in store, it was offered for sale in April 2010 and became the first member of the type to be secured for preservation. Further information about the C58LG, the restoration of 58016, and membership details can be found at https://class58loco.group