Rolling Stone

Overview

Whatley Quarry’s class 59 locomotive fleet filmed in 1992 when the four locomotives had just entered service with ARC Ltd. Part 1 Whatley Quarry rail development The quarrying operation The Class 59 purchase decision The loco‘s specification Construction by General Motors in Canada Delivery Namings Maintenance Cab controls The class 59 revolutionised the stone carrying business. Just one locomotive can haul a train weighing in excess of 4000 tons. Part 2 Road test from Whatley to Westbury Former BR Traction Inspector Chris Crompton and former ARC Rail Traffic Controller Rob Jacob ride aboard loco 59102 with a fully laden stone train. They provide a ‘live’ running commentary on the performance of the loco along with a Driver’s eye view of both the privately owned Whatley branch and the former BR main line. Finally, we see the train’s arrival and unloading at Theale Distribution Depot in Berkshire.