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C58LG response to the announcement regarding 58050

Following the release of the statement in relation to the future of Class 58 diesel locomotive, 58050, the Class 58 Locomotive Group (C58LG) wish to advise the following. 58050 was the last of the fifty Class 58 locomotives constructed, being completed at the famous Doncaster Works ‘Plant’ in March 1987. This locomotive became an important part of railway history, being the last diesel-electric locomotive designed and built by British Rail Engineering (BREL) and the site, which opened in 1853, is earmarked for closure in 2026, bringing an end to 173 years of railway history.

It is because of this fact that the locomotive received its designation by the (then) Railway Heritage Committee (now the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board) in 2002 for preservation as part of the national collection due to its historical significance. As a result, the C58LG has closely followed the operation of 58050 in Europe following its initial withdrawal in the UK on the 5th of August 2002. Exported first to France (17th November 2004 to 26th October 2006) and then into Spain (exported 18th September 2008), the locomotive worked alongside a significant number of its classmates employed by EWS, now DB Cargo, on several Spanish high-speed rail lines in the south of the country.

In 2012, nine of the Class 58 fleet in Spain were transferred to Transfesa ownership whilst DB Cargo retained ownership of just three – 58025, 58027 and 58050. The last known working of a Class 58 in Spain is recorded in 2016 and when the contract ended, Transfesa’s locomotives were put into store at Monforte del Cid, whilst DB Cargo’s locomotives were put into store at Albacete (along with 58041 which failed to move to Monforte). Transfesa scrapped their locos at Monforte del Cid in early 2020 which left just the four Class 58s at Albacete, where they remain to this day.

In 2023, the C58LG approached the RHDAB to confirm whether the designation placed on 58050 was still in place despite the locomotive being out of the UK, and this was confirmed to be the case.

Later that same year, and realising there could be a bleak future ahead of it, the C58LG started looking at the realistic possibility of returning 58050 to the UK for display. In 2024, the C58LG learned that an independent party also were expressing an interest in the locomotives’ repatriation, but we continued to push ahead with researching potential pitfalls and solutions.

In 2025, the C58LG approached the RHDAB and the National Railway Museum with serious proposals to repatriate the locomotive, using the enthusiasm that the Railway 200 events were bringing, as a vehicle to carry this forward. The C58LG offered to undertake an ambitious fundraising drive in order to raise the required funds to ship the locomotive back to the UK so that there would be no cost to the NRM, the RHDAB nor to DB Cargo.

Unfortunately, we have since learnt that due to the presence of asbestos in some of the Class 58 fleet, DB Cargo are unable to sell, transfer or otherwise pass ownership of the locomotive due to the stringent EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulations. In light of these findings, and due to the strict safety and environmental controls that govern the transport and handling of asbestos- containing-materials under such legislation, DB Cargo have concluded that the only safe and legally compliant course of action was to dispose of 58050 in Spain.

Therefore, given the hard work and determination we had shown, admittedly not a lot of this was made public due to the sensitivity of the project at hand, we are extremely disappointed by this outcome and face the reality that the likelihood is that the locomotive is to be scrapped.

As a consequence of DB Cargo’s statement, the RHDAB have announced that the locomotive has been de-designated, having been on the designation list for twenty three years.

The C58LG understands that asbestos is a serious concern not only within the rail industry, but across many sectors. The health risks associated with asbestos exposure are well documented – according to the Health and Safety Executive, asbestos-related diseases are responsible for around 5,000 deaths in the UK each year. We also recognise that the REACH regulations are in place to prevent the reintroduction of such hazardous materials into circulation and to safeguard both workers and the wider public.

DB Cargo claim they have done everything possible within their powers to try and repatriate the locomotive and for this, we commend them.

We cannot provide any further information in relation to this matter at this time, however we shall provide more updates as-and-when further details arise. As a group, the C58LG will continue to focus its efforts on the four remaining Class 58 locomotives in the United Kingdom by supporting their preservation. Our goal remains unchanged – to ensure that the legacy of the Class 58 is protected for future generations and that its important contribution to both British Rail and international freight operations is properly recognised and celebrated.

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