The Deltics have always impressed me, as underneath their sleek and powerful looks - reminiscent of the North American diesel locomotives of the 1940s - is a sleek and powerful engine.

Whilst writing of powerful locomotives and North America, below is a trio of modern powerful locomotives - all intended for freight work - built in North America. The Class 59, imported by Yeoman and prior to re-privatisation of the railways setting the precedent for private operation on British Railways, was the vanguard of the importation of large quantities of General Motors/Electro Motive engines. It was also the demise of manufacture of locomotives in any great quantity in the UK. However, this is not to detract from the fact that they are powerful, reliable locomotives and very good at their jobs. Plus, amongst other non British Railway interests, I am a fan of North American Railroads. If someone told me in the 1980s that in twenty years time hearing a General Motors prime mover powering through my local station would be a regular event I would not have believed them!
Class 59 history and pictures from the Southern E-Group.