Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone class 59s, the Video 125 film that ‘got away’, is a documentary about 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.