The Class 59 is a diesel locomotive of the

National Railway Company of Belgium french: Société nationale des chemins de fer belgesgerman: Nationale Gesellschaft der Belgischen Eisenbahnen , type = Statutory corporation , industry = Rail Transport , foundation = 1926 , founder = Government of ...

. The locomotive features dual-ended operation with end-of-train red marker lights. The hood features cantilever doors. In the mid-1960s, they were given a green livery with yellow stripes and additional steps were added under the lights. These locomotives were used on both secondary lines where electrification was not profitable and on the main lines, until they were finally equipped with a

catenary In physics and geometry, a catenary (, ) is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends in a uniform gravitational field. The catenary curve has a U-like shape, superficia ...

. At the end of 1953, NMBS/SNCB ordered 55 of these four axle locomotives (originally called Type 201) which were to be assembled at the John Cockerill factories in

Seraing Seraing (; wa, Serè) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Liège, Belgium. The municipality consists of the following districts: Boncelles, Jemeppe-sur-Meuse, Ougrée, and Seraing. With Liège, Herstal, Sai ...

, each equipped with a Baldwin engine. They were first used on light lines of the northern plains of Sambre and the Meuse. The first units the series were delivered in December 1954. They were still being used in June 2002 to haul work trains building the high speed rail lines in France and Belgium.

Preservation

References

National Railway Company of Belgium locomotives Diesel-electric locomotives of Belgium Standard gauge locomotives of Belgium {{diesel-loco-stub