Only 15 examples of the Class 59 were built for various British freight companies. The construction logistics company Foster Yeoman took over one example in 1997 and had it converted for use in Germany. In 1999 HHPI took over the machine. Technically, the Class 59 with its 2500 kW EMD 16-cylinder 2-stroke diesel engine is a close relative of the US bestseller SD40-2. The maximum speed is 97 km/h, five locomotives are approved for 120 km/h. There is no train heating system on board. Different starting processes can be selected with F1: 1x press button = warm start / press button 2x = false start / press button 3x = cold start
F2 slows down the locomotive slowly.
F5 enables the heavy load mode: The diesel notch is always one up compared with normal operation. If you want to jump two notches, simply set CV 104 to 150 (instead of 130).
F8 turns on the manual ntoching. Once F8 is on, you can use F7 to notch up and F6 to notch down. F8, F6, and F7 must be turned off to return to normal mode. If F8 is off and you press F7, the prime mover will run to full speed.
F14, F18 and CV 170 value 0 or 1, can switch between a "normal announcement" or an announcement "with gong".
F9 can increase the speed of the spirax valve by double-clicking it. The speed levels are slow, medium and fast.
17 will bring the locomotive to full stop.
F21 and CV 168 = value 0 or 1, can switch between a "normal" or a "squeaking" wiper.
F28 and CV 164 = Value 0, 1, 2 or 3, can switch between different rail joints (three coupler can be activated with CV 165 = value 1).
F29 and CV 169 = value 0 or 1, can switch between the "Automatic Warning System (AWS)" or the "Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS)".