In the mid-1980s, one of British Rail's major customers of heavy block trains, Foster Yeoman, suggested the unusual arrangement of running its services with locomotives owned by them, rather than BR. Disappointment in the Class 56s on its routes led Foster Yeoman to look elsewhere for locomotives. They eventually agreed a deal with the US firm General Motors to provide them with the locos designated as Class 59s.

The Class 59s surpassed everyone's expectations and other customers unhappy with the Class 56s decided to purchase the Class 59s as well. The locos are now over 30 years old and are still performing the work they were designed for. With over 230 images, this book shows the Class 59s through the years across the United Kingdom.