The class were ordered from Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton to relieve motive power shortages. The design is a variation on the USATC S200 Class Mikado, a design which first appeared in 1941. Twenty locomotives entered service between August 1952 and March 1953. The most immediately apparent difference is the rather stubby short tender that was specially built to allow the 59 class to be turned on a standard turntable. It was the specification of these tenders which considerably delayed the delivery from the initial order. Unfortunately due to the weight of the locomotive it was eventually discovered, in service, that most turntables could not turn the 59 class due to balancing issues. The class was the first 'new build' of oil-fired engines to be introduced by the New South Wales Government Railways and were the first locomotives to be built for NSW by Baldwin since 1905. They were initially used on the Short North from Enfield to Broadmeadow. They were soon placed in service on both the Main Western and Main South lines and, although their light axle load made them available to a large proportion of the state, their sphere of operation was limited by the location of oil fueling facilities. Accordingly, they saw most of their service, as oil burners, working on the Main North and North Coast lines, as well as in the Sydney metropolitan area. In 1961 it was decided to convert the majority of the class to coal burning. Seventeen were converted using an ashpan based on the 38 class arrangement, together with modifications to the smokebox, fitting of brick arches, grates, firehole doors, etc. Three 59 class remained as oil burners and ended their service as shunters at. 5918 was badly damaged in a shunting accident and was used as a parts donor for 5908 and 5916 until the remains were scrapped in 1969. 5908 and 5916 were later transferred to Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot in December 1970 for use as stationary boilers. In August 1974, 5916 was sent to the Eveleigh Carriage Workshops for the same use. In 1977 both were transferred to the former NSW Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere The coal burning locomotives were mainly operated from Enfield Locomotive Depot, working to. They were also based at Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot, working from to. From February 1967 59 class locomotives were allocated to for banking duties on Raglan and Tumulla banks. During 1968/69 59 class were often used on freight trains to during a motive power shortage.
Preservation
Withdrawals began in June 1969 with the last withdrawn in December 1972.
