sprinterguy
Established Member
Yes, it was commonly reported during the time of their operation that they were p*** weak compared to, say, the earlier class 56. Wheelslip certainly was an issue: There was at least one Nottinghamshire colliery (Harworth? Bassetlaw? I can't remember now) where 58 were limited to 28 HAA hoppers due to their tendency to slip on the gradients leaving the colliery.
Certainly, they could never hold a candle to the sure footed capabilities of the class 60s that followed them.