58016 entered service during October 1984, and although part of the “first 35” locomotives, it was different in many subtle ways to the “as-built” 58001. Outshopped in Railfreight Red Stripe livery, it had different-angle cab side sheets, door handles fitted to the access doors, and a moisture trap/filter on the air brake piping. It was repainted into Triple Grey with Coal Sector branding in 1989, by which time it had gained a wide exhaust silencer and NRN radio pods on the cab roof. In 1991, the familiar Toton cooling towers depot plaque was added to the secondman's side.
During 1992, 58016 was notable for filling in on a Sprinter diagram on Cambridge to Birmingham services with a motley selection of Mk2 coaches. Like many others in the fleet, Coal Sector branding gave way to Mainline, and the locomotive soldiered on in its Triple Grey livery until it received a striking coat of EWS maroon and gold during 1996. 58016 was one of the final 58s to operate in this country for EWS, being withdrawn in August 2002. 58016 was chosen to be resurrected for Fertis, and a trip to France beckoned. After it returned to the UK, it was placed into storage at Crewe Diesel Depot. Here it stayed until purchased by the Class 58 Loco Group for preservation. The locomotive currently resides at UKRL’s depot in Leicester.