| Brand: |
Gaugemaster |
| Part Number: |
GM2210104 |
The Class 66 is a type of six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive developed in part from the Class 59, for use on the railways of the UK. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies. After reviewing the existing privately commissioned Class 59, which was more powerful, highly reliable and with lower operating costs, EWS approached its builder Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), then a division of General Motors. EMD offered their JT42CWR model, which had the same loading gauge-passing bodyshell as the Class 59. The engine and traction motors were different models to enable higher speeds, and the Class 66s incorporated General Motors' version of a "self-steering bogie" ("radial truck", in American usage), designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves. Placing what was termed as "the biggest British loco order since steam days", EWS placed an order for 250 units in May 1996 to be built at the EMD plant in London, Ontario, Canada at a cost of £375 million. The locomotives shipped at a rate of 11 per month into the UK via Newport Docks, until the order was completed in December 2001. After unloading, EWS engineers then simply took off the tarpaulin, unblocked the suspension, and finally as each was shipped with water and fuel, connected the batteries, before starting the engine and handing the locomotive into service.
PROTOTYPE FACTFILE
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Electro-Motive Diesel (London, Ontario)
Build date 1998-2008, 2014-2015
Total produced 480
Length 70ft 3in (21.4m)
Width 8ft 8in (2.65m)
Maximum speed 75mph (120km/h) Class 66/6 65mph (105km/h)
Operators Advenza Freight, Colas Rail, DB Cargo UK, Direct Rail Services, Fastline, Freightliner, GB Railfreight
Numbers 66001-250, 66301-305, 66411-434, 66501-599, 66601-625, 66701-799, 66846-850, 66951-957
Multiple Working AAR System (Class 59, 66, 67, 69 & 73/9) |
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