Class 66 Diesel 66547-5466 Best Viewed By Pressing L
Class 66 66547 Heading South Through Northallerton Station
Freightliner
Freightliner 66610 on the East Coast Main Line near York
Freightliner followed EWS by initially ordering five new Class 66/5 locomotives, and have continued to order in small batches. As of summer 2010, the 66/5 fleet had reached 98 examples, numbered 66501-520/522-599. 66521 was withdrawn after the 2001 crash at Great Heck and later scrapped.
In 2000 a new Class 66/6 sub-class was built, with a lower gear ratio, enabling heavier trains to be hauled, albeit at slower speed. There are presently 25 examples of this class, numbered 66601-625.
During 2004 the company also took delivery of the most recent Class 66/9 sub-class of the locomotive, which are a low-emission variant. All new locomotives for all companies are now of the low-emission "T2" type. The original two such locomotives remain as 66951/52.
On the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations in 1996, English, Welsh and Scottish Railway bought most of British Rail's freight operations. Many of the locomotives that EWS inherited were either at the end of their useful life or of doubtful reliability. EWS approached General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD), who offered their JT42CWR model which had the same bodyshell as the EMD built Class 59; this gave the advantage of having a locomotive of known clearance. The engine and traction motors were different models from those in the Class 59. Additionally, the Class 66s incorporated General Motors' version of a steering bogie - designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves.
The initial classification was as Class 61, then they were subsequently given the Class 66 designation in the British classification system (TOPS). Two hundred and fifty were ordered and built in London, Ontario, Canada.[1]
In 1998, Freightliner placed an order for locomotives. They were followed by GB Railfreight, and then Direct Rail Services.
Although sometimes unpopular with many rail enthusiasts, due to their ubiquity and having caused the displacement of several older types of (mostly) British built locomotives, their high reliability has helped rail freight to remain competitive
Class 66 Diesel 66547-5466 Best Viewed By Pressing L
Class 66 66547 Heading South Through Northallerton Station
Freightliner
Freightliner 66610 on the East Coast Main Line near York
Freightliner followed EWS by initially ordering five new Class 66/5 locomotives, and have continued to order in small batches. As of summer 2010, the 66/5 fleet had reached 98 examples, numbered 66501-520/522-599. 66521 was withdrawn after the 2001 crash at Great Heck and later scrapped.
In 2000 a new Class 66/6 sub-class was built, with a lower gear ratio, enabling heavier trains to be hauled, albeit at slower speed. There are presently 25 examples of this class, numbered 66601-625.
During 2004 the company also took delivery of the most recent Class 66/9 sub-class of the locomotive, which are a low-emission variant. All new locomotives for all companies are now of the low-emission "T2" type. The original two such locomotives remain as 66951/52.
On the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations in 1996, English, Welsh and Scottish Railway bought most of British Rail's freight operations. Many of the locomotives that EWS inherited were either at the end of their useful life or of doubtful reliability. EWS approached General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD), who offered their JT42CWR model which had the same bodyshell as the EMD built Class 59; this gave the advantage of having a locomotive of known clearance. The engine and traction motors were different models from those in the Class 59. Additionally, the Class 66s incorporated General Motors' version of a steering bogie - designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves.
The initial classification was as Class 61, then they were subsequently given the Class 66 designation in the British classification system (TOPS). Two hundred and fifty were ordered and built in London, Ontario, Canada.[1]
In 1998, Freightliner placed an order for locomotives. They were followed by GB Railfreight, and then Direct Rail Services.
Although sometimes unpopular with many rail enthusiasts, due to their ubiquity and having caused the displacement of several older types of (mostly) British built locomotives, their high reliability has helped rail freight to remain competitive