Class 66 Diesel 66849-5476 Best Viewed By Pressing L
Colas Class 66 heading South through Northallerton Station
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. 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
Colas Rail
Colas Rail took over the ex-Advenza Cemex Cement flow after the company went bust utilising ex Advenza locomotives. During 2010 they took on 66843 and laterly 66844 which both had been on lease to GBRf, they also took on ex DRS 66410 which was renumbered 66845.
Class 66 Diesel 66849-5476 Best Viewed By Pressing L
Colas Class 66 heading South through Northallerton Station
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. 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
Colas Rail
Colas Rail took over the ex-Advenza Cemex Cement flow after the company went bust utilising ex Advenza locomotives. During 2010 they took on 66843 and laterly 66844 which both had been on lease to GBRf, they also took on ex DRS 66410 which was renumbered 66845.