British Rail Class 66

Class of diesel electric locomotives From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The British Rail Class 66 is a type of six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive developed in part from the Class 59, for use on UK railways. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies. In Continental Europe it is marketed as the EMD Class 66 (JT42CWR).

Power typeDiesel-electric
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder
Quick facts Type and origin, Power type ...
British Rail Class 66
A Class 66 at Eastleigh
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder
ModelJT42CWR[a]
Build date
  • 1998–2008
  • 2014–2015
Total produced480 from UK orders, excluding Series 66 imports
Specifications
Configuration:
  UICCo′Co′
  CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
BogiesEMD HTCR-E[1]
Length21.39 m (70 ft 2 in)[2]
Width2.63 m (8 ft 8 in)[3]
Height3.91 m (12 ft 10 in)[3]
Loco weight
  • Original specification:
  • 127 t (125 LT; 140 ST)[2]
  • UIC II and EU Stage IIIA spec.:
  • 129.6 t (128 LT; 143 ST)[1]
Fuel capacity
  • Original specification:
  • 8,180 L (1,799 imp gal; 2,161 US gal)[2]
  • UIC II and EU Stage IIIA spec.:
  • 5,670 L (1,247 imp gal; 1,498 US gal)[1]
Sandbox cap.EU Stage IIIA specification: 340 L (21,000 in3)
Prime mover
  • EMD 12N-710
  • Original specification:
  • 12N-710G3B-EC[2]
  • UIC II specification:
  • 12N-710G3B-U2
  • EU Stage IIIA specification:
  • 12N-710G3B-T2[1]
Engine typeTwo-stroke V12 diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
Displacement139.6 L (8,520 in3)
AlternatorEMD AR8/CA6[1]
Traction motors6 × EMD D43TRC[1]
MU workingAAR system[b]
Train heatingNone
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesWestinghouse air brake
Safety systems
CouplersScrew coupler
Performance figures
Maximum speed75 mph (120 km/h)[2]
Power output
  • Total: 2,400 kW (3,200 hp)
  • At rails: 1,850 kW (2,480 hp)
Tractive effort:
  Starting409 kN (92,000 lbf)[1]
  Continuous260 kN (58,000 lbf) at 15.9 mph (25.6 km/h)[1]
Brakeforce68 t (67 LT; 75 ST)
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • 66001–66250
  • 66301–66305
  • 66411–66434
  • 66501–66599
  • 66601–66625
  • 66701–66799
  • 66846–66850
  • 66951–66957
NicknamesShed,[5] Ying Ying[citation needed]
Axle load classRoute Availability 7
First run2 June 1998[6]
DispositionIn service
References to "UIC II" and "EU Stage IIA" relate to emissions control regulations set by the UIC and EU, respectively. In general, and without regard for subsequent modifications, locomotives ordered before 31 December 2002 will be original specification,[6] while those ordered after that date will be either UIC II or EU Stage IIA specification.
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History

Background

On the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations in 1996, Wisconsin Central Transportation Systems under the control of Ed Burkhardt bought a number of the newly privatised rail freight companies: Transrail Freight, Mainline Freight, Loadhaul, and later, Railfreight Distribution and Rail Express Systems; thus controlling 93% of UK rail freight. After a public relations exercise involving the input of the general public, the company was named English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS).[2]

EWS inherited a fleet of 1,600, mainly diesel, locomotives, with an average age of over 30 years; 300 had been cannibalised for spares. Typical of the fleet, the 2,580 hp (1,920 kW) Class 47s needed a major overhaul every seven years, costing £400,000; yet had an average daily availability of less than 65% with only 16 days between major failures. To enable it to offer its stated lower pricing to customers, EWS needed to reduce operating costs and increase availability.[2]

Order and specification

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.[2]

Placing what was termed as "the biggest British loco order since steam days",[2] 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. Financed by Locomotion Capital (later Angel Trains), the first locomotives were ready in early 1998; the fastest delivery of an all-new locomotive type by GM.[7][8] Initially, the locomotives were expected to be allocated the TOPS Class 61, the Class 66 designation was confirmed in July 1996.[9]

The EMD 710 12-cylinder diesel engine is a development of a two-stroke engine used for over 20 years, whilst the EM2000 control equipment is the same as that used on the Iarnród Éireann 201 Class. EWS reduced the locomotive's time into operation through specifying cab systems laid out like the Class 59, whilst increasing availability with a fuel tank of 8,180 litres (1,800 imp gal; 2,160 US gal) capacity, compared to 3,470 litres (760 imp gal; 920 US gal) on a standard Class 47.[2]

United Kingdom

66125 in EWS livery at Eastleigh

The first locomotive shipped to the UK arrived at Immingham in June 1998,[8] taken to Derby for testing. The second was taken to AAR's Pueblo Test Centre for endurance testing, before shipping to the UK. The locomotives then 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. The ability to simply start up '66s' on the dockside and drive them under their own power to depots to enter service was nothing short of a revelation compared with many other BR locomotives, particularly the British Rail Class 60s.[10][2]

Each locomotive is specified and guaranteed to 95% availability, aiming for a minimum of 180 days mean time between failures. It is designed to cover 1.6 million km between major rebuilds, equivalent to 18 years' service, with each major rebuild costed at £200,000.[2]

In 1998 Freightliner placed an order for locomotives. They were followed by GB Railfreight, and then Direct Rail Services. The last of more than 500 built over an 18-year period was No 66779, Evening Star, delivered to GB Railfreight in spring 2016.[11]

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. Rail enthusiasts labelled the type "The Red Death" as they displaced many older types of locomotive[12] whilst also acquiring the nicknames of "sheds" for the EWS (now DBS) locomotives (due to their upturned roof looking like a shed roof)[5] with the Freightliner locomotives being called "Freds" as a portmanteau of Freightliner and Shed.[13]

Continental Europe

The Class 66 design has also been introduced to Continental Europe where it is currently certified for operations in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, and Poland, with certification pending in the Czech Republic and Italy. They currently operate on routes in Sweden and Denmark and between Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Poland. As a result of its well-known British identity, EMD Europe markets the locomotive as "Series 66".

UK importation

By 2011, following an increase in UK rail traffic after the 2008 Global Economic Crisis, EMD were struggling to source critical components of the locomotive — specifically castings. The final units of the Class 66 were produced in the London, Ontario plant that year following an industrial dispute and the introduction of new EU crash and emissions regulations which culminated in the cessation of production.

Due to a reduction in European freight volumes and migration of several operators to electric traction using multi-current locomotives such as the Alstom Traxx and Siemens Eurosprinter, since mid-2012, a number of EMD Series 66 locomotives have been imported by GBRf and converted to UK type specifications. To date:[14]

  • 2012: Three ex-Dutch locos, which have been numbered 66747749. The former identities of these were DE6316, DE6313 and DE6315 respectively.
  • 2013: Two ex-German "Rush Rail" locomotives, which have been numbered 66750 and 66751. The former identities of these were DE6606 (also used in Sweden with the number T664025) and DE6609 (also 2906) respectively
  • 2019: Three ex-Swedish locomotives, which have been numbered 66790792. The former identities of these were T66403, T66404 and T66405 respectively.
  • 2024: Eleven locomotives from France, which have been numbered 66306316.[15]

Emission compliance

Numbers 66752-779 were the last Class 66s ordered for service in Great Britain because of increasingly stringent emission regulations. 66779 was the last Class 66 ever to be built. Although the Class 66s meet stage 3a of the regulations, they do not meet stage 3b. Stage 3b would have required additional exhaust treatment equipment that could not easily be accommodated within the UK loading gauge. The same restrictions apply to the Class 68 and Class 70. The restriction does not apply to second-hand locomotives, provided that they are imported from within the European Union. The purpose of the regulation was to put a cap on the total number of non-compliant locomotives in the EU.[16]

Current operators

Class 66 operators in Great Britain are:

DB Cargo UK

Class 66 locomotive 66034 in DB livery at Didcot Parkway

DB Cargo UK bought out EWS. Their Class 66 fleet includes four locomotives capable of banking heavy trains over the Lickey Incline. On these specific locomotives, the knuckle coupler has been modified to allow remote releasing from inside the cab, whilst in motion. It also includes fifteen locomotives fitted with RETB signalling equipment, for working in northern Scotland and RETB-fitted branchlines.[17] A few DB Cargo UK Class 66s are now working in Europe as part of DB Cargo France and DB Cargo Polska.[18]

GB Railfreight

GB Railfreight 66744 waiting at Victoria station.

GB Railfreight initially leased seventeen Class 66/7 locomotives, before increasing its fleet to 32. During April 2006 five more low-emission locomotives (numbered 66718-722) were delivered, liveried for use on the Metronet/Transport for London contracts. A further order for five more locomotives (66723-727) was delivered in early 2007, and another five locomotives (66728–732) in April 2008. 66733-746 are formed of Class 66s from Direct Rail Services, Freightliner and Colas Rail. In 2011 66720 was painted in a special "Rainbow" livery.[19] In June 2012, 66734 derailed at Loch Treig whilst working 6S45 North Blyth–Fort William and was consequently cut up on site and scrapped.[20]

In September 2013, GB Railfreight announced a new order of a further 8 Class 66/7 locomotives from EMD, the first of the class to be built at EMD's Muncie, Indiana plant. On 2 February GBRf ordered a further 13 locomotives. These 21 locomotives are numbered 66752772.[21] Numbers 66752756 were shipped from America and arrived at Newport Docks in July 2014. No. 66752 has been named The Hoosier State, a nickname for Indiana.[22] A further seven locomotives (66773779) were later added to the fleet, utilising six power units that had been in the UK, plus one recovered from the scrapped 66734. The presence of these power units in the UK circumvented European emission compliance regulations and permitted them to be exported to EMD Muncie for installation in further class 66 bodyshells.[citation needed]

The final Class 66 built, 66779, remained under a tarpaulin until 10 May 2016 when it was revealed at the NRM York with a special livery and nameplates to commemorate the fact it is the final Class 66 ever built for the British market.[11][23] The locomotive has been painted in BR Lined Green and named Evening Star, in reference to BR Standard Class 9F 92220 Evening Star which was the last BR steam locomotive to be built. It was unveiled in a special ceremony inside the Great Hall at the National Railway Museum in York on 10 May 2016 before staying there opposite its namesake, No. 92220, for two weeks. At the same ceremony, the CEO of GBRf, John Smith, handed the curator of the National Railway Museum a document offering 66779 to the national collection when it is retired in about 40 years time.[24]

In addition to those locomotives sourced from domestic operators (Direct Rail Services, Freightliner, Colas Rail and DB Cargo UK), eight further locomotives have been obtained from European operators. A further five have been purchased from Heavy Haul Power International and will be transferred from Germany beginning in April 2021. The locos will go to Doncaster to be converted to UK specification.[25]

Former operators

66305 in Fastline livery in the snow

Former Class 66 operators include:

Fastline operated intermodal services between Doncaster and Birmingham International Railfreight Terminal (BIFT), and Thamesport, in North Kent, using refurbished Class 56 locomotives. The company ordered five Class 66/3 locomotives to operate a coal flow from Hatfield Colliery, which were delivered in 2008.[26][27]

Following the demise of Jarvis in 2010, and Fastline going into administration on 29 March 2010,[28] these locomotives were placed in storage, being towed to Direct Rail Services' Carlisle Kingmoor and Crewe Gresty Lane depots for storage. During 2011, DRS repainted the five ex-Fastline locomotives and added them to their own fleet, keeping their original numbers.[citation needed]

Future operators

In January 2026, DB Cargo UK announced that it was to sell 25 locomotives to Bulgarian operator Grup Ferovar Roman. The locomotives include 66006, 66009, 66014, 66024, 66027, 66040, 66047, 66069, 66075, 66076, 66080, 66085, 66086, 66087, 66089, 66095, 66110, 66111, 66115 and 66197.[29]

Driver reception

The British train drivers' union ASLEF has complained that the locomotives are unfit and unsafe to work in, citing excessive heat, noise levels and poor seating.

In April 2007, ASLEF proposed a ban on their members driving the locomotives during the British summer 2007 period. Keith Norman, ASLEF's general secretary, described the cabs as "unhealthy, unsafe and unsatisfactory". Research showed that in July 2006, when the weather had been extremely hot, the number of incidents where a driver had passed a signal at danger (SPAD) increased.[30] EWS entered into discussions and made amendments to a series of trial locomotives,[30] GB Railfreight and Freightliner also investigated cab improvements.[31] In June 2007, progress on the issue led ASLEF to withdraw its threat of industrial action.[32]

In Norway, CargoNet related complaints about the noise levels in the CD66 variant of the Class 66 resulted in higher pay rates for drivers.[33]

Accidents and incidents

66 048 lies in the snow and trees following the Carrbridge derailment.
  • On 4 January 2010, a freight train, hauled by 66048, derailed at Carrbridge in snowy weather, blocking the Highland Main Line.[37] Having passed a signal at danger the train was derailed at trap points,[38] subsequently falling down an embankment into trees and injuring the two crew members. The locomotive was hauling container flats from Inverness to Mossend Yard on behalf of Stobart Rail.[39] The line was reopened on 12 January.[40]
  • On 21 November 2011, 66111 derailed between Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids on working an engineering works service.[41]
  • On 28 June 2012, GBRf operated 66734 derailed at Loch Treig whilst working the 6S45 North Blyth to Fort William Alcan Tanks.[42] Due to its position and the environmental risks associated with recovery, after agreement from owners Porterbrook it was cut-up on site and the mechanics recycled as spare parts.[43][44]
  • On 1 August 2015, 66428 was hauling an engineering train that ran into the rear of another engineering train at Logan, Ayrshire. It was severely damaged.[45] The train that was run into was hauled by 66305.[46]
  • On 14 August 2017, 66713 was hauling a freight train that derailed near Ely, due to defective suspension on the wagon that was first to derail. The railway between Ely and Peterborough was closed for a week.[47]
  • On 4 September 2018, 66230 was hauling a freight train which collided with a vehicle on a level crossing at Dollands Moor Freight Yard, Kent. One cab was extensively damaged in the post-impact fire.[48] The locomotive was stored in Toton TMD.[citation needed]
  • On 23 January 2020, 66154 was hauling a freight train which derailed at Wanstead Park and ran for 2.5 miles (4.0 km) before stopping near Walthamstow Queen's Road station.[49]
  • On 23 March 2020, 66057 ran through a buffer stop at the end of a siding at Bromsgrove and was derailed. The derailment caused the locomotive to foul the main line, and a Class 170 diesel multiple unit, unit number 170 107, collided with the derailed locomotive at around 85 miles per hour (137 km/h). No one was injured.[50] The driver of the locomotive was subsequently convicted of an offence contrary to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was sentenced to 8 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.[51]
  • On 11 November 2020, 66603 was hauling a freight train that derailed at Sheffield.[52] The derailment was caused by broken rail fastenings which allowed the track to spread.[53]
  • On 19 August 2021, 66754 was hauling a freight train which collided with a tractor on a level crossing between March and Whittlesea in Cambridgeshire. The locomotive and three wagons were derailed.[54][55]
  • On 24 December 2021, 66779, working a train from Hams Hall (near Birmingham) to London Gateway derailed on the down Thames Haven line while on the approach to the port near to Stanford-le-Hope in Essex.[56][57]
  • On 5 July 2022, 66729 was hauling a freight train that passed a signal at danger and ran into the rear of another freight train near Loversall Carr Jn, Doncaster.[58]
  • On 19 October 2022 66739 was hauling a loaded cement train from Clitheroe Castle Cement Gb to Carlisle N.Y. when eight wagons derailed at Petteril Bridge Junction with one crashing into the River Petteril and one half way down the embankment.[59]
  • On 5 April 2024, 66776 passed a red signal and was derailed at West Ealing.[60]

Sub-classes

Minor differences between different orders, and different operating companies have resulted in a number of subclasses being defined.[citation needed]

More information Subclass, Quantity ...
Subclass Quantity Loco nos. Operators Comments
Class 66/0[8] 223
  • 66001–007
  • 66009–015
  • 66017–030
  • 66032–045
  • 66047
  • 66049–057
  • 66059–080
  • 66082–090
  • 66092–107
  • 66109–121
  • 66123–125
  • 66127–131
  • 66133–140
  • 66142–146
  • 66148
  • 66150-155
  • 66157-160
  • 66162-163
  • 66165-166
  • 66168-170
  • 66172-182
  • 66183
  • 66185-193
  • 66195–220
  • 66222-229
  • 66231–237
  • 66239–249
DB Cargo UK
  • The original order of 250.[8]
  • 65 locomotives were transferred to subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail during the English, Welsh & Scottish Railways era: 66010, 66022, 66026, 66028, 66029, 66032, 66033, 66036, 66038, 66042, 66045, 66049, 66052, 66062, 66064, 66071–073, 66123, 66179, 66190, 66191, 66193, 66195, 66201–205, 66208–220, 66222–226, 66228, 66229, 66231–236, 66239–247, 66249.[18]
  • 15 locomotives have been sent to the Polish division of the DB Cargo group, DB Cargo Polska: 66146, 66153, 66157, 66159, 66163, 66166, 66173, 66178, 66180, 66189, 66196, 66220, 66227, 66237, 66248.[18]
  • Others make regular visits to the UK for attention at Toton depot.
  • In December 2017 the company sold ten of its domestic fleet Class 66s to GB Railfreight: 66008, 66016, 66046, 66058, 66081, 66132, 66141, 66184, 66238 and 66250. These were reclassified as Class 66/7 and renumbered 66780–789.[61]
  • 66048 was withdrawn in 2016 following an accident at Carrbridge[62]
  • 66230 is in storage at Toton TMD following an accident at Dollands Moor.[citation needed]
5
  • 66031
  • 66091
  • 66108
  • 66122
  • 66126
Direct Rail Services On long-term lease from DB Cargo UK, all in DRS livery.[citation needed]
Class 66/3 16
  • 66301–305
  • 66306–316
GB Railfreight
  • Originally ordered by Fastline Freight.
  • Imported from France.[15]
Class 66/4 10 66411–420 Freightliner Acquired from Direct Rail Services in 2011. 66411, 66412 & 66417 exported for use by Freightliner PL.[18]
14 66421-434 Direct Rail Services Intended use is on intermodal traffic. Occasionally used on nuclear flask traffic.[8]
Class 66/5 81
  • 66501–520
  • 66522–526
  • 66528–529
  • 66531–534
  • 66536–572
  • 66585
  • 66587–594
  • 66596–599
Freightliner
Class 66/6 28
  • 66601–607
  • 66610
  • 66613–623
  • Top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h) – reduced gearing to cope with heavier oil, aggregates and cement trains.[8]
  • 66608, 66609, 66611, 66612, 66624 and 66625 have been exported to Poland, the operating subsidiary Freightliner PL.[18]
10 66651-660 DB Cargo UK
  • 66/0s regeared from February 2024 to replace the remaining DB class 60s in service: 66221/164/194/149/167/156/183/147/171/161 becoming 66651-660 respectively[63]
4 66687

66689 66693 66694[64]

GB Railfreight
  • 66687/689 regeared from 66777/779
  • 66693/694 renumbered from 66793/794[64]
Class 66/7[65] 99[65] 66701–776, 66778, 66780-792, 66795-799[66][64] GB Railfreight Operates on coal, intermodal services and also engineering / departmental work for Transport for London and Network Rail on London Underground and National Rail lines.[8]
  • 66734 was cut up on site after it was involved in a serious derailment at Loch Treig. However, a 'new' 66734 is now part of the GBRf fleet, with this locomotive replacing the original.[65]
  • 66733–737 were formerly Direct Rail Services 66401–405.[citation needed]
  • 66738–741 were formerly Freightliner 66578–581.[citation needed]
  • 66742–746 were formerly Colas Rail 66841–845 and prior to that were numbered 66406–410 when with Direct Rail Services.[citation needed]
  • 66747–749 are a former Dutch fleet converted at the Midland Railway Centre.[14]
  • 66750 and 66751 are former Beacon Rail locos from mainland Europe. Converted at the EMD Longport.[14]
  • 66780–789 were formerly DB Cargo UK 66008, 016, 046, 058, 081, 132, 141, 184, 238 and 250.[citation needed]
  • 66790–792 were imported by Beacon Rail from Sweden. Converted at the EMD Longport.[67]
  • 66793–799 were imported by Beacon Rail from mainland Europe.[66]
Class 66/8 5 66846–850 Colas Rail Formerly Freightliner 66573–577.
Class 66/9 7 66951–957 Freightliner A lower emission variant – fuel capacity reduced to compensate for the increased weight of other components.[8]
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Names

More information Number, Name ...
Number Name Operator Notes
66005 Maritime Intermodal One DB Cargo UK [68]
66035 Resourceful Unveiled at the 2018 Severnside Open Day.[69]
66047 Maritime Intermodal Two [68]
66051 Maritime Intermodal Four [68]
66090 Maritime Intermodal Six [68]
66091 accurascale Named after the model railway company at the DB Cargo UK Rail 200 Heritage Weekend at Midland Railway – Butterley in July 2025[70]
66100 Armistice 100 (1918-2018) [71]
66142 Maritime Intermodal Three [68]
66148 Maritime Intermodal Seven [68]
66162 Maritime Intermodal Five [68]
66175 Rail Riders Express Named at Toton on 20 March 2020.[72]
66190 Martin House Children's Hospice [73]
66200 The Jeremy Vine Show Named at The Greatest Gathering in Derby after the famous BBC Radio 2 presenter.[74]
66301 Drax Power Station 50 Years GB Railfreight [75]
66307 Ipswich Town [76]
66308 Signalman Willie Taylor Named on 1 May 2024 at Carlisle Station to mark 40 years since he prevented a fatal rail collision.[77]
66413 Lest We Forget (denamed) Freightliner Name transferred to 66623 in 2023.[78]
66415 You Are Never Alone [79]
66418 Patriot Named in 2016 in honour of the 20,000 railwaymen that lost their lives in the First World War.[80]
66419 Lionesses' Roar Named in honour of the England women's national football team.[81]
66421 Gresty Bridge TMD Direct Rail Services Previously carried by 20305.[82]
66422 Max Joule Name unveiled at the 2022 Direct Rail Services Open Day.[83]
66424 Driver Paul Scrivens [84]
66425 Nigel J Kirchstein [85]
66428 Carlisle Eden Mind [86]
66429 Charlie Brise Named after a former DRS employee and TSSA union representative.[87]
66431 Kingmoor TMD [87]
66433 Carlisle Power Signal Box [88]
66501 Spirit of 65 – Celebrating 60 years of Freightliner Freightliner Named in March 2025 to celebrate 60 years of Freightliner.[89]
66503 The Railway Magazine Named in 2004 with another plate (Celebrating 125 years 1897–2022) added below in 2022 to celebrate the magazine's anniversary.[90]
66508 City of Doncaster [78]
66509 Josiah's Wish [91]
66522 East London Express (denamed) [79]
66526 Steve Dunn (denamed) Named after freight driver who was killed in the Selby rail crash.[92][78]
66528 Madge Elliot MBE (Borders Railway 2015) Named after veteran rail campaigner Madge Elliot.[93][79]
66533
  • Hanjin Express /
  • Senator Express
Different name carried each side.[79]
66534 OOCL Express Named on 21 November 2001 at Manchester.[94]
66540 Ruby [95]
66552 Maltby Raider Named in 2004 to celebrate Freightliner's achievement of 0.75 million tonnes of coal from Maltby Main Colliery.[96]
66587 As One We Can Named and repainted in Ocean Network Express' (ONE) pink livery in 2019 to celebrate Freightliner's partnership with ONE.[97]
66594 NYK Spirit of Kyoto [79]
66614 Poppy Named in 2016 in honour of the 20,000 railwaymen that lost their lives in the First World War[80]
66619 Derek W Johnson MBE Named after Chairman of Johnson Stevens Agencies Ltd.[98]
66623 Lest We Forget Name transferred from 66413 in 2023.[78]
66701 Whitemoor (denamed) GB Railfreight Named on 23 May 2004 at Whitemoor depot.[99]
66705 Golden Jubilee Additionally carried a Union Jack in its livery until 2016.[100]
66706 Nene Valley [101]
66708 Glory to Ukraine Named on 6 April 2022 and partially painted in the colours of the Flag of Ukraine.[102]
66709 Sorrento Named and repainted in Mediterranean Shipping Company's corporate colours in 2012 to celebrate the 10-year partnership anniversary with GB Railfreight.[103]
66710 Karen Harrison Named at the Greatest Gathering after the first woman in Britain to be appointed as a train driver.[74]
66711 Sence [104]
66713 The Forest City Named in reference to the Class 66's birthplace in London, Ontario.[105][better source needed]
66714 Cromer Lifeboat [106][better source needed]
66715 Valour [107][better source needed]
66716 Locomotive & Carriage Institution 1911-2011 Named on the Nene Valley Railway.[108]
66718 Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill of Imber in the County of Wiltshire Originally named Sir Peter Hendy CBE in 2013, it was repainted in a black livery with the current name adopted in May 2023.[109]
66719 Michael Portillo Named at the Greatest Gathering after the British journalist and broadcaster that hosted railway documentaries such as Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.[74]
66720 Wascosa [110]
66721 Harry Beck Named after the designer of London Underground's Tube map.[111]
66723 ZA723 Chinook Named after the helicopter in 2008.[112]
66725 Sunderland [76]
66726 Sheffield Wednesday [113]
66728 Institution of Railway Operators [114]
66729 Derby County [115]
66731 Capt. Tom Moore – A True British Inspiration Named in April 2020 in honour of the 100th birthday of Captain Tom Moore.[116]
66733 Cambridge PSB [117][better source needed]
66734 Platinum Jubilee Repainted in purple livery in 2022 and named to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[118]
66736 Wolverhampton Wanderers [119]
66738 Huddersfield Town [76]
66739 Bluebell Railway [120]
66740 Sarah Named after Sarah Whurr in 2014, working for GBRF's finance team.[121][better source needed]
66741 Swanage Railway [122][better source needed]
66742 Port of Immingham Centenary 1912-2012 Unveiled by Michael Portillo.[123]
66744 Crossrail [124]
66747 Made in Sheffield [125]
66748 St Michael's Mount Named and repainted in the "Belmond Britannic Explorer" luxury livery and named in honor of the famous tidal island landmark in Cornwall.[126]
66749 Christopher Hopcroft MBE [127]
66750 Bristol Panel Signal Box [128]
66751 Inspiration Delivered [129]
66752 The Hoosier State A nickname for the American state of Indiana.[22]
66753 EMD Roberts Road [130]
66754 Northampton Saints Named at Wellingborough Aggregates Terminal on 22 April 2015.[131]
66755 Tony Berkeley OBE [132]
66756 Royal Corps of Signals [133]
66757 West Somerset Railway [134]
66758 The Pavior Named in honour of the Worshipful Company of Paviors.[135]
66761 Wensleydale Railway Association 25 years 1990 - 2015 Named on 17th July 2015 to honour 25 years of the Wensleydale Railway Association. The locomotive spent a weekend after the naming ceremony hauling passenger services on the 22 mile heritage railway.[136]
66763 Severn Valley Railway [137]
66764 Major John Poyntz Engineer and Railwayman Named on 16 June 2021 in honour of last RE Inspector of Railways.[138]
66765 Julie Carn [139]
66766 Gail Richardson [139]
66767 King’s Cross PSB 1971–2021 Named on 25 April 2021 at Kings Cross station.[140]
66769 League Managers Association Carries the Prostate Cancer UK logo. Named in August 2021.[141]
66770 Darius Cheskin [87]
66771 Amanda Named in a ceremony at Cleethorpes station in August 2019 in honour of staff member Amanda Wilson.[142]
66772 Maria Named in a ceremony at Cleethorpes station in August 2019 in honour of staff member Maria Dennison.[142]
66773 Pride of GB Railfreight Name chosen by Matthew Parris in recognition of LGBT+ employees across the rail industry.[143]
66775 HMS Argyll Named in a ceremony at HMNB Devonport in July 2017.[144]
66778 Cambois Depot 25 Years [145]
66779 Evening Star Last class 66 to be built. Gifted to the NRM.[146]
66780 The Cemex Express [147][148]
66781
  1. Darius Cheskin[87]
  2. Ratcliffe Power Station
  1. Previously carried by 66778.[149]
  2. Named 28 June 2024, to commemorate the last coal train to Ratcliffe-on-Soar.[150]
66783 The Flying Dustman Named in March 2018 to mark the partnership between Biffa and GB Railfreight.[151]
66784 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway [152][page needed]
66785 John Ellis [153]
66786 Cambridge University Railway Club [154]
66787 Three Bridges ASC [155][better source needed]
66789 British Rail 1948-1997 Named to commemorate the 70th anniversary of British Rail and painted in BR 'large logo' blue.[156][better source needed]
66790 Louise [157]
66791 Settle & Carlisle 150 To celebrate 150 years of freight on the Settle to Carlisle line[158]
66792 Collaboration [159]
66794 Steve Hannam [160][better source needed]
66795 Bescot LDC Named in October 2021 following the completion of an upgrade to the Bescot Local Distribution Centre.[161][162]
66796 The Green Progressor Named in September 2021.[163]
66798 Justine [157]
66799 Modern Railways Diamond Jubilee [164]
66847 Terry Baker Freightliner [165][better source needed]
66849 Wylam Dilly [166]
66850 David Maidment OBE [167][better source needed]
66957 Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909–2009 GB Railfreight Named at Shildon, on 30 March 2009, as part of the Stephenson Locomotive Society's 100th anniversary celebrations.[168]
Close

Models

In 2006, Hornby Railways launched its first version of the BR Class 66 in OO gauge range in a variety of liveries.[169]

In 2008, Bachmann produced a OO gauge model of 66411 Eddie the Engine in DRS Stobart livery.[170] In 2013, following on from Bachmann's OO gauge EWS and Freightliner liveried models of the Class 66, Bachmann introduced a DCC-ready version of 66846 in Colas Rail livery.[171]

Since 2019, Hattons have offered a variety of paint schemes for their class 66 model in OO gauge.[172]

Both Graham Farish[173] and Dapol produce models of the Class 66 for British N gauge.[174]

In 2008, Aristocraft introduced a G scale version of the Class 66 in GB Railfreight livery[175][176] and in Freightliner livery.[177]

Notes

  1. Locomotives produced from 2006 onwards, including those of Series 66 imported from continental Europe, are model JT42CWRM.
  2. Also used by Classes 59, 67, 68 (numbers 68008–68015 only), 69, 70, and 73/9.
  3. Locomotive 66039 only, as part of 'first in class' testing for the East Coast Main Line digital signalling programme.[4]

References

Further reading

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