EXCLUSIVE TO RAILS

Expected Delivery July/August 2026 (Subject to Change at Manufacturer's Discretion).

Revised Specifications

Electrical

• Operating front/rear lights (independent operation for DCC, (switched for DC use) Includes day/night mode)
• Operating ‘side’ lights (where lighting cluster is applicable)
• Cab light (independent operation)
• Detailed cab with illuminated cab control panel
• Two motors (balanced & matched) for maximum pulling power and slow speed running control
• DC control switches to be accessible via lift-off roof panel.
• DCC Ready with two PLUX 22 decoder sockets - DCC Fitted Options available
• Factory sound fitted models to be fitted with RealDrive

Chassis & Body

• Etched grills now with added detail showing radiator equipment with engine room lighting
• Separate detail (Handrails, Handles, Grills etc.)
• Heavyweight Diecast chassis
• Diecast bogie frames
• Rotating axle centres
• Appropriate couplings attached
• O gauge society wheel profiles
• Sprung buffers
• Interchangeable front buffer beams with the option for an auto coupler to be used. The entire buffer beam assembly can be swapped out
leaving no unsightly seams on the valance

DCC Options

DCC Ready - 2 x blanking plugs
DCC Fitted - 2 x Imperium Decoders
DCC Sound Fitted - 1 x Zimo sound decoder 1 x Imperium decoder - Dual speaker system
DCC Sound Deluxe - x 2 Zimo sound decoders - Quad speaker system, provides direction-dependent horn sounds etc.

History

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.

The first locomotive shipped to the UK arrived at Immingham in June 1998, 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, hooked up 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.

The initial classification was as Class 61, then they were subsequently given the Class 66 designation in the British classification system (TOPS). 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.