O Gauge Class 66 EP Under Review

The Engineering prototype of the O Gauge Class 66 has arrived and is currently being reviewed by the design team. We are sure you will agree that it is looking a very impressive model.

Over View of the O Gauge Class 66 EP

Prototype Background

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.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.

Side Elevations

Electrical Specification

The proposed electrical specification for these models is listed below:

• Operating front/rear lights (independent operation for DCC, (switched for DC use) Includes day/night mode)
• Four headlight styles (including a European style)
• The addition of an additional front lamp is also possible where required.
• Operating ‘position’ lights (where lighting cluster dependent)
• Cab light (independent operation)
• 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 (21 pin) with DCC & DCC Sound fitted options available
• Factory sound fitted models to be fitted with RealDrive

Body & Chassis Specification

The proposed body and chassis specification for these models is listed below:

• Two main body styles – High and low emission types.
• Sub type bodies incorporating ventilation and weld detail variations.
• The models can be produced with two types of coupler bar or none at all.
• Two types of cab window.
• Five cab front loop locations variations.
• A snow plough will be fitted where applicable.
• Three horn grill styles (Including European).
• Two sizes of fuel tanks.
• Cab mirrors and antenna will be fitted where relevant.
• Three cab top lamp styles are incorporated into the tooling; the top lamp lenses are either hinged (UK & European types) or Screw (Bezel) types.
• Early and late sand box styles can be fitted where relevant.
• Screw link or Buck eye couplings will be supplied as necessary to correctly portray the prototype locomotive.
• Front steps will be available as a single step or as two or three steps depending on the prototype being modelled.
• Sprung rectangular and oval buffer types are available in the tooling suite
• Etched grills with ‘through body transparency
• Separate detail (Handrails, Handles, Grills etc.)
• Heavyweight Diecast chassis
• Diecast bogie frames
• Rotating axle centres
• O Gauge Society wheel profiles
• Expertly applied liveries

A view of the detail incorporated into the roof

An extreamly high level of detail in the cab interior including an illuminated dashboard.

The bogies are also highly detailed and include rotating axel covers

Proposed Models & RRP

The models that Dapol propose to produce in the first production run of the O Gauge Class 66 are listed below. DCC Ready and DCC Fitted models can be pre-ordered at your preferred Dapol stockist. DCC Sound Fitted Models are available to pre-order exclusively through the Dapol website Class 66 (dapol.co.uk)

• 7D-066-001     Class 66 66001 EWS
• 7D-066-002     Class 66 66504 Freightliner Powerhaul
• 7D-066-003     Class 66 66709 GBRF Sorrento MSC
• 7D-066-004     Class 66 66421 New DRS
• 7D-066-005     Class 66 66789 GBRF British Rail 1948 - 1997 BR Blue Large Logo
• 7D-066-006     Class 66 66783 GBRF BIFFA The Flying Dustman

The recomended retail price of these models is

DCC Ready – £336.38      DCC Fitted – £367.43      DCC Sound Fitted – £475.00

Dapol are also producing a number of Special commission models. Pressing on the company logos below will take you directly to the relevant website for more information and allow you to pre-order with them.

Progress

The EP is currently being evaluated by the design team. Artworks are underway and we will bring you these once we have something that we are happy to put into the public domain. 

Pre-Order DCC Ready & DCC Fitted Models At Your Preferred Dapol Stockist NOW!