Dapol have now revealed decorated samples for much of their range of newly tooled O Gauge Class 66 diesel locomotives!
The design team have reviewed two new EP's prepared by the new factory commissioned to produce the O Gauge Class 66 and have found them to be very good indeed. The body shells have all been evaluated and any necessary feedback has been provided to the factory for any potential improvements. Production of these models will be starting soon and we expect them to be in shops possibly by the end of the year but in all likelihood will arrive in the new year (2026).
Pre-Order Now - Exclusive to Rails
Pre-Order Now - General Release
Product Features
Highly detailed model with many separately fitted parts including handrails, handles, grilles, footsteps, pipework and more
Etched grilles now with added detail showing radiator equipment with engine room lighting
Heavyweight Diecast chassis and diecast bogie frames
Working rotating axle centres
Multiple Digital & Sound options:
- DCC Ready - 2 x Plux22 decoder sockets
- DCC Fitted - 2 x Imperium decoders
- DCC Sound - 1 x Zimo sound decoder + 1 x Imperium decoder with dual speaker system
- DCC Spatial Sound - 2 x Zimo sound decoders with quad speaker system
About DCC Spatial Sound:
DCC Spatial Sound using two Zimo Plux22 sound decoders to offer true stereo sound, a first for O gauge RTR. Amongst other effects, engine sounds will now emanate from the engine end, horns will be spatial and fan sounds will come from the fan end. The two-speaker system used will also be of our own design and incorporate 4 drive units which will enhance the bass and treble and make the whole experience more immersive than has been possible before. Coupled with our `RealDrive’ feature will make this a truly realistic driving experience.
Two motors (balanced & matched) for maximum pulling power and slow speed running control
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
Factory sound fitted models to be fitted with RealDrive
DC control switches to be accessible via lift-off roof panel
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
Prototype Information
The Class 66 is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive, somewhat based on the earlier Class 59 locomotives. The class has proved to be highly successful with a total production run of 480 in the UK (with additional locos imported from overseas following this) and alternative versions of the loco being marketed to Europe as the EMD Class 66.
Upon privatisation, a number of newly-privatised rail freight companies; Transrail, Mainline, Loadhaul, Railfreight Distribution, and RES were bought out and became EWS. EWS inherited a fleet of 1,600 mostly diesel locomotives, including many Class 47s which had to be overhauled every 7 years at a cost of £400,000. In an effort to reduce their operating costs, EWS approached Electro-Motive Diesel to build new locomotives based on the Class 59 bodyshell but with a different engine and traction motors to enable higher speed running - leading to the commissioning of the Class 66.
EWS ordered 250 Class 66 locos, in what was termed "the biggest British loco order since steam days". Further orders were placed by Freightliner, GB Railfreight, and Direct Rail Services in later years. 66779 was the last Class 66 to be built as the design could no longer meet the stringent stage 3b emissions regulations.
The locomotives have proved to be extremely reliable and adaptable, being used for across a huge spectrum of UK freight operations.