Dapol have revealed a selection of decorated samples for their newly tooled range of Class 66 diesel locomotives in N Gauge!

The development team have received a selection of fully decorated samples along with various decorated bod shells and colour samples. they have provided feedback to the factory in China. The project will be in full blown production soon and the final models are expected to arrive in stock by Q1 2026.

This all new Class 66 features various upgrades over the previous models including a newly tooled bodyshell and entirely redesigned chassis and electronics. This model will also incorporate Dapol's new iron cored 5 pole motor offering excellent slow running and exceptional pulling power with reliability and robustness. 

The Class 66 is a type of Co-Co heavy freight locomotive and was originally ordered by EWS to replace and update the freight fleet post privatisation in 1996. 250 Class 66s were ordered from General Motors Electromotive Division (EMD) and these were built in London, Ontario, Canada. Subsequent freight operators, Freightliner, GB Railfreight and Direct Rail Services (DRS) also ordered batches of these locomotives.

Overall the locomotive has been successful in service, offering improved reliability and performance over its predecessors. However the locomotive has also had its critics, partly due to the comfort the design offered drivers and staff and probably their ubiquity, ousting many different types of British built locomotives commonly seen prior to its commissioning. As a testament to the commercial success of the Class 66, it has been certified for use in many European countries (known as the Series 66) and can be seen commonly in Germany, Poland and Sweden amongst others. During its long service, the locomotive has been modified many times including low emission variants for greener running and highly geared models for hauling heavier loads albeit at slower speeds. The Class 66 is still in operation and is used by DB, GBRf, Freightliner, DRS and Colas Rail.