One of Dapol's most anticipated modern-image releases has arrived, with the all-new N Gauge Class 66 diesel locomotives now landing at Rails of Sheffield!
The ubiquitous Class 66 has become one of the defining locomotives of the modern British railway, and Dapol has gone right back to the drawing board for this latest model. Rather than simply updating its previous Class 66, this is part of Dapol's Next Generation Diesel programme, featuring a newly tooled bodyshell alongside a completely redesigned chassis and electronics.
One of the big attractions of the Class 66 is the sheer variety of colours it has carried, and Dapol has made full use of that with this new batch. The range covers major operators including EWS, DB, Freightliner, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail, alongside some memorable individual locomotives. Among those announced by Dapol are 66734 in Platinum Jubilee pink, 66779 'Evening Star' in BR lined green, 66528 'Madge Elliott MBE – Borders Railway Opening 2015' in Freightliner Powerhaul colours and 66428 'Carlisle Eden Mind' in DRS blue.
Of course, a Class 66 really comes into its own at the head of a decent freight train! Their extraordinary versatility means these locomotives can be paired with a huge selection of modern wagons, from container and aggregate traffic through to engineering and infrastructure trains, giving N Gauge modellers plenty of scope to create substantial contemporary formations.
With completely redesigned mechanics and electronics, extensive lighting functionality, sound capability and a superb selection of liveries, these look set to become a very useful locomotive for modern-image N Gauge collections. The new Dapol N Gauge Class 66 range is arriving now and available from Rails of Sheffield.
Explore the Range
Our first delivery has now arrived, containing the DCC Ready models. DCC Fitted and DCC Sound editions are expected to follow along very soon!
Product Features
NEM tension lock couplings
Pristine finish
Directional lighting with Independent directional front/rear main lighting control + Day and night lighting with four light clusters being modelled (Main lamp and cab lighting override switches for DC users (Independent front/rear control)
Diecast chassis
Digital & Sound capability - NEXT-18 decoder socket
Two cab window designs modelled
RP 25 wheels
Newly tooled highly detailed body and fittings
Accessory bag with etched nameplates and detailed buffer beam fittings
Clip-fit body for easy DCC fitting
Next generation iron-core 5-pole motor
Prototype Information
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.