Today brings another exciting N Gauge announcement from Revolution Trains, with a brand-new production run of their popular Class 66 diesel locomotives now confirmed for release in early 2027.
The new batch includes five fresh general release models, covering a selection of popular liveries and individual locomotives not previously represented in the Revolution Class 66 range. That gives modern-image N Gauge modellers even more scope to expand their fleets with one of the most familiar freight locomotives on today’s railway.
We’re also delighted to confirm two brand-new Rails of Sheffield Exclusive Class 66s, both celebrating Freightliner’s 60th anniversary in striking green and orange commemorative liveries. Joining them in the same production run will be our previously announced Railway Icons models of GBRf’s red-liveried ‘Karen Harrison’ and ‘Michael Portillo’, produced as part of the wider Railway 200 celebrations.
Quantities across this batch will be extremely limited, especially on the exclusive models, so we’d strongly recommend getting your pre-order in early if there’s a particular version you want to secure. With arrival expected in early 2027, this latest run is shaping up to be one of Revolution’s most varied Class 66 batches yet.
NEW RAILS EXCLUSIVES - DUE EARLY 2027
NEW RAILWAY ICONS MODELS - DUE EARLY 2027
We've teamed up once again with our friends at Revolution Trains to bring modellers these welcome additions to our N Gauge range. The special livery depicted on No.66710 "Karen Harrison" and No.66719 "Michael Portillo" makes them the perfect way to round out a year of railway celebrations. Both Class 66’s were originally seen in their new liveries hauling Network Rail’s 2025 Exhibition Train ‘Inspiration’ and sport a red body and grey roof livery, complete with GBRf and Railway 200 branding.
The price for the DCC Ready models will be £159.99, with the DCC Sound Fitted models coming in at £254.95. These models are exclusive to the Railway Icons range, and your pre-order can be secured from as little as £30 at Rails of Sheffield or Locomotion Models. Delivery is expected during late 2026.
NEW GENERAL RELEASE MODELS - DUE EARLY 2027
PREVIOUS BATCH - IN STOCK NOW
Product Features:
Next generation heavy, diecast chassis with smooth running, low friction and low geared design (weight 100g+)
Highly detailed injection moulded body with photo-etched and wire details and separate plastic parts
Lift off, easy-access central body section (as per the prototype!) to allow access to the decoder socket and switches
Prototype body detail variations e.g.bodyshells, bogies, underframes, headlights, handrails, cab windows, buffer, tie-down loops, lights, sandboxes and couplers
Etched nameplates supplied (where appropriate)
Buffer beam detailing: one end super-detailed with solid air dam, air pipes and cosmetic coupler all fitted. Alternative solid air dam supplied for coupler end, and open air dam for those wishing to couple both ends
Working accurate headlights including working marker lights. Lights switchable using easy to access mircroswitches or with DCC
Next 28 (ESU E24) decoder socket (see our Class 59 article for more details) and factory fitted speaker for easy sound fitting
Fine wheels to NMRA RP25 standards
Body-mounted, kinematic close couplers with NEM coupler sockets
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.