GBRf 66 question

[66fan]

Hi All,

A fairly random question, but I'm just curious about GBRf 66747-751. Specifically can anyone tell me exactly when these locos arrived in UK? I know they are conversions from European 66's but the exact dates they arrived in the UK, and when they were re-numbered and repainted for GBRf still eludes me

As you might guess from my username I am interested in the history of this class, and they're about the only 66's I can't find many details on. I assume someone on here would know more...

Cheers

 

[Aws87024]

Hi All,

A fairly random question, but I'm just curious about GBRf 66747-751. Specifically can anyone tell me exactly when these locos arrived in UK? I know they are conversions from European 66's but the exact dates they arrived in the UK, and when they were re-numbered and repainted for GBRf still eludes me

As you might guess from my username I am interested in the history of this class, and they're about the only 66's I can't find many details on. I assume someone on here would know more...

Cheers

66747-749 all entered the country on 21 December 2012 moving in convoy from Dollands Moor to Butterley hauled by 66735. 66747 entered service around mid July 2013, 66748 around early August 2013 and 66749 around mid June 2013. All locos ran from Butterley to Derby Etches Park before undertaking test runs and crew familiarisation, mainly around the East Midlands area. As for gaining full GBRf colour's all where out-shopped on he following dates by Arlington at Eastleigh Works; 66747 22/03/16, 66748 29/04/16 and 66749 07/03/16.

66750 entered the country on the 11th June 2013 hauled by 66701 from Dollands Moor to Peterbrough. It moved the next day to Longport for the UK mods and enter service around early December 2013. It was painted mid September 2015.

66751 entered the country on the 8th August 2013 hauled by 66740 from Dollands Moor to Peterbrough. It moved the to Longport on the 12th August for the UK mods and enter service around late December 2013. It was painted 23rd August 2014.

Entering service depends on your definition of it. The dates above are a rough guide but if you search around those dates on flickr you will get an idea of what happened. They all went to Derby Etches Park either hauled or under their own power to use the wheel lathe and then had light engine test runs with the first "proper trains" soon after.

 

[66fan]

Thanks very much for the detailed reply, exactly what I was looking for

 

[Topgun333]

I think I read somewhere that they have different cab layouts to standard UK 66s?

 

[GB]

I think I read somewhere that they have different cab layouts to standard UK 66s?

Yes. They have a wrap around style control desk as apposed to a central pedestal. The master key is replaced by switches and throttle changed from a horizontal handle to a T shape joy stick. I believe the AWS warning is 2 seconds rather than the usual 2.6 seconds or similar.

 

[E_Reeves]

Yes. They have a wrap around style control desk as apposed to a central pedestal. The master key is replaced by switches and throttle changed from a horizontal handle to a T shape joy stick. I believe the AWS warning is 2 seconds rather than the usual 2.6 seconds or similar.

Like this: (Not my photo. Off the interweb)

 

[MrB]

Yes. They have a wrap around style control desk as apposed to a central pedestal. The master key is replaced by switches and throttle changed from a horizontal handle to a T shape joy stick. I believe the AWS warning is 2 seconds rather than the usual 2.6 seconds or similar.

Which layout is generally preferred by drivers?

 

[GB]

Which layout is generally preferred by drivers?

Generally the standard layout it preferred by most staff. Its also more awkward to shunt backwards with the euro spec 66's as when your looking back out the window following the shunters hand signals, you can't quite reach the power controller.

 

[Legzr1]

Like this: (Not my photo. Off the interweb)

Location of some items are similar but there's lots of differences such as the throttle and brake in opposite locations!