Class 66 Freightliner (60th Anniversary) 66501 - DCC Sound Fitted

66501 was the first Class 66 to arrive in the UK for another operator, in this case Freightliner, on 17 July 1999 aboard the ‘M.V. Gajah Borneo’. On 19 July 1999, the locomotive was formally handed over at Newport Docks before making its way to Ipswich for acceptance. It settled into normal Freightliner intermodal operations and gained the name “Japan 2001” to commemorate Freightliner’s support of the Japan 2001 Festival. It remained in this condition until being taken to the former Brush works of UKRL in 2024 for assessment and overhaul. Chosen as one of a pair to receive special commemorative livery for the “Freightliner 60” celebrations, it was outshopped from Loughborough in striking orange paintwork on 8 March 2025 and subsequently named “Spirit of ’65”. This locomotive has now received the modified driver’s door handle arrangement, with the upper handle plated over.