PROTOTYPE/HISTORY

The Class 66 is a type of six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive developed in part from the Class 59, for use on the railways of the UK. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies. After reviewing the existing privately commissioned Class 59, which was more powerful, highly reliable and with lower operating costs, EWS approached its builder Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), then a division of General Motors. EMD offered their JT42CWR model, which had the same loading gauge-passing bodyshell as the Class 59. The engine and traction motors were different models to enable higher speeds, and the Class 66s incorporated General Motors' version of a self-steering bogie (radial truck, in American usage), designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves. Placing what was termed as the biggest British loco order since steam days, EWS placed an order for 250 units in May 1996 to be built at the EMD plant in London, Ontario, Canada at a cost of £375 million. The locomotives shipped at a rate of 11 per month into the UK via Newport Docks, until the order was completed in December 2001. After unloading, EWS engineers then simply took off the tarpaulin, unblocked the suspension, and finally as each was shipped with water and fuel, connected the batteries, before starting the engine and handing the locomotive into service.

MODEL

1:148 Scale model of a Class 66 Diesel Locomotive decorated in Railfreight Petroleum livery. This model features lots of expertly applied details as based on the prototype, a high level of body detail and excellent running characteristics.

FEATURES

• 1:148 Scale Model
• Analogue DC Model
• NEM Couplings
• Pristine Finish
• Smooth running 5 pole next generation motor
• All wheel pickup
• All wheel drive via re-worked smooth drive low maintenance mechanism
• Die-cast chassis
• DCC Sound ready, Next-18 decoder socket (recommended 6 function decoder)
• Independent directional front/rear main lighting control—day and night lighting with four light clusters being modelled
• Independent directional front/rear cab lighting control
• Main lamp and cab lighting override switches for DC users (Independent front/rear control)
• Two cab window designs modelled
• Removable self-centring close coupling mechanism with NEM pockets
• 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
• All Factory fitted DCC Locomotives will be fitted with Dapol's new Imperium Next 18 decoder

We are pleased to announce 2 exclusive Gaugemaster Collection items in this initial production run, both continuing our theme of Retro liveries.

CONTENTS

• 1 x Dapol Diesel Locomotive