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Class 66s on heritage railways?

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by jackshepherd, Nov 11, 2014.

  1. jackshepherd

    jackshepherd Member

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    hi everyone, ive alway been wondering why class 66s dont visit more heritage lines for diesel galas? As i know the nene valley has had cls 66s, but id love to ride behind a 66 on the NNR? I wonder why freightliner and GBRF dont send out locos to lines as much as DRS did? Anyone else got any reasons why 66s dont visit more?
     
    jackshepherd, Nov 11, 2014
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  2. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    because they are needed on the "big railway"
     
    simon, Nov 11, 2014
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  3. jackshepherd

    jackshepherd Member

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    True, but i'm sure they can spare one or two for a weekend?
     
    jackshepherd, Nov 11, 2014
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  4. Hurricane

    Hurricane Member

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    I am sure the 66's are at near capacity and cant be spared... also freight does not go quiet on weekends if anything their useage might go up with the civils works they undertake.

    One did visit the MHR a couple of years back.
     
    Hurricane, Nov 11, 2014
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  5. jackshepherd

    jackshepherd Member

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    Well thats true, i always thought there was plenty of cls 66s, i.e. enough with a few spare, as with the introduction of cls 70s
     
    jackshepherd, Nov 11, 2014
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  6. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    Not really, hence why a number of FOC are buying "preserved" locos, and as Hurricane says, there is a great demand for locos at the weekend for engineering work.

    This is a question that is perhaps better suited to one of the forums that deals with more modern traction, such as WNXX of fourfooteightandahalf where you may get a more detailed response.
     
    simon, Nov 11, 2014
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  7. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Class 66 are airbrake only which limits their use on heritage lines.
     
    Martin Perry, Nov 11, 2014
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  8. Tim Hall

    Tim Hall Member

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    Also, many enthusiasts (especially of my vintage) prefer "classic" traction now withdrawn from the mainline, to what are widely perceived as inferior modern locos. Thus many lines, even if they could get a 66, and had air braked stock or a dual braked loco to translate, would be reluctant to hire one for possibly a few extra attendees.
     
    Tim Hall, Nov 11, 2014
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  9. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    I doubt it would be an economic prospect. You can see them anywhere
     
    Reading General, Nov 11, 2014
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  10. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Nov 11, 2014
    threelinkdave, Nov 11, 2014
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  11. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    I'll see the 66 and raise you a 67

     
    threelinkdave, Nov 11, 2014
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  12. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    No, you're ok thanks :)
     
    Martin Perry, Nov 11, 2014
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  13. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    People always like to see something a bit different. I was in Belgium last summer, enjoying a mixed traction gala on the Ciney - Spontin - Purnode preserved line. The 66 worked a train at the end of the day and this had been mentioned to us when we bought our tickets, as a major attraction. It was very popular.

    John
     
    nanstallon, Nov 11, 2014
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  14. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    20130426_124637.jpg GBRF :66738 visited the MHR last year for their diesel gala.
     
    Swan Age, Nov 11, 2014
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  15. Shaggy

    Shaggy Part of the furniture

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    66724 at the Swanage Diesel Gala on 9th May 08.

    It would appear that the only ones interested in these are the red liners. The vast majority of diesel enthusiasts are more interested in former BR traction. A class 60 would I'm sure be far more popular than a shed.
     

    Attached Files:

    Shaggy, Nov 12, 2014
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  16. West Somerset Wizard

    West Somerset Wizard Guest

    Class 66 on a heritage railway? Loads here:
    http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Picture+Search&q=class+66+

    Here is a list of known visits:
    Class 66 no 66002
    Class 66 no 66061
    Class 66 no 66083
    Class 66 no 66093
    Class 66 no 66116
    Class 66 no 66119
    Class 66 no 66138
    Class 66 no 66161
    Class 66 no 66550
    Class 66 no 66597
    Class 66 no 66616
    Class 66 no 66621
    Class 66 no 66707
    Class 66 no 66716
    Class 66 no 66721
    Class 66 no 66732
    Class 66 no 66844
    plus many others hauling the HOBC and other NR trains onto the Branch.

    Steve
     
    West Somerset Wizard, Nov 12, 2014
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  17. Shaggy

    Shaggy Part of the furniture

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    + the two shown in the photos above.
     
    Shaggy, Nov 12, 2014
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