Class 66s on heritage railways?

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?

 

because they are needed on the "big railway"

 

True, but i'm sure they can spare one or two for a weekend?

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Also, many enthusiasts (especially of my vintage) prefer "classic" traction now withdrawn from the mainline, to what are widely perceived as inferior modern locos.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.

 

I doubt it would be an economic prospect. You can see them anywhere

 

Didnt 66 get used for Bluebell Spoil trains,one of the incoming through trains and is not one named Bluebell. The ceremony hapening at Horstead Keynes

Edit - it was 66739

http://www.derekhayward.co.uk/Blueb...HH/2433306779_fTngvzZ#!i=2433306779&k=fTngvzZ

 

I'll see the 66 and raise you a 67

 

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

 

GBRF :66738 visited the MHR last year for their diesel gala.

 

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.

 

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

 

+ the two shown in the photos above.