Description
The Class 66 is one of the most ubiquitous diesel classes in the UK. 480 examples were built for the UK market with additional examples being imported from other countries pools to bolster the amount in service in the UK. The Class 66 is a progression of the privately commissioned Class 59 that Foster Yeoman had constructed to replace their aging and failing BREL locomotives. The Class 66 shares the same body as the 59 but has uprated internals.
In May 1996 EWS placed an order for 250 units to be built in London, Ontario. These would set EWS back £375 million, with the first units arriving relatively quickly in early 1998. The locomotives would be in service from the point they touched down at Newport Docks, with the locomotives shipped already filled with water and fuel. The last such example arrived in the UK in spring 2016.
66779 is the last example of the class built for the British railways, and it has the plaque, name and livery to prove it. Named ‘Evening Star’ after the last steam locomotive built in Britain the locomotive is presented in a lined brunswick green livery, a livery commonly seen on express passenger steam engines and as was on the 9F Evening Star when it was outshopped. The locomotive is in GB Railfreight service and will be donated to the National Collection upon the locomotives withdrawal.
