Is the Class 66 the black 5 of Diesel locomotives?

[Trainfan344]

So we all know the black 5's were the go anywhere, do anything steam loco's but are the Class 66's the same with Diesel loco's? Is that the reason so many were built?

 

[455driver]

No, they cannot work passenger trains as they have no train supply.

 

[ainsworth74]

No, they cannot work passenger trains as they have no train supply.

Apart from where generator cars are available as I've been on 66 hauled tours

 

[Dieseldriver]

I'd argue that class 47s are probably more likely the 'Black 5' of the diesel era.

 

[ac6000cw]

I'd argue that class 47s are probably more likely the 'Black 5' of the diesel era.

I agree, and the 37s would also be a contender (especially as - being lighter - they have a wider route availability than a 47).

Of the modern stuff, the 68s maybe ?

 

[ainsworth74]

I was thinking 68s as well. Capable of nearly any passenger duty and most freight turns as well. The only thing I'm wondering about is their route availability sufficient for them to be used in most places?

 

[GB]

I was thinking 68s as well. Capable of nearly any passenger duty and most freight turns as well. The only thing I'm wondering about is their route availability sufficient for them to be used in most places?

The class 68 is significantly lighter than a class 66 but only has 4 axles instead of 6 so I believe both classes are RA7.

 

[theblackwatch]

The 66 can't 'go anywhere' - they are unable to traverse a number of lines in Scotland, such as Oban (which has a RA5 restriction on it), and special dispensation, coupled with some extra speed restrictions, had to be given for one to go to Mallaig on the Royal Scotsman.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I'd argue that class 47s are probably more likely the 'Black 5' of the diesel era.

Definitely.

 

[route:oxford]

I agree, and the 37s would also be a contender (especially as - being lighter - they have a wider route availability than a 47).

Of the modern stuff, the 68s maybe ?

Is there anywhere a 37 can't go?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Is there anywhere a 37 can't go?

Up until about 8 years ago they couldn't go South from Huddersfield towards Sheffield due to restrictions on the first viaduct out of HUD. Though that applied to all locos, rather than being specifically 37s. There's probably a few other places where locos of any kind are barred.

 

[bigdelboy]

I'd be thinking of a class 66 as more of a LMS Stanier 8F or BR standard 9F because of the freight orientation.

The comparison becomes convoluted wrt passenger working :: arguments might bring in thoughts of the class 66 'cousin' the CIE 201(ii) class ... and the fact 8F as apparently derived from Black 5. Too hard to dig down there though for me.

All said I'd vote the class 37 as earning itself the crown over many years as the 'Black 5' of the Diesel .... not really quite up to the 'top notch' passenger working but (sometimes) solid mixed traffic performance. ( Class 47 i'd regard as more aligned with say BR Standard Class 7).

 

[cjmillsnun]

So we all know the black 5's were the go anywhere, do anything steam loco's but are the Class 66's the same with Diesel loco's? Is that the reason so many were built?

No the Duffs were.

 

[D6975]

Up until about 8 years ago they couldn't go South from Huddersfield towards Sheffield due to restrictions on the first viaduct out of HUD. Though that applied to all locos, rather than being specifically 37s. There's probably a few other places where locos of any kind are barred.

A small number of 37s had the horns moved from the roof to the top of the nose to enable them to go to some places in Healey Mills territory with restricted clearances. Was the Penistone route one of them? Or was it just a weight over the viaducts thing?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is there anywhere a 37 can't go?

Is the Thameslink Core still restricted to 31s and 73s only as far as locomotives are concerned?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

A small number of 37s had the horns moved from the roof to the top of the nose to enable them to go to some places in Healey Mills territory with restricted clearances. Was the Penistone route one of them? Or was it just a weight over the viaducts thing?

The Penistone line block was solely down to weaknesses in the metal framed spans of Longroyd Bridge/Paddock viaduct which I believe was imposed around 1992. As far as the ones with modified horns were concerned, it wouldn't surprise me if one of the problem routes was, until 1983 at least, the Clayton West branch. Shelley Woodhouse tunnel I think was quite tight vertically, though built wide enough for double track. The stock running through there now of course fits easily!

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Up until about 8 years ago they couldn't go South from Huddersfield towards Sheffield due to restrictions on the first viaduct out of HUD. Though that applied to all locos,

What happened for engineering trains/test trains etc? Was it simply that permission was granted for locos to cross the viaduct on infrequent occasions?

 

[alexl92]

With most test trains around Hudd being Class 31s which have RA5 like a Class 20, surely they'd be allowed over?

 

[matchmaker]

With most test trains around Hudd being Class 31s which have RA5 like a Class 20, surely they'd be allowed over?

37s are also RA5.

 

[455driver]

37s are also RA5.

As were the Deltics!