Class 66. Why so unpopular?

[JoshW1992]

Well said sir!

 

[whoshotjimmi]

Ok, time for a new thread.

I have known for a while now that the class 66 is generally quite unpopular.

But why?

I want to hear plenty of views. Drivers, dispatchers, maintenance, enthusiasts - your opinion matters! Do you like 66's? If so, what do you like about them? What would make them better/more popular? Are they the correct locomotive to forge ahead with UK freight operations in the future?

The floor is open. Let your voice be heard!

 

[generalvegitable]

here is why i hate them:
1. they don't clag
2. they don't thrash
3. they are not british
4. they look ugly
5. they sound horrible

 

[90019]

Personally, I quite like them, they're good locos.

I think one of the reasons most enthusiasts dislike them is because there are so many in the UK. A point shown recently when someone was commenting about them elsewhere, remarking that he thinks they're rubbish, but that the 59s are amazing, the only reason I could tell being that there are only 15 59s.

 

[D9521]

The only reason i dislike them is because they put so many of our classic traction out of action 37's particulary besides that i don't have any problem with them, they sound unique look unique and do the job.

 

[jopsuk]

here is why i hate them:
1. they don't clag

Ie, they have low particulate missions- environmentally friendly

2. they don't thrash

In other words, they're quiet, making running of nightime freight through towns more acceptable

3. they are not british

Granted, it would be nice if British industry was up to making a quality product affordably

4. they look ugly

granted. A little thought in the aesthetics department would have improved things. However, it's a friggin freight mover- there's little need for good looks.

5. they sound horrible

You're back to #2 aren't you?

 

[Phoenix]

Tell ya what I'll give reasons as to why you should like them.

1.there efficient.
2.They indeed do thrash (go see a DRS one on the WCML)
3.work from straight out the box.
4.are very versatile.
5.generally look good.
6.Have charachter to them.
7.Reliable.

Honestly this I don't the shed stuff id due to one fact alone they are not 40 years old British built and don't clag if it had all the above criteria then my god would it be great but sadly that combo makes for a crap engine indeed if newly built.

 

[Pumbaa]

If I'm honest, I don't count myself an enthusiast, just interested in the British railway scene, the main reason I dislike 66s is... I find them dull. There is nothing exciting about them. No marvellously striking design, no unique noise or appeal that I can think of, other than it's easy to tell which one you're looking at by the large numbers on the front (or on the side in the case of DBS)

 

[D9521]

2.They indeed do thrash (go see a DRS one on the WCML)

Very true they thrash, ive seen EWS (now DBS) FL and DRS shed's thrash through nuneaton on a visit down that neck of the woods

 

[Jordy]

There was a discussion about this a while back, i've merged the two topics but feel free to continue the discussion

 

[Daimler]

They're just a bit...boring. I agree with what's been said above - they're ubiquitous, aesthetically uninspiring, and sound dreary.

Having said that, I don't dislike them. But if I was taking photos or watching at the side of the line, I wouldn't wait for one if I knew it was on the way - I would certain other types of traction! Having said that, that's as much due to their ubiquity as anything else - that's the main problem, sadly. Oh - and I do wish they were made by Brush or another British company...but that seems to be but a dream, these days!

Having said that, they appear to work well and look better than those new Freightliner things that are arriving!

 

[Phoenix]

Here's the best class 66 what if ever http://fictitiousliveries.fotopic.net/p44452725.html

 

[Stonesourscotty]

That Design is a vast improvement shame it wont be adopted.

 

[Phoenix]

That Design is a vast improvement shame it wont be adopted.

Problem is corrugated surfaces are much better as there is a much large overall surface area so the cooler outside temperatures effect the inside of the loco and aid the engine cooling process.
Also the bogies on a class 66 are defiantly something not to mess with were talking about some grade A American design hence why the body of 66 is actually not very high.
There are in no ways good looking infact I honestly doubt they could have made them look nice but there definatly practical and it pays off considering the order form GM have been getting since 66001.

 

[90019]

Here's the best class 66 what if ever http://fictitiousliveries.fotopic.net/p44452725.html

The thing is, though, that I reckon if they did all look like that, then simply because there are so many of them, people would still consider them boring.

 

[Phoenix]

The thing is, though, that I reckon if they did all look like that, then simply because there are so many of them, people would still consider them boring.

Thats the problem everyone starts off hating them pureley just beacause of their numbers and what they took over from in this case being 37's 47's 58's 56's etc.
People used to hate 47's and also 86's so I imagine eventually people will all start to grow to love these noble beasts.

 

[Juniper Driver]

How many 66's are there?

There were 508 47's at one time yes?

 

[Flyboy]

They're very noisy in the cab, which is surprising given their Western-world origin and the passion we have for work-related injury claims. One would think that manufacturers would design out anything that could potentially damage a driver's health, and I'm sure the noise levels in the cab are above 'un-protected' limits. Of course the easy way out is to place a warning in the cab that ear defenders should be worn.

 

[Ferret]

Thats the problem everyone starts off hating them pureley just beacause of their numbers and what they took over from in this case being 37's 47's 58's 56's etc.
People used to hate 47's and also 86's so I imagine eventually people will all start to grow to love these noble beasts.

Part of it is what they replaced, part of it is the fact that they've killed off the variety we used to have as well. For me, it's also because they were billed as this wonderful loco that could do almost anything - hmmm, not doing well with the heavier trains are they?

 

[87015]

Thats the problem everyone starts off hating them pureley just beacause of their numbers and what they took over from in this case being 37's 47's 58's 56's etc.
People used to hate 47's and also 86's so I imagine eventually people will all start to grow to love these noble beasts.

No. To both points. They are dull as dishwater - just like 862xx to me.

I wouldn't say it is just because there are too many of them - 59s are equally crap IMO.

 

[Jim]

I find them dull and boring. There is too many of them. And I would much rather a 37 idling outside my house for 8hours on a possesion than a 66 (as i did have once, for 10hours - overnight!)

 

[Juniper Driver]

Yeah but 37's had a bit of character,I used to get on them.

 

[BlythPower]

How many 66's are there?

There were 508 47's at one time yes?

513 of 'em, IIRC.

 

[renfespotter]

I am a bid biased towards Class 31s and 47s as my dad worked on them (and Falcon). I dont hate 66s but I do hate the lack of variety. Standardisation (sorry lets spell it as Standardization for the Canadian and American builders) has taken away the surprise of whats coming down the tracks. The fact that you dont see a 66 doing a passenger turn (for obviious reasons) like the 31s 37s and 47s does not help. Guess its all down to progress.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

I have outlined a few reasons why I think they are unpopular, the first ones being the more important ones:

They have replaced previously popular locomotives.
A large volume of them on the railways.
Design: Not a 'Britsh' look, almost foreign in appearance.
Not built in the UK - not one of 'ours.'
Can be found all over Europe, not unique to British metals.

I do think that if there were just a few of them on British metals, for example between 20-40 they would'nt be as unpopular, but the fact that (a) they have replaced poular locos and (b) you see them absolutely everywhere are the key factors in their unpoularity.

 

[Phoenix]

No. To both points. They are dull as dishwater - just like 862xx to me.

I wouldn't say it is just because there are too many of them - 59s are equally crap IMO.

Fair enough but to be honest everyone has their different opinions I mean no offense to you but I will always prefer class 86's to class 87's ask AndrewMay as he will tell you.

Yes fair enough they are pretty dull as far as diesels go but I guess they do the job and once the next two classes are produced they will create some variety then they wont be so bad.

 

[GNERman]

They are too common and have replaced most of classes 31, 33, 37, 47, 56, 58 and 60 as well as 90's.
They are too "boxy" and american looking - not like a 37!

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

513 of 'em, IIRC.

512.

Sheds sound crap, that's my reason.

 

[90019]

They are too "boxy" and american looking - not like a 37!

American looking? I think not:
SD40
Dash 9-44CW
F59PHI

How on earth do they resemble this?
If anything, it resembles this more.

 

[Phoenix]

To be honest everyone is entitled an honest opinion on the class 66's and if it is dislike than so be it but if you want to continue liking the railway then im sorry to say you will have to deal with them I am quite lucky in the fact I don't remember when the 66's didn't exist so they haven't exactly replaced anything in my mind I just wish there was more variety but with the 57's and 67's and the 66's there is at least some variety.