Class 66 Mirrors

[Inthewest]

Can any one tell me more about mirrors on the Class 66 and why some have them, others don't and what they're all about?

There seems to be little information online.

 

[Peter C]

My copy of the EWS 'Traction & Traincrew Advice' book from 2003/2004 has an entry on this subject:

Experimental Fitting of Rear View Mirrors and Fraction Hinges to Class 66 Locomotives

[...]

Rear View Mirrors
Several European and North American railways fit rear view mirrors as a Driver's aid to instantaneously view the train when pulling away, observe for such as shifted loads, brake drag or overheated bearings and to improve vision during shunting operations.
The EWS trial includes both 'convex' and 'flat' format mirrors and are treated with a protective film as used for anti-vandalism applications on EWS locomotives windows.
It would be appreciated if Drivers would carefully trial use these mirrors and comment on the usefulness of the various types.
[...]

The feedback from Drivers will then be reviewed to identify which type of mirror is best for application on class 66 locomotives.

This is the most recent 'Traction Digest Advice' page in the book, and is dated 20th May 2004. I can only assume the decision was made not to fit all Class 66s with these mirrors if you say some have them and some don't.

I hope this helps,

-Peter

 

[GB]

They are so small (to fit within the loading gauge) they are next to useless to look back at the train for shifted loads or dragging brakes etc.

 

[Peter C]

They are so small (to fit within the loading gauge) they are next to useless to look back at the train for shifted loads or dragging brakes etc.

Oh! Maybe that's a reason that they weren't fitted to all engines, if they weren't good for what they were designed for?

-Peter

 

[Supercoss]

one of the RAIB recommendations following an incident involving i driver only freight train was ability for driver to view along train whilst in motion
will have to trawl reports for quote, but a reccomendation

 

[berwicksfinest]

These were actually fitted to our locos only, this was due to mainline engines being passed for shunting purposes, thus doing away with the need for 08/09s etc.

I personally find them quite handy, looking for grounstaff and generally setting back keeping an eye on things

 

[Peter C]

These were actually fitted to our locos only, this was due to mainline engines being passed for shunting purposes, thus doing away with the need for 08/09s etc.

I personally find them quite handy, looking for grounstaff and generally setting back keeping an eye on things

Ah OK - I realised I said 'all engines' as opposed to 'all EWS 66s' in my previous post. Interesting to hear another first-hand opinion on them.

-Peter

 

[66103]

Ah OK - I realised I said 'all engines' as opposed to 'all EWS 66s' in my previous post. Interesting to hear another first-hand opinion on them.

-Peter

Suppose it is all down to opinion. and my opinion is only from a shunting slow speed and setting back view, I think looking back out the window when pulling away is much easier, gives you much better visibility, also find some of the side windows on DB66s have a window tint applied what makes it harder to see the mirror, especially at night. More so when the window is open so 2 tints are overlapped.

A mainline driver may have different opinions as doing lookbacks on the move when traveling faster obviously carrys more risks than 5/10mph shunting I do , also able to see the right hand side of the train with ease is an added bonus to other foc class 66s

 

[Peter C]

Suppose it is all down to opinion. and my opinion is only from a shunting slow speed and setting back view, I think looking back out the window when pulling away is much easier, gives you much better visibility, also find some of the side windows on DB66s have a window tint applied what makes it harder to see the mirror, especially at night. More so when the window is open so 2 tints are overlapped.

A mainline driver may have different opinions as doing lookbacks on the move when traveling faster obviously carrys more risks than 5/10mph shunting I do , also able to see the right hand side of the train with ease is an added bonus to other foc class 66s

It's really interesting to hear first-hand thoughts on these mirrors; I didn't know the windows were tinted on the DB 66s, and I can see how that would pose a bit of an issue when trying to see the mirrors. I expect having the ability to look back down the train when on the move is a good thing but as you say, it carries more risk on the mainline than when shunting.

-Peter