DB HTE Class 66s

[ac6000cw]

From what I understand the class 60 is a far superior loco for heavy haulage, but the Mirrlees power unit is not as robust as the agricultural EMD.

What is 'agricultural' about the EMD 710 diesel engine? It's a similar design vintage to the Mirrlees unit in the class 60 (and some of the later build 66s meet the tighter stage IIIA emissions requirements).

I’m not qualified to answer that, but it’s a rumour from several drivers at different depots, it may just be that, a rumour.
But have heard many drivers say the 66/6 are not up to the job they have been altered for.

Just changing the gearing won't turn a 66 into a 59 or a 60 - the 66s have lower rated traction motors and alternators than a 59, and the 60s have more advanced per-axle electronic wheelslip control versus the alternator-based (and hence whole-loco) electronic wheelslip control on the 59s and 66s.

 

[Wyrleybart]

What is 'agricultural' about the EMD 710 diesel engine? It's a similar design vintage to the Mirrlees unit in the class 60 (and some of the later build 66s meet the tighter stage IIIA emissions requirements).

Exactly. Just like a farm tractor the EMD power unit just keeps going and going. The reason why John Smith decided to invest in the class 69 project, and why GBRf have got hold of every single 66 they can from Europe

 

[TonyW66]

To save me searching, has this programme been cancelled or suspended now ? I read somewhere that DB are not impressed 'so far' with performance etc, but i've not seen anything from DB themselves or reliable info either. Thanks

 

[The_Train]

To save me searching, has this programme been cancelled or suspended now ? I read somewhere that DB are not impressed 'so far' with performance etc, but i've not seen anything from DB themselves or reliable info either. Thanks

I think it is just a lot of hearsay at the moment. Until someone spots DB employees digging out the demic 60s from the forest of Toton, things are to be taken with a pinch of salt I think

 

[Trainman40083]

I think it is just a lot of hearsay at the moment. Until someone spots DB employees digging out the demic 60s from the forest of Toton, things are to be taken with a pinch of salt I think

One might suspect that IF any class 60s were to be reinstated, then it would be the ones last withdrawn.

 

[The_Train]

One might suspect that IF any class 60s were to be reinstated, then it would be the ones last withdrawn.

You know what, you might be right there

 

[Trainman40083]

You know what, you might be right there

Best keep an eye on them, in case they get shunted about.

 

[45076]

I think it is just a lot of hearsay at the moment. Until someone spots DB employees digging out the demic 60s from the forest of Toton, things are to be taken with a pinch of salt I think

I have been told by a DB fitter that it is definitely on the cards, the 66/6 programme has not delivered as expected because the power delivery is not easy to control and the locos slip to easily. 5 class 60's will be reinstated.

 

[800001]

Might be worth a thread in speculative thread, unless anyone else knows more factual info, but heard from inside sources at GBRF that they are also now regearing 8 x 66s with option for another 4 to be done, and to be renumbered into 66/6 series.

 

[littledude]

Might be worth a thread in speculative thread, unless anyone else knows more factual info, but heard from inside sources at GBRF that they are also now regearing 8 x 66s with option for another 4 to be done, and to be renumbered into 66/6 series.

This has been on the cards for a long time. The conversion kits were ordered by EMD last summer. Re-numbering is broadly ‘number minus 100’ with a couple of exceptions. I’m sure numbers will be made public soon.

 

[ExRes]

One might suspect that IF any class 60s were to be reinstated, then it would be the ones last withdrawn.

Which would be 011/017/024/062/074 which are the only five not to have been tendered for sale, hopefully any return to service for 062 would be strictly conditional on the removal of that hideous mess of vinyl

 

[31160]

Which would be 011/017/024/062/074 which are the only five not to have been tendered for sale, hopefully any return to service for 062 would be strictly conditional on the removal of that hideous mess of vinyl

Fully agreed there sir,it's bloody awful

 

[Trainman40083]

Looks like GBRF are also to renumber some 66s into the 66/6 series too. Maybe the title will change from DB to cover the other operators.

 

[Dood75]

First renumber on TOPS of the GB variety...66689 has appeared, which appears to be the ex 66779 as that seems to have disappeared

 

[Rail Quest]

Existing thread for the GBRf HTE conversions: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gbrf-class-66-re-gearing.285993/

 

[D365]

Drivers have generally preferred class 60s over class 66s as well.

This doesn’t surprise me. Even putting aside the electronic capability of the 60s, which is unsurpassed by other diesels of its generation, the cab environment is far better.

 

[37114]

This doesn’t surprise me. Even putting aside the electronic capability of the 60s, which is unsurpassed by other diesels of its generation, the cab environment is far better.

True. Let's see if rumours of 60062 being out on test soon turn out to be true

 

[Class15]

True. Let's see if rumours of 60062 being out on test soon turn out to be true

Here’s hoping it gets a repaint!

 

[JKF]

Has there been any further news on this program, or is 66660 going to have been the last to appear? Will 658 ever escape the confines of Toton? 657 has been active in South Wales this week after time on other pastures so hoping to catch that one soon.

 

[Trainman40083]

Has there been any further news on this program, or is 66660 going to have been the last to appear? Will 658 ever escape the confines of Toton? 657 has been active in South Wales this week after time on other pastures so hoping to catch that one soon.

There was a suggestion they might reinstate 60s instead. I did wonder why 66658 never appeared.

 

[DBS92042]

There was a suggestion they might reinstate 60s instead. I did wonder why 66658 never appeared.

All of the remaining 'running' 60s (besides 60011 for some reason) have been moved to the WQDA pool, so that's looking increasingly unlikely unfortunately

 

[JKF]

657 finally turned up on the Portbury steel train today, allowing me to update the bingo card:



(Image shows thumbnails of HTE class 66s working Portbury steel trains as a grid in numerical order, with only 658 missing)

Only 658 hasn’t had a go on this working, and is reportedly only used for shunting in Toton yard, all it has done since conversion. Rumours are of it being broken in some way but nobody had elaborated! Does anyone know what the story is with this and whether it will ever get fixed up and escape the confines of the yard?

The Portbury steel traffic was supposed to have gone over to GBRF, which it did for a while, with an interruption due to wagon issues, but DBC have continued to work trains also.