Drivers' experience of Class 66 locomotives

[D365]

To be absolutely clear here, 66s are ace. I spend my life driving them on various different types of trains. They are unbelievable locos that as re extremely reliable.

Mods note - split from here.

Really? In comparison to their BR predecessors, I've not heard enough positives about the 66s (and 69s) to have me singing from the GBRf drivers' hymn book...

 

[martin2345uk]

I've only been driving 66s for about 3 years in total and I hate the bloody things! I wish Freightliner would order some nice new locos!

 

[Bald Rick]

I've only been driving 66s for about 3 years in total and I hate the bloody things! I wish Freightliner would order some nice new locos!

They did!

 

[train_lover]

Mods note - split from here.

Really? In comparison to their BR predecessors, I've not heard enough positives about the 66s (and 69s) to have me singing from the GBRf drivers' hymn book...

When you actually look at what a 66 does. A loco will go on a circuit and work it all week long. Often without being shut down. It'll be on the go pulling heavy trains at decent speeds around the country. Then come the weekend it'll go out on a T3. Come Monday it'll be back out on another circuit.

They have very little maintenance done and yet they very rarely fail, let's not forget they've not had a midlife overhaul either. There's a reason they are so common around the world and that's because they just work.

To have a loco that is 20 or so years old with no midlife overhaul and still going strong shows how good they are. People moan about them all the time but I personally can't fault them.

 

[berwicksfinest]

I reckon i'm qualified for this one, Ive spent over 20 years with these !!! As my old instructor said

They were built for a budget not a job. He was trained were they were made and again he said there were different levels of spec for different countries, i'll you to figure out what our spec was.

In my career of over 30 years this is the only class of engine i have actually failed with !!
They are not particularly Driver friendly regards noise,

They do their job thats about the nicest thing i can say

 

[martin2345uk]

I always wear ear defenders when driving one now! Surprised more drivers don’t…

 

[D365]

To have a loco that is 20 or so years old with no midlife overhaul and still going strong shows how good they are. People moan about them all the time but I personally can't fault them.

As evidenced by the comments above, I don’t think the robustness of the equipment is the problem.

 

[train_lover]

As evidenced by the comments above, I don’t think the robustness of the equipment is the problem.

Everyone has their opinions on them. I've seen many comments on this forum from people that don't even drive them! I spend more time on a 66 than my own sofa I've got no issue with them, they are a pleasure to drive!

I'd be interested to hear from other 66 driver's though...

 

[martin2345uk]

I’m curious to know what it is you like about driving them… for me they are draughty in cold weather, boiling in hot weather, and noisy and rattly in all weather..

Not knocking them in terms of the job they do, but for me the driver experience is poor

 

[E27007]

When introduced, the in-cab noise levels were high, drivers were exposed to noise levels close to, or exceeding H&S standards for noise exposure to their hearing, you cannot drive a loco wearing ear defenders. If a driver's hearing drops below rigourous medical standards, he is out of a job
We had them on depot, a driver demonstrated to me how they gained the nickname of "Sheds". Thump the cab wall and the noise was just like being inside a cheap garden shed.
From the same driver, the 66 is a "cut-price" specification, the 59, the Rolls-Royce.
If it correct that the 66 locos had a series of modifications to alleviate in-cab noise?

 

[Andypandy1968]

The 59 is a totally superior beast.

 

[cj_1985]

When introduced, the in-cab noise levels were high, drivers were exposed to noise levels close to, or exceeding H&S standards for noise exposure to their hearing, you cannot drive a loco wearing ear defenders. If a driver's hearing drops below rigourous medical standards, he is out of a job
We had them on depot, a driver demonstrated to me how they gained the nickname of "Sheds". Thump the cab wall and the noise was just like being inside a cheap garden shed.
From the same driver, the 66 is a "cut-price" specification, the 59, the Rolls-Royce.
If it correct that the 66 locos had a series of modifications to alleviate in-cab noise

When introduced, the in-cab noise levels were high, drivers were exposed to noise levels close to, or exceeding H&S standards for noise exposure to their hearing, you cannot drive a loco wearing ear defenders. If a driver's hearing drops below rigourous medical standards, he is out of a job
We had them on depot, a driver demonstrated to me how they gained the nickname of "Sheds". Thump the cab wall and the noise was just like being inside a cheap garden shed.
From the same driver, the 66 is a "cut-price" specification, the 59, the Rolls-Royce.
If it correct that the 66 locos had a series of modifications to alleviate in-cab noise?

That's correct. The initial noise suppression insulation was retrofitted to the earlier class 66/0s.
I know the majority of GBRf's 66s have been upgraded at Longport... in some cases multiple versions having been fitted over the years.
The majority of those fitted with cab cooling have a thicker/harder insulation panels, while other examples retain the original soft 'foam' material.... which hasn't worn well over the years

 

[Alanko]

Interesting thoughts here! https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/what-the-drivers-think-of-the-66s

 

[E27007]

The railmagazine article confirms much of the content of the thread, the potential damage to the hearing is the worst aspect, has ASLEF or the ORR taken action over the matter, noise exposure is a basic H&S issue.
The poor ride of the 66 leads to "Whole Body Vibration" (WBV) H&S considerations for the drivers, musculo-skeletal disorders caused by years of being exposed to being bounced around the cab, a TOC surreptitiously slipped an amendment into the Safety Case Documents carried onboard their locos, (not the 66), in the document the amendment stated "drivers are responsible for monitoring their exposure to WBV", just when management thought they had "got away with it", an eagle-eyed driver spotted the change and raised with the Trade Union "what is WBV and how can I monitor my exposure" ? I think it was about £100,000 in fees to call in Consultants to answer that one. One more of the shenanigans that Management play on their workers,

 

[martin2345uk]

I wear our company issued ear defenders whenever I drive one....

 

[Dai Corner]

Which other classes do you drive @train_lover ?

 

[train_lover]

Which other classes do you drive @train_lover ?

Currently, just 66s