GB Railfreight has announced that three Class 66 locomotives are heading to the UK.
The three locomotives will be leased from Beacon Rail Leasing and are being introduced to the UK network from Sweden.
The locomotives T66 403/4/5 will become 66 790/791/792
The Class 66 locomotives are the most widely operated modern freight locomotives in the European market.
GBRf has experience in bringing locomotives from Europe to the UK. Previous conversions include 66 747/8/9/5/51 from European to UK specification with the assistance of Electro Motive Diesels (EMD).
Before entering service, the locomotives will undergo upgrades in Gothenburg before being shipped to Immingham. They will then be transferred to EMD's Longport facility for conversion to UK spec.
The locomotives will have Train Bourne safety systems, air conditioning, as well as cab and system specific reliability improvements made.
Additionally, they will all get the full GBRf livery and once fully upgraded, the Class 66s will then enter service.
What did the officials say?
John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said:
“I am delighted to announce that three Class 66 locomotives are being added to our fleet. These locos are incredibly reliable and will assist us in delivering the best possible service now and into the future.
This move is demonstrative of why GBRf are leading the way in the rail freight sector. It's a fantastic addition to our offer, enabling us to expand operations, whilst also providing the extra freight capacity the industry really needs.”
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Have the locos still two KE brake valves, one for each bogie? The Wabco one were replaced while there was no documents aviable proving the function by temperature -40.
Andrew, none of the 66s were built in the UK- they all came originally from General Motors/EMD factories in either Canada or the USA.
They now operate pretty much all over Europe, there are
even some in Egypt.
The orginal UK based Class 66 were built for EWS / Freightliner by EMD (part of USA based General Motors) at their works in London, Ontario, Canada. Other locomotives of the same type were built by EMD for other European railway companies.
Most of the Class 66s were built in the UK. Unless it was also built in Sweden. Strange how Class 66 locomotives are built in Sweden as well in the UK. As they are reliable and are used on freight movements and on charter services.