The Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) Class 66 (EMD JT42CWR) are Co-Co diesel locomotives built by EMD for the European heavy freight market. Designed for use in Great Britain as the British Rail Class 66, a development of the Class 59, they have been adapted and certified for use in other European countries.[3] Outside Europe, 40 locomotives have been sold to Egyptian Railways for passenger operation.[4]

EMD Class 66
HGK DE 64 at Godorf Hafen open day.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderElectro-Motive Diesel
ModelEMD JT42CWRM
Build date1998-present
Total produced651+(7)[1]
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICCo′Co′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
BogiesHTCR-E
Length21.35 m (70 ft 1 in)
Width2.64 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Loco weight126.9 t (124.9 long tons; 139.9 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity6,400 L (1,400 imp gal; 1,700 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 12N-710G3B-T2, 2,420 kW
Engine typeV12 Two-stroke diesel
AlternatorMain: General Motors AR8PHEH
Aux.: General Motors CA6B
Traction motorsGeneral Motors D43TR Axle Hung (6x)
Cylinders12
TransmissionElectric
Loco brakeAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Except Freightliner 66/6 105 km/h (65 mph)
Power output2,420 kW (3,250 hp) (total)
2,268 kW (3,041 hp) (traction)
Tractive effortStarting:
409 kN (92,000 lbf)
except Freightliner 66/6: 467 kN (105,000 lbf)
Continuous:
260 kN (58,000 lbf) @ 25.6 km/h (15.9 mph)
except for Freightliner 66/6: 296 kN (67,000 lbf) @ 22.5 km/h (14.0 mph)
Career
Nicknames'Sheds', 'Ying-yings' (UK),[citation needed] 'Klaas 66' (NL)[note 1] 'Scheune' (DE) [2]
LocaleWestern Europe, Egypt and Gabon

A number of locomotives built for Euro Cargo Rail in France with roof-mounted air conditioning are classed Class 77. In Germany ECR units operated for DB Schenker were numbered as class 247, re-classified as class 266 by the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt to match other Class 66 locomotives operating in Germany.[5]

History

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United Kingdom

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The class was designed by General Motors-Electro Motive Division[note 2] for use in the UK, and 250 were sold to English Welsh & Scottish, with orders from Direct Rail Services, Fastline, Freightliner and GB Railfreight.

Ireland

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While not exactly a Class 66, a mixed-traffic version operates on the island of Ireland, being owned by Iarnród Éireann and NI Railways. The 32 were ordered after the economic boom with 2 extra ordered by NIR from their supplier EMD; the first one was delivered in 1994 after being flown from London, Ontario to Dublin Airport by an Antonov An-124 Ruslan,[6] with the rest of the class arriving by ship in the following months.

Mainland Europe

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With the locomotives proving successful in the UK, interest came from railway operators in continental Europe. General Motors locomotives in mainland Europe had historically been produced under license by local manufacturers. The high haulage capacity and reliability of the Class 59 (JT26-CW-SS) had led to its use by the German company Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK). The first mainland Europe order also came from HGK, for two locomotives, followed by TGOJ Trafik (Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesberg-Oxelösunds Järnvägar) in Sweden. Subsequently, many European railway operators bought locomotives.[7]

Class 77

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With a high number of orders, EMD modified the locomotive for European ECR operations, including:[8]

  • Powered by a 12-cylinder 710 engine that meets EU Stage IIIA emissions regulations, via latest EM2000 control system
  • DC traction motors, rated at 3,300 horsepower (2,500 kW)
  • Enhanced gear case, which increases tractive effort to 450 kN (100,000 lbf), making the locomotive suitable for heavier European trains
  • ECR Train Protection System allowing for immediate certification for operation in France, Germany and Belgium, but meaning that they cannot operate in Great Britain
  • Additional driver facilities, including cab air conditioning; a microwave and fridge in one cab; additional noise cancelling insulation; a modified seat

Designated JT42CWRM-100 by EMD and registered in France as Class 77,[8] over 100 locomotives have been purchased including 60 by DB Schenker subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail.

Class 66EU

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In 2008 EMD announced plans to develop a new variant 'Class 66EU' designed for continental European operations, built within the UIC 505-1 loading gauge as opposed to the restrictive UK loading gauge. A range of European safety systems would be supported including ERTMS, and locomotives would be fitted with a dynamic brake and previous issues with driver comfort were to be addressed.[9] The project was confirmed to be cancelled in 2011.[10] A similar locomotive concept using EMD technology is the Vossloh Euro 4000 and has been delivered to operators in several countries including Norway, France, Spain, Portugal and Israel.

Technical

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The locomotive uses standard EMD components - an EMD 710 prime mover, D43 traction motors, radial[note 3] (self-steering) bogies of patented design, which reduce wheel surface and flange wear[11] and are said to improve adhesion[12] and reduce track load.[13]

The class has undergone updates; other than the lower-geared class 66/6 produced for Freightliner, most of the updates have been in relation to conforming to specifications for exhaust particulate emissions.

 
CD66 of CargoNet, the air conditioning unit is visible above the cab
 
Egyptian Railways Class 66

Despite being popular with rail operators, especially due to its high reliability, the class has not been universally successful: one recurring problem has been driver comfort. In particular, noise levels (including noise from the cab horn), vibration, and excessive cab-temperatures in hot weather have brought serious complaints. The cab is not isolated from the main frame, causing engine noise to be the dominant background noise;[14] notwithstanding the implications for safety (audibility of warning signals etc.), and the potential for hearing damage in the long term, the conditions drivers face led to threats of industrial action in the UK in 2007,[15] and an agreement for increased pay for drivers using this type of locomotive[16] (in Norway). By modifying using noise absorbing materials EMD succeeded in meeting TSI Noise Certification standards in 2008.[17] Tests on retrofitted cooling systems and improved seating have been carried out on some UK locomotives.[18][19]

ETCS Equipment

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Between 2006 and 2010, 12 locomotives belonging to Mitsui Capital Rail Europe (MRCE), operating in the Netherlands and Germany, were equipped with ETCS, principally to allow them to work on the equipped Betuweroute, comprising the ETCS Level 1 "Havenspoorlijn" in the Rotterdam harbour area and the ETCS Level 2 "A15" route linking Rotterdam to the German border.[citation needed][note 4]. The MRCE locomotives were sold to Beacon Rail in 2015. Commencing in 2015, 15 locomotives owned by Ascendos Rail Leasing and 10 locomotives owned and operated by Crossrail Benelux were equipped with ETCS.

Idle reduction

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As a fuel-saving and wear-reduction measure operator DB Schenker Rail UK is to fit ninety of its fleet with automatic engine stop start technology by the end of 2015. The modification is provided by ZTR Control Systems of London, Ontario and is expected to reduce engine running hours by about one-third.[20]

Operators

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Freightliner PL EMD JT42CWRM #66001 at the station in Ruhland Germany (May 2008)

Europe

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Certification (homologation) is needed for each country of operation. The locos were initially given a temporary certificate for use in France,[note 5] and full certification came in 2009[22] (they had previously operated in France on some routes), Romanian certification came in 2007[23] The class is certified for operation in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Poland and Denmark. As of 1 January 2009, certification for use in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was pending.

Africa

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They are operated in Egypt by the Egyptian National Railways. They are operated on the Trans-Gabon Railway.

List of operators

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Owner Operator Countries Designation Total Comments
Beacon Rail (15)
Halifax Asset Finance (33)
Eversholt Rail Group (85)
Porterbrook (60)
Lloyds Bank (4)[24]
Colas Rail
DB Cargo UK
Direct Rail Services
Freightliner
GB Railfreight
Great Britain Class 66 455 See details in the British Rail Class 66 article
Euro Cargo Rail[25] France Class 66
Class 77
120 65 from parent company DB Cargo UK.
60 further locomotives during 2009 designated Class 77.
Alpha Trains Freightliner PL (FPL)[26] Poland Class 66[27] 7[28] Part of Freightliner
CB Rail[29]
formerly Porterbrook
Rail4Chem Benelux (R4CB) Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) 26
Heavy Haul Power International (HHPI) Germany
Crossrail Benelux Belgium
Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) Germany Class 266
ERS Railways (ERSR) Netherlands
Railion Nederland (RN)
Deutsche Leasing[29] Rail4Chem Benelux (R4CB) Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) 1
Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Egypt[4][30] 2120[31] 40[30] First non-European customer, for passenger use.
GM/Opel leasing[29] Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) Germany Class 266 2
GM/GMAC leasing[29] Heavy Haul Power International (HHPI) 1
Eversholt Rail Group[29] TGOJ Trafik (TGOJ)[32] Sweden T66 713[33] 1[33] Leased to IKEA rail AB, from 2012–07 to Rush Rail source
CFL Cargo DK[34] Denmark T66K 714 "Krudthornet" 1 Transferred to CFL Cargo DK in Padborg in 2010 (SE, DK ATC)
CargoNet (CN) Norway CD66[35] 6[36] Problems with driver cabin conditions (see above)
Named Di9 as per Di series in procurement documents,[37] in practice also called CD 66
To be replaced by Vossloh Euro 4000s on the Nordland Line[citation needed]
Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) Germany Class 266 5
ERS Railways (ERSR) Netherlands 5
KBC lease group[29] Crossrail Benelux Belgium 4
MRCE[29] ~5
ERS Railways (ERSR) Netherlands ~6
Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) Germany Class 266 ~2
Afzet Container Transport System (ACTS) Netherlands 1
Dortmunder Eisenbahn (DE) Germany
Veolia Cargo / Connex (VC) Netherlands & France
Trainsport AG (TS) Belgium
Rail4Chem (R4C) Germany
NedTrain Netherlands
Setrag Gabon 6 Two units built 2008, shipped July 2011.[38] Four further units built and exported by 2012.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Klass 66: a play on the English word "class" and the Dutch boys' name "Klaas" and the word SantaKlaus (Dutch:'Sinterklaas'). The nickname came about because the first engine delivered to the Netherlands (HGK DE61) was painted red, a colour normally associated with Santa.[citation needed]
  2. ^ In 2005 General Motors sold its locomotive manufacturing division (EMD), the organisation is now named Electro Motive Diesel or EMD
  3. ^ The individual bogies are articulated rather than having two bogies connected with a Beugniot lever or equivalent
  4. ^ Bombardier "EBICab2000" ETCS. Includes ATB-EG specific transmission module (STM) for conventional Dutch lines and the PZB STM for Germany. A separate "Memor" unit is installed for Belgian operation.[citation needed]
  5. ^ Various modifications were required, including some additional to the fitment of the local train safety systems[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Class 66 :: Electro-Motive Diesel JT42CWR". class66.railfan.nl. Rogier Immers. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. ^ "CROSSRAIL Class 66 in Marienborn". YouTube.
  3. ^ "JT42CWRM Fact Sheet" (PDF). Electro-Motive Diesels.
  4. ^ a b "Commissioning of Egyptian JT42CWRM begins". Railway Gazette International. 20 May 2009.
  5. ^ "DB Schenker withdraws last Class 217 locomotives", Railway Herald (306): 37, 14 March 2012
  6. ^ "Locomotive Makes Aviation History". Journal of Commerce. 31 July 1994. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Class 66 (subsection 'History')". railfan.nl.
  8. ^ a b "Akiem adds Class 77s to lease fleet". Railway Gazette International. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  9. ^ Roden, Andrew (September 2008). "EMD plans new route for Class 66". International Railway Journal – via findarticles.com.
  10. ^ "EMD to produce passenger demonstrator loco", Railway Gazette International, 4 October 2011, archived from the original on 24 September 2015, retrieved 4 October 2011, Meanwhile, EMD confirms that it has dropped plans for the 66EU, which was to have been an updated version of its popular Class 66 freight locomotive specifically adapted for the Continental European market
  11. ^ Swenson, C.A.; Scott, R.T. (April 1996). "The effect of locomotive steering bogies on wheel and railwear". Railroad Conference, 1996: 91–100. doi:10.1109/RRCON.1996.507964. S2CID 110212136 – via ieeexplore.ieee.org.
  12. ^ Ahmadian, M.; Huang, Wei (2000). "Effect of self-steering locomotive trucks in improving adhesion on curved tracks". Proceedings of the 2000 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference (Cat. No.00CH37110). pp. 47–61. doi:10.1109/RRCON.2000.869987. ISBN 0-7803-6328-0. S2CID 109630742 – via ieexplore.ieee.org.
  13. ^ "EMD Class 66 Product information sheet" (PDF). EMD.
  14. ^ "The implications of the physical agents directive (noise): summary" (PDF). Rail Safety & Standards board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2005.
  15. ^ "Boycott threat over 'dirty' locos". BBC News. 30 April 2007.
  16. ^ "Agreement between the NLF and CargoNet" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  17. ^ Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD). "Updated Class 66 European Locomotive is First to Achieve TSI Noise Certification in Europe" (Press release) – via PRNewsWire.
  18. ^ "Positive moves on Class 66 cabs". ASLEF. 21 March 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  19. ^ "Update on SQUASH". ASLEF. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  20. ^ "Class 66 locos to get engine stop-start technology". Railway Gazette International. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  21. ^ "Details of Class 66 modifications made for working in France". esg-railconsultancy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  22. ^ EMD. "(EMD) Announces French Homologation Has Been Achieved For the Euro Cargo Rail Class 66 Locomotives" (Press release).
  23. ^ EMD. "Electro-Motive Diesels (EMD) certifies its Class 66 (JT42CWRM) locomotive in Romania" (Press release).
  24. ^ "Diesel Locomotives". AbRail Rail Databases. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012.
  25. ^ "ECR locomotives railfaneurope.net". Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  26. ^ "Freightliner PL". Freightliner.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009.
  27. ^ "Angel Trains Enters the Polish Rail Freight Market" (Press release). 23 February 2007.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Angel Trains presentation" – via mtgsa.pl.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g "The Definitive Fleet List of Euro Class 66 locos - giving works numbers, running numbers, names, operators and international IDs. (up to November 2007)" (PDF). therailwaycentre.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ^ a b Electro-Motive Diesel. "Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc (EMD) Rolls Out The New JT42CWRM for Egyptian National Railways (ENR)" (Press release).
  31. ^ "ENR locomotives and shunters". railfaneurope.net. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Locomotive listing on sub-page". TGOJ Trafik (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 6 May 2001.
  33. ^ a b "TGOJ locomotives". Railfaneurope.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  34. ^ "(home)". Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2011.[full citation needed]
  35. ^ "CargoNet diesellokomotiv type CD66". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  36. ^ "Norwegian rolling stock database page (with images)".
  37. ^ "Årlig møte med ledelsen i CargoNet AS TILSYNSRAPPORT (annual audit report) CargoNet 2002" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ "World rolling stock market September 2011", Railway Gazette International, 26 September 2011, archived from the original on 4 March 2016, retrieved 26 September 2011

Literature

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