European Class 66's to UK

[Trainman40083]

66311 earning it's keep on the Bescot to Stud Farm this week. Are any more due to enter service soon?

I think 66313 is having work done at Longport, 66314 and 66315 at Doncaster but have not yet been to Longport, and 66316 yet to arrive in the UK.

 

[kennythelad]

I think 66313 is having work done at Longport, 66314 and 66315 at Doncaster but have not yet been to Longport, and 66316 yet to arrive in the UK.

66315 has been at Longport for about a month, now.

 

[Trainman40083]

66315 has been at Longport for about a month, now.

I must have missed that one come through then. Last time I saw it, it was being moved from Loughborough to Doncaster.

 

[nigelsporne]

Thanks for the update.
Will 16 be the last arrival from Europe for the foreseeable future? There were going to be a further three I believe but will these come with the not too distant arrival of the Class 99s?

 

[Trainman40083]

Thanks for the update.
Will 16 be the last arrival from Europe for the foreseeable future? There were going to be a further three I believe but will these come with the not too distant arrival of the Class 99s?

I've only heard of up to 66316, myself.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I have heard rumours 66316 might not happen. Not very definite.

 

[Sonyman66]

I went out on Tuesday to photograph 66311 leaving Cliffe Hill Stud Farm to Bescot

 

[Peter Sarf]

66313 getting near to action ?
Apparently dragged by 69006 to Doncaster RR on 0E70 from Longport.

Realtime Trains | 0E70 1438 Longport F.D. to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 25/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 0E70 1438 departure from Longport F.D. to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 25/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

With 66790/91/92 & 59003 now on loan from GBRf to COLAS it would appear that GBRf's power shortage may be over (at least in the short term). There has been mention elsewhere that COLAS want more 66s, but where will they come from - existing UK locos or imports ??

 

[D365]

With 66790/91/92 & 59003 now on loan from GBRf to COLAS it would appear that GBRf's power shortage may be over (at least in the short term). There has been mention elsewhere that COLAS want more 66s, but where will they come from - existing UK locos or imports ??

Class 69 … (very much said in jest)

 

[The_Train]

Class 69 … (very much said in jest)

In fairness, I believe this was being looked at as an option for Colas but presumably we've run out of donor 56s now. Maybe the "ongoing" 60 project at Longport might become a feasible solution for Colas long term?

Alternatively, did I not hear rumblings of DRS no longer requiring the on loan 66s they have from DB - maybe they could switch lease to Colas?

 

[Peter Sarf]

66313 in action

Realtime Trains | 0Z21 1057 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Ferme Park Rec Ln Gbrf | 31/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 0Z21 1057 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Ferme Park Rec Ln Gbrf on 31/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

then

Realtime Trains | 4Z22 1336 Ferme Park Rec Ln Gbrf to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf | 31/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 4Z22 1336 departure from Ferme Park Rec Ln Gbrf to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf on 31/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Sarf]

66314 out and about overnight on 6L63 Barnby to March, picked up at Doncaster, first use in action ?.

Realtime Trains | 6L63 2030 Barnby Dun Roc. Glass Gbrf to March Up Yard Gbrf | 11/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 6L63 2030 departure from Barnby Dun Roc. Glass Gbrf to March Up Yard Gbrf on 11/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[JKF]

66311 was out last Saturday (9/11/24) working a route learner up to Portbury Coal Terminal and back. Likely new ground for the imported fleet.

 

[nigelsporne]

66313 has kindly ventured into the Midlands on a Birch Coppice diagram. Just got to wait for 314 to do something similar.

 

[ExRes]

Reported on WNXX this evening that, subject to shipping arrangements, 29003 is due into the UK on 3rd December for conversion to 66316

 

[Sun Chariot]

Reported on WNXX this evening that, subject to shipping arrangements, 29003 is due into the UK on 3rd December for conversion to 66316

Excellent. Thanks. Does the source know which UK port of arrival?

 

[ExRes]

Excellent. Thanks. Does the source know which UK port of arrival?

Nothing mentioned as yet but I guess Immingham has to be worth a punt

 

[Sun Chariot]

Nothing mentioned as yet but I guess Immingham has to be worth a punt

Thanks. Curses, wrong end of the UK for me.

 

[170UTD]

Reported on WNXX this evening that, subject to shipping arrangements, 29003 is due into the UK on 3rd December for conversion to 66316

Any idea how many more are coming over?

 

[ExRes]

Any idea how many more are coming over?

That's the last of the sixteen and I've seen no rumours of any more

 

[43096]

That's the last of the sixteen and I've seen no rumours of any more

Last of the 11 in the Akiem batch.

 

[nigelsporne]

There were reports some time ago when the European 66s were first mooted for three additional 66s, numbered 66997/8/9. These were shown on the WNXX database. However whether this is still true with the advent of the 69s and more recently the 99s I don't know.

 

[43096]

There were reports some time ago when the European 66s were first mooted for three additional 66s, numbered 66997/8/9. These were shown on the WNXX database. However whether this is still true with the advent of the 69s and more recently the 99s I don't know.

Weren't those numbers used for European 66s that came over here for maintenance work and have subsequently gone back again?

 

[Trainman40083]

There were reports some time ago when the European 66s were first mooted for three additional 66s, numbered 66997/8/9. These were shown on the WNXX database. However whether this is still true with the advent of the 69s and more recently the 99s I don't know.

I guess it depends upon what locos are available and what other options there are. In some respects the 69, 93 and 99 may well change things

 

[wickham]

66997/8/9 were indeed European locos that came to EMD Longport for overhaul, shipped in and out via Hull. Apparently the numbers have been retained on TOPS "in case they ever come back again" which seems highly unlikely. Regarding 29003, all of this batch of imports 66306-15 have come in on road trailers via Ro-Ro ships at Immingham and I don't expect 29003 to be any different. It seems doubtful that there will be any more European 66 imports although it is always possible. Events have overtaken us, what with the Class 69 conversions and the new Class 99s. It does not seem that GBRf are short of power any more as they have lost some work and indeed are well enough off to hire 4 locos to Colas. It is Colas that might want further power (Class 66s having been mentioned) but where they will come from is as yet unknown.

 

[D365]

I can imagine that operators will need ’cover’ for 66s going in for ETCS fitment.

 

[47444]

Can anyone confirm the former European numbers of 66314 and 66315?

TIA

 

[ExRes]

Can anyone confirm the former European numbers of 66314 and 66315?

TIA

77506 & 77505

 

[47444]

77506 & 77505

Thanks