Class 66
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Introduction
The Class 66s (also known as Sheds, Freds, Dreds and Bluebirds) work all over the UK, 250 of them work for DB Schenker, approximately 100 for Freightliner, 19 for DRS, 78 for GBRf and 5 for Colas Rail. All of these companies' 66s visit Scotland on a daily basis.DB Schenker
66111 » 66111 heading the daily freight. Photo taken between Tulloch and Fort William Photo by bigtukker
Workings
The 66s that work for DB Schenker can be found on a variety of duties, including the following:Coal
- New Cumnock to South
Enterprise
- Mossend to Aberdeen
- Mossend to Fort William
- Mossend to Grangemouth
West Highland Line
Class 66s have been active on the West Highland line to Fort William since mid 2000.The Only DB Class 66s which are are permitted on the West Highland Line are 66100-114.
They are not usually permitted on the Oban branch, however, 66107 worked ballast train (6K16) to Dalmally on 13 February 2008.
They are also used for engineering trains from Mossend, Carlisle and Millerhill.
Around 100 class 66s have been exported to Poland and France. The France class 66s occasionally return to the UK for the RHTT season and for repairs at Toton.
66048 is the only class 66 out of traffic for DBS following its derailment at Carrbridge back in 2010 and its been sold
So far, 22 class 66s have been repainted into the DB livery and they are:
66001, 66009, 66017, 66019, 66020, 66041, 66044, 66055, 66066, 66082, 66085, 66097, 66101, 66114, 66118, 66128, 66136, 66149, 66150, 66152, 66185, 66206
Freightliner
66613 at Ferryhills » 66613 works a southbound cement train. Photo by bob62C
Workings
Coal
- Killoch to South
- New Cumnock to South
Freightliner acquired 66411 - 420 from DRS, only a handful of 66s have been exported to Poland.
In 2016, they were no longer used on cement traffic. Colas rail run this using class 60s
DRS
Workings
Intermodal
- Daventry to Mossend/Coatbridge/Grangemouth
- Grangemouth to Aberdeen
- Mossend to Inverness
DRS at one point had 66401 - 420 but they have since gone to GBRF and freightliner.
GBRf
66728 with 6S44 » 66728 passing Red House Castle, Nr Longniddry, with the Alcan tanks from Blyth to Fort William. 22 February 2010 Photo by KeithSanders
Workings
Alcan
- North Blyth to Fort William
GBRF acquired more class 66s from DRS, Colas and freightliner. 66734 is the only 66 out of traffic for GBRF and it is currently sitting on the banks of Loch Treig on the WHL since July 2012 following a derailment, it has now been scrapped on site.
In 2016, they were used on the Royal Scotsman and caledonian sleepers following changes to certain contracts