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Caption: EMD built units Class 66 sits in L yard at Mac Yrd awaiting transport to the UK
Direct Rail Services (DRS), a subsidiary of British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) leased Class 66 locomotives from Porterbrook. In 2002, DRS ordered ten Class 66/4 locomotives (66401–410), employed on new Anglo-Scottish traffic, some with Stobart Rail. In 2006, ten more T2 specification units (66411–420) were delivered, a further ten (66421–430) in late 2007, and four more (66431–66434) in 2008.
After the first twenty Class 66s operated by DRS were transferred to Freightliner and GBRF, leaving just 14 in their fleet, DRS leased the five former Fastline Freight locomotives.
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Interesting wider knuckle on those, I wonder if it was a standard feature on that order, or just so equipped for its North American movement?
@MrDan..I can’t remember if they had idler cars to move them from EMD. I think there were specially equipped flt cars that had a NA coupler at one end and a Euro couple at the other. Also the typical “buffers” that most Euro power have not been installed. I looked up the power in service in the UK and the buffers are now on the units.
Are these considered how should I put it, special handling? DO you put them behind the power or anywhere in the train?
@Driver8666. If I remember correctly, these units can in to Mac Yrd on a special train from London. Normally locomotives like these are not up to the same weight and frame strengths are North American power.
That being said, CN does have certain restrictions when it comes to power placement. Until DP became common (still restrictions as to placement of DP power) most freights had all power up front.
Certain classes of CN power ie GP9RM,SW1200RS
and foreign powerare not equipped with aligning couplers, so we have restrictions on these units. CN had a derailment in Pickering a while back where 3 ex GO F59′s that were being shipped to Montreal came off the tracks because of the buff (compressed) forces of the train in heavy dynamic braking coming down the York Sub. The cause was partially blamed on the 3 units together and couplers. Now any power that not a freight locomotive has to be moved with only 1 behind the CN power.
Guess they made a rule from that. I remember when I saw T1 subway cars being shipped to Toronto and they were placed right behind the power. I’d only seen about 5 of them, but in all the cases they were right behind the power. Can you move them (Class 66′s) along with other freight or do they have to be sent to Halifax or the ports in a special train. Sorry if this is all confusing.
Were special trains from GMD common or were they as needed?
@driver8666..no those units were moved on a specific train, not on regular freight.
These moves were on an as needed basis.
Thank you for letting us all know that. I would’ve never guessed.
You are most welcome my friend. I am happy to provide photos and info to those who are interested.