i have put some pics of an EWS class 66 up for people to have a look at, they were taken at a press open day by my dad, the page may take a while to load as i just stuck them all on one page. EWS class 66
For those who do not know, the EWS class 66 are built by General Motors at the London, Ont. plant. My friend and I had an invitation (as model builders) from EWS (English, Welsh and Scottish Railway) to view the prototype last year at Toton depot, Nottingham. I needed to take lots of details and measurements as I am building one in #1 scale for a customer. Since then deliveries have progressed at a swift pace, and most of the 250 locomotive order has arrived here. They are becoming the 'standard' locomotive for general freight duties by EWS (owned by Wisconsin Central). The photographs posted by Matt are some of the large quantity taken during our visit, and yes that is yours truly in the cab! The 66's are based on the SD70M, but you would not guess!! They had to be severely reduced in load gauge and weight to allow them to run here. ------------------ Alan www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com http://eurogallery.homestead.com
Alan, Queston: EWS owned by Wisc. Central??? is that a US company owning a UK RR?? Wouldn't that be like Ferrovia de Mexico buying the BN?? ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
Not quite Britain's freight traffic had declined under nationalisation, to the point that it was almost dying. The track mileage is what you would call a regional, I suppose WC have done a great job in rejuvenating the system, with 250 new locomotives, new freightcars (I think it is Thrall who have set up a freightcar manufacturing factory here), and aggressively gone after new business. So it was really a successful railroad taking over an ailing one. WC also run some railroads in Australia, and elsewhere. Hope the foregoing helps Thanks for the interest. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com http://eurogallery.homestead.com
Hey Alan, With the CN buying WC what is going to come of the EWS? After schooling here in the States I was debating going over there for work (See what our women do to us men?) Thanks for any info you could give me. Do you know of any sites that are of the Welsh Railways through Swansea area? Thank you.
How about: http://members.aol.com/Walesrails/svr.htm http://homepage.ntlworld.com/michael.meyrick/ Hope they help
As Alan has said, these locomotives are basically SD70's with the loading gauge reduced to the British Standard. The cab is also to a British design, BUT... the control stand is a standard U.S. product. Its a standard control stand thats been turned through 180 degrees. To open the throttle you have to PUSH the handle forward and PULL it back to shut it. All other diesels work the other way around, excepting the Class 59, which is basically a SD40-2
I have posted two photos, taken in the mid 80's, of the British Class 59 diesel locos mentioned by Ron. They were the first North American built mainline diesels to be introduced into Britain. John
Thanks for the pics. John. The class 59 are very highly thought of, I understand. But an engine driver (engineer) told me he does not like the class 66's, as they will not load very well. Something to do with the large fuel tank, hence extra weight, making the electrical system inadequate for the job, due to trimming to save weight. He said they were ok for light, fast freights, but not good for heavy trains. Does anyone have any experience or info. on this class? There are an awful lot of them around, here and also in the rest of europe. Some are already passed for use in germany and elsewhere, and it is said that GM is to build 10 units for use in europe, even though they have not been ordered, as they are confident more will be!
When they, the Class 59's, first started to be used on the ARC stone trains to the Stone terminal at Ardingly, just north of Haywards Heath in Sussex, I used to be a second man on these locomotives. They knocked spots off the diesels that we had been using up until then, Class 33's in multiple and Class 56's. These units were all noise and smoke, but negative traction. The 59's just powered their way up the bank without any trouble. Only problem with the 59's was when travelling light engine, the locomotive's engine brake was useless. I have been told that the 66's are very similar. I did not like the cab entrance very much. I'm just over 6 feet tall, and kept banging my head on the top of the door, which was designed for vertically challenged traincrew i.e. 5'8" and below. The majority of drivers that I have spoken to, are of the opinion that they are a definite improvement over earlier models.
