Prototype Evening Star - Class 66 GBRf

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Hi All,

We had to go to Locomotion yesterday to drop of some prints and things for Chris's exhibition and while we were there they had Evening Star there to commemorate the release of the Locomotion Models boxed set of both versions.

Although not of great interest to me I thought it rude not to take advantage of the lack of crowds to take a few photos.

42438167744_5e4d78af30_b.jpg


42438169164_7a7da2ac23_b.jpg


42438140214_38e317bfc6_b.jpg


43156142151_e433d570c5_b.jpg


29285214618_182ee8ba9c_b.jpg


29285213238_abff218048_b.jpg


29285215758_260f9aa196_b.jpg


43156148651_b34bed09ff_b.jpg


28287126537_71ce2ed75d_b.jpg


41345684110_2790241700_b.jpg


28287127897_e356fc33f4_b.jpg


28287129077_a428bf6851_b.jpg


41345690850_7a50d49835_b.jpg


41345692420_b476367676_b.jpg


41345691910_1f898d9f7e_b.jpg
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Forgive my ignorance, but this is way outside my period or area of knowledge. (But I like the livery:)).

What is the significance of calling this loco "Evening Star" and what's written on the plate below the nameplate?

Brian
 

mth

Western Thunderer
Forgive my ignorance, but this is way outside my period or area of knowledge. (But I like the livery:)).

What is the significance of calling this loco "Evening Star" and what's written on the plate below the nameplate?

Brian
If I got this right.
It's the Last class 66 that was built. Like the 9F the last of an era as new rulings now provent any more being made.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Oh - right. That makes some sort of sense. Nice bit of heritage/throw back there.:)

Thanks for the advice.

B
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
There is one major ruling which prevents more class 66 being built and that's emissions. Class 66 can only achieve Tier 2 and the current ruling is Tier 4.

The ruling only applies to new buildings but GBRf and many other railroads in the US played smart and ordered small batches of Tier 2 engines but on the contract left proviso for future orders, usually a given number. These could then be ordered later, sometimes years in the case of GBRf and still be legal.

More significantly the Tier 4 regulations make it near, if not actually, impossible for the old EMD 2 stroke engine to be compatible. The class 66 and other US 710 engine block derivatives will be the last in a long line of engines grandfathered by the world class 567 engine first seen before WWII in the FT.

EMD was bought out by Caterpillar but remains a separate industry, though probably in name only. This union allowed EMD access to large 4 stroke technology and Caterpillar to the rail business. Their first Tier 4 engine now runs in the SD70ACe-T4 and having seen and heard a couple in Cajon pass sound pretty darn good, giving the GE's a good run for their money in stack bark.

If you think 779 is nice then check out their latest acquisitions, these are old EWS engines and although numbered higher are indeed older Tier 1 engines. Some have been repainted in striking liveries, the best so far being 789 in old BR large logo, looks rather nice i think but as yet hasn't been to the Port, well not before I'd left to go overseas.
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Forgive my ignorance, but this is way outside my period or area of knowledge. (But I like the livery:)).

What is the significance of calling this loco "Evening Star" and what's written on the plate below the nameplate?

Brian

If I got this right.
It's the Last class 66 that was built. Like the 9F the last of an era as new rulings now provent any more being made.

Hi Brian,

Matt has it, it's the last Class 66 to be built and Locomotion Models have just done a limited edition boxed set which includes this and the 9F together.

I agree with others in that although not really my interest, it is quite striking.
 

76043

Western Thunderer
I don't quite know what to make of this one, it's kind of nostalgia gone a little awry. I know why they have done it, it's marketing, but the links are a bit tenuous. It's not the last US built diesel loco ever, so why link it to the last steam loco built by BR?

The end of that series of locos is a good thing because of the environmental impact they have, maybe the same could be said of steam. But only today I saw vast black clouds coming from a HST moving off.

I think the marketing dept at GBRF were a bit desperate for some PR, but it obviously has worked, so top marks to them.
Tony
 
Last edited:

76043

Western Thunderer
The shedplate on it looks like 82F, I believe this may have been Weymouth or Bridport at various points. Anyone know why 82F was chosen and why have such a shedplate on it?
 

mth

Western Thunderer
I don't quite know what to make of this one, it's kind of nostalgia gone a little awry. I know why they have done it, it's marketing, but the links are a bit tenuous. It's not the last US built diesel loco ever, so why link it to the last steam loco built by BR?

The end of that series of locos is a good thing because of the environmental impact they have, maybe the same could be said of steam. But only today I saw vast black clouds coming from a HST moving off.

I think the marketing dept at GBRF were a bit desperate for some PR, but it obviously has worked, so top marks to them.
Tony
Add to this, some of GBRF Managerment are a bunch of spotters/enthusiast's.......

EDIT:- Allegedly........
 

Sheffield

Member
I agree it looks smart, and I am glad it will be saved for the NRM, assuming that body is still interested by then. This class of loco marked a major turning point for the UK's railways.
The collection can not remain static and needs new exhibits from time to time.
Also it is good to see some positive news for the railways.
 

Blueeighties

Western Thunderer
Indeed...engines are sound, tried and tested. However the other bits are a different matter entirely, I believe a few are dumped at Toton with terminal chassis defects.
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Given the propensity of EMD to design engines and parts of engines that last a life time I'd not be surprised if class 66 got to 30 and maybe 40.

You've only have to look at the EMD variants of GP9, GP38, GP40, GP60 and SD numbers still in service in the US.
 

djparkins

Western Thunderer
A sad and depressing thought of having to drive them for another 20 years!! :(:confused:

True, I don't have to drive a Class 66, but I imagine it is still probably just a bit better than firing an 8F up The Long Drag on an icy and rainy January night!

I recall sitting opposite an older driver from Saltley depot in 1980 as he was travelling back from Brum to Wolverhampton on a train. He was interested in some etching samples I had just picked up and was looking at - Class 56. He said I'm pleased it's a diesel. He said he loved his work once steam was scrapped. He thought the steam locomotive was the 'invention of the devil'.

I have to say that aesthetically, I love the 66s - same with the Class 68s and Class 70s. They look a damn sight more pleasing to my eye, at least, than many of the terrible pilot-scheme diesels and several steam locomotives I can think of.

I think there is interest aplenty in today's railway scene. Here are some good S & C links - these Railcams will give those of you that really love railways some great entertainment - watch in conjuction with the Realtime Trains link - just type in the name of the station you want to check out train movements for [including freight] - Horton-in- Ribblesdale, Ribblehead or Kirkby Stephen and choose the 24 hour time period.

horton
ribblehead3
ribblehead
ksw
+
Realtime Trains | Search | Advanced

Check in at around 1-30 - 3pm on most weekdays to the third link down for some nice freight action to the backdrop of Whernside, and in the summer there are even 'Kettles' once or twice a day on three or four days of the week.

DJP/MMP
 
Top