Current and Proposed New-Builds

The 66s have now been in service longer than the WR diesel hydraulics were

 

That’s because they actually work

Tom

 

Probably something to do with them being a sorted design - how unlike the early BR paraffin cans.
Preserving a 66 will be a different order of magnitude from one of our home-grown machines. Software experts are likely to be more in demand than diesel fitters.
Pat

 

also longer in use than....The Leader!!

 

"Paraffin Cans"..not heard that before....HS2..will that be a heritage line when/if it's finished?

 

I think that beats the Class 24, if you exclude the duds... (basically, anything NBL). Definitely exceeds the service life of the Deltics... whilst the Class 37 is heading to steam-level longevity!

 

Derogatory term, used in the same way kettle is used to describe a steam loco.

 

Would the NRM count as they've already got 66779 lined up for preservation?

At risk of further derailing the thread there's few modern locos with a stronger case for preservation than the 66s. They're ubiquitous.

 

I'm certain that several will get preserved. How about the Bluebell taking one as they worked the spoil trains when the infilled cutting was being dug out for their extension?

runs and hides!!

 

Black 5's were once ubiquitous.
Pat

 

And it's probably a reflection of that in how many ended up preserved. Especially as 2/3rds were preserved directly rather than rescued from Barry.

 

Am I right in thinking that unlike locomotives that are part of the National Railway Museum, most Class 66s are not owned by UK as a nation to determine retirement into preservation - unless sold for reuse?

 

Err … no thankyou!

Tom

 

My point was that they can be gone before you know it. I believe that the largest class of steam locos in GB was a LNWR goods (the DX?); not exactly tripping over them now are we.
Pat

 

943 built, none preserved...

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

They still are

 

I don't think so. I believe that the powers exist to require preservation of certain items, regardless of ownership, on account of their historical importance. This is not restricted to items that were once BR property, or are owned by a government owned business (e.g. DRS), but applies to assets that are entirely privately owned.

 

The 91 preserved was in private ownership before withdrawal from service wasn't it?

 

It was - and has been since the mid-1990s. My point was about assets that have never been government owned.

 

I could see a case for an early 59, but no one will miss the 66s.

Simon