The Class 66 Mainline Diesel Locomotive was conceived in a General Motors design workshop in Illinois USA in the mid 1980s. At that time, the company had already begun building GM848002-1 or as most will know it: the Class 59.

During the design phase, much consultation took and finally resulting in EMD using their SD-70MAC product as a basis for the new locomotives. In early 1997, 66001 began production at the EMD plant in London, Ontario, Canada.

The introduction of the Type 5 Class 66 locomotive has lead to a complete demise of most other locomotive classes. Operation is a monopoly for the Class 66 in many areas of Britain today rendering them less favoured among Railway Enthusiasts.

Repaint by Paul S.