Class 66 (ePub)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
File Size: 35.5 MB (.epub)
Illustrations: 140 colour
ISBN: 9781526776266
Published: 1st July 2020
| Other formats available - Buy the Hardback and get the eBook for £1.99! | Price |
|---|---|
| Class 66 Hardback Add to Basket | £30.00 |
When British Railways (BR) was privatised in April 1994 some of the freight companies were bought by English Welsh Scottish Railways (EWSR), which immediately reviewed the mixed locomotive fleet and led to the decision to purchase 250 locomotives from General Motors (USA), based on that company’s earlier Class 59 design supplied to Foster Yeoman in 1985. Delivered to Newport Docks each locomotive was lubricated, filled with fuel and water and released to traffic within hours of being craned onto the quayside.
The early privatised freight market was geared to the heavy industries but the changes of Government policies to counteract global warming has seen consequent changes in freight operations whilst global trading has seen massive growth in the movement of containers between ports and inland distribution centres.
This changing market has encouraged both existing and new operators to base operations on a reliable locomotive fleet which has been met by the Class 66 design. The expansion of the locomotive’s operating area has been recorded within the book through a regional analysis noting both the freight services operated within the region and the companies providing them. This also notes changes of operators, both by exchange of locomotives and exchange of hauler as contracts are re-negotiated at regular intervals.
Fred Kerr’s book seeks to show, as at October 2019, the range of services that have been operated by class members, including the occasional passenger services despite the locomotives not being fitted with any heat generating equipment.
This book is a fine tribute to the Class 66, and is highly recommended.
Rail Advert
Read the Full Review Here
As featured in
Journal, November/ December 2022
This book is highly recommended, both as a feast of colourful images of these modern locos, and as a benchmark for how to produce an attractive railway photographic album.
West Somerset Railway Association
'SHED' lovers will appreciate renowned railway photographer Fred Kerr's latest album, which features over 250 shots of the UK's most ubiquitous modern freight loco. A nominal amount of text (and useful summary table) details the genesis and ownership of Class 66, but the majority of this book is devoted to images.
Rail Express, July 2021
An interesting and well-documented book in honor of the reliable engines of the working class, belonging to class 66.
Miniaturas JM
Read the full Spanish review here
This book is a photographic reference, full of a number of good quality colour photos of the many guises this workhorse locomotive class has carried over the period since introduced by EWS following BR’s privatisation. The book starts by looking at how the design followed from the lessons learned with the Class 59 fleet and goes on to look at the reasons for EWS ordering the first 250 locomotives. It follows this with brief histories of each of the operators of the class. The book featuring photographs of each of the principal operators of the class from EWS to Freightliner to GBRf and DRS amongst others as well as featuring some of the unique one-off liveries the class has carried over the 20 plus years since they were introduced. Members who model the post-privatisation era have to have some of these ubiquitous locomotives on their layout, and this book provides a very good photographic reference. Well worth considering.
Diesel and Electric Modellers United, Issue 95
… as an illustrated history of the class the book does an excellent job and is worthy of adding to the bookshelf.
Railways Illustrated, February 2021
This photographic tribute to the ubiquitous Class 66 Freight Locomotive would make a fine addition to the library of any self-respecting modern traction enthusiast.
Donnas Book Blog
Read the full review here
A locomotive as good as class 66 deserved a book as good as this. Each of his 144 photographs distills quality. In addition to the photographs it also includes the history of each of the machines.
Unos Cuantos Trenes
Read the full Spanish review here
About Fred Kerr
Fred Kerr is a photographer whose lifelong interest in railways began in Edinburgh during the early 1950s and has continued throughout his life since. His family move to Northamptonshire in 1956 introduced him to the Midland Main Line where the transition from steam to diesel traction became important as Derby Works reflected the change with new locomotives being tested and introduced to service. His early ventures into photography began in 1961 but became established during his University years in the early 1970s. Taking early retirement in 1994 he has spent time working for Colin Garratt, a muse whose inspiration provided opportunities to photograph railway scenes that have proved to be historic as the railway undergoes changes in both its structures and operations.
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