@tmayco Unfortunately you mixed up some data. Class 66 gets 3000 hp to the rail, the engine has 3300. The 56 had a 3250 hp engine but only got 2400 to the rail. Also, the 66 has more traction than the 56 - up to 408 kN during launch compared to 275 kN, continuous 260 kN vs 240 kN. I totally agree with you about the looks though.
66 is 409 kilonewtons max TE, or in old money, over 91'000 pounds. Continuous TE is over 58'000 lbs. If I remember correctly, a 56 produces a mere 55'000 lbs max starting TE. Im just going by the figures I see!! A 66 has a lower max speed hence the higher TE as its geared lower. Its always been common knowledge that a shed is between a 56 and 60 in terms of haulage capacity. A 66/6 is close to a 60.
This is true. Because if you fitted an MTU turbo set to a valenta (for example) then in reality it would pretty much be like a VP185 or something between the two. All the froth is just turbo scream, lordz ;)
I wish I was a driver back in the 90's, unfortunately the most powerfull thing I get to drive is a poxy 333 electric :( Bring back loco haul - all is forgiven!
So your saying a 66 is somewhere between a 56 and a 60 in terms of haulage? Never known a 66 handle anything that a 56 couldnt I've seen both classes hauling up to around 2600 tonnes but rarely anything more. The acceleration of a 56 on an MGR also appears to be slightly faster than a 66 on the same train.
None of the original batch of 56's from Electroputere survived? Amazingly Electroputere still mention the 56's they made on their Web site. A little susprising, given that BR had problems with them.
You are joking, right?? Its a Ruston v16RKT, its origins are actualy from the class 50 lump, infact the block is nearly identical. The 2 Napier turbo's give it the racket.
56 and 66 have comparable tractive effort, horsepower and the same top speed. Not only on paper, but when it comes to hauling coal. The load restrictions for both a 56 and a 66 on a Lindsey oil train is 2700 tonnes I believe.
I hate to piss on your parade but a 56 has alot less tractive effort than a 66! A 56 would not cope with the load out of peak forest of a 66. A 66 was never intended to out-do a 60. Its a mixed traffic work horse and does what it was designed to do well. The build qaulity is shit but they got us out of a hole as all our stuff was clapped out and life expired.
