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Bachmann Europe PLC the distributors of the Aristocraft range of Garden Railway products today announced that the tooling for the Class 66 diesel locomotive has been completed and test shots produced.
394 Class 66 locomotives were built in America and Canada by General Motors (now EMD) for service in Britain between October 1997 and September 2005. All remain in service with the exception of Freightliner locomotive No. 66521 damaged beyond repair at Heck. Examples are in service with DRS, EWS, Freightliner and GBrf in the UK. Additionally a further 46 locomotives are in service with operators in mainland Europe and Scandanavia. Further locomotives (Class 66/9) to a slightly different design are currently being delivered.
The model which is to 1/29th scale and suitable for use on Gauge 1 and G scale railways is superbly engineered and includes ball bearings on all axles, 2 motors on each power bogie, interior cab lighting to show the cab interiors, DCC and RRC ports fitted, an operating smoke unit and bright LED directional lighting featuring both headlight styles. Four versions will be available initially and these include EWS and Freightliner versions. The model is expected to be available in the Spring.
Graham Hubbard, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe Plc said today "this model is very impressive and runs superbly. We have worked closely with Aristocraft to ensure that this model lives up to expectations. We believe its release in the Spring will coincide with the building of many new garden railways next Summer".
Intermodal twin container wagons are also being developed by Aristocraft to support the Class 66 locomotive.