DB Class 66

The DB Class 66 (German: Baureihe 66) was a class of two Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) locomotives designed for fast goods train and passenger train services on the main and branch lines of Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB), the national railway of the former West Germany.

DB Class 66
Locomotive 66 002 in Bochum-Dahlhausen
Number(s)	DB 66 001–002
Quantity	2
Manufacturer	Henschel
Year(s) of manufacture	1955
Retired	1968
Wheel arrangement	2-6-4T
Axle arrangement	1′C2′ h2t
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)
Length over buffers	14,750 mm (48 ft 4 ^3⁄4 in)
Service weight	93.4 t (91.9 long tons; 103.0 short tons)
Adhesive weight	47.1 t (46.4 long tons; 51.9 short tons)
Axle load	15.8 t (15.6 long tons; 17.4 short tons)
Top speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Indicated Power	861 kW (1,155 hp)
Driving wheel diameter	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Leading wheel diameter	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ^3⁄8 in)
Trailing wheel diameter	850 mm (2 ft 9 ^1⁄2 in)
No. of cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder bore	470 mm (18 ^1⁄2 in)
Piston stroke	660 mm (26 in)
Boiler Overpressure	16 bar (1.60 MPa; 232 psi)
Grate area	1.96 m^2 (21.1 sq ft)
Superheater area	45.13 m^2 (485.8 sq ft)
Evaporative heating area	87.46 m^2 (941.4 sq ft)

History

The Class 66 were one of several newly designed locomotive classes, the so-called Neubauloks, built for the DB after the Second World War. The 66s had a top speed of 100 km/h and an axle load of only 15 tonnes which made them ideally suited to such duties. They were intended to replace the former state railway (Länderbahn) locomotives of DRG classes 38.10 (ex-Prussian P 8), 78 (ex-Prussian T 18) and 93 (ex-Prussian T 14). However increasing competition from diesel locomotives meant that no more engines were built after the two prototype, even though they fully met all expectations and were a very successful design. The Class 66 was the penultimate locomotive class to be built as part of the DB's Neubaulok construction programme.

Design

The engines were equipped with a welded, high-performance boiler with a combustion chamber, roller bearings, a mixer preheater and a welded plate frame. Because great emphasis was placed on the working conditions for the engine driver and stoker, the Class 66 had a fully enclosed driver's cab, skylights, floor heating and upholstered seats with back rests. From autumn 1967 both engines were fitted equipment for working push-pull services.

Locomotive number 66 001 was retired in 1967 due to damage to its drive, and stored at Gießen; the second engine was retired in 1968.

Preservation

DB 66 002 at the Bochum-Dahlhausen Railway Museum (1982)

Locomotive 66 002 was bought after its retirement by the German Railway History Company (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte or DGEG) and is currently (2007) homed in Bochum-Dahlhausen Railway Museum.

See also

• List of DB locomotives and railbuses

Sources

• Modelleisenbahner: Prestige Projekt - 66.002. Mai 2007, Seite 26 - 29