The two Class 66 2-6-4T locomotives, completed at the famous Henschel works in Kassel during
1955, were the last new steam locomotives built for the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB). On a light
16 tonne axleload, able to run at 100 km/h equally well in either direction, throughly modern
in every detail and blessed with a particularly free-steaming boiler, they proved a fitting
finale. Germany over the years produced many fine steam locomotives, and was a considerable
influence on design in other countries, but these two comparatively small tank locomotives
perhaps were finest of all. They proved to be cracking performers, able to compete on equal
terms with much larger and more powerful locomotives, often described concisely as
'Kraftpaketen' a word which scarcely requires translation. The second, 66 002, presently is to
be found at the DGEG Bochum-Dahlhausen museum, near Essen, and is now the subject of 'Projekt
66 002', an appeal to raise money for its return to working order, which surely is something
greatly to be desired. For more information, go to www.eisenbahnmuseum-bochum.de
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All railway art is for viewing only and is copyrighted to Robin Barnes 2002.
The railway art may not be reproduced in any way without written permission from the
artist.
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