The arrival of any brand new model locomotive from one of the major manufacturers is always a cause for excitement and speculation. Especially now that standards are high and expectations higher still. For me, modelling the current scene, the Bachmann 66 has been enthusiastically awaited since its production was announced some time ago. Whatever one's views of this interloper from the New World, it now dominates the railway unlike any other single locomotive class, and no modern-image layout would be complete without a stud of them. I have on order three different EWS versions, two freightliner examples, and one each of the GBRf and DRS machines. If the model disappointed it would have been bitter indeed.
I need not have worried. My first example (66 135) arrived yesterday (23rd April 2005) and it is superb. I am no rivet-counter, but to my eyes, it captures the prototype beautifully. Place it on the rails and open the throttle, and it is clear it has a mechanism to match its looks; smooth, powerful and responsive. It handled an extremely heavy rake of 30 loaded HAAs and has been busy with 16 HTAs. I have now given it some light weathering, and await the next deliveries with excitement.
Must I now follow prototype practice and bid farewell to some old friends? I think modeller's licence permits me some latitude here...
PS: Since penning the above, I have taken delivery of a further two EWS 66 (renumbered by my friend Matt of Norwood Park fame), and two of each of the GBRf and Freightliner models. On delivery, each locomotive is renumbered (if necessary), weathered and given additional pickups to enhance performance (again, following a tutorial by Matt).
Click here for a video clip of 66 135 charging through the Yorkshire countryside with a train of loaded HTAs:- 66135 hta.MOV
*** STOP PRESS ***
Southwest Digital (www.southwestdigital.co.uk) have now added the class 66 to its range of DCC sound decoders. Installation is simplicity itself (there being room in the body, above the weight, to incorporate two speakers, one of which I have facing down through the bogie aperture, the other of which faces up), and the results bring the locomotive to life. I have added two clips to the video downloand section, but here is an appetiser; 66 703 (on hire to EWS) restarts a train of empty JGAs from a signal check:- http://webzoom.freewebs.com/doncaster/66703 - startup.AVI
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