Revolution and Trains4U announce new Class 66

The models, 66723 Chinook and 66775 HMS Argyll will be sold in a packaged twin-set priced at £325.00 for DC silent models, and all sales will include a donation to The Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC.)

Expected to be delivered during the second half of next year, the models feature the ESU E24 Nano decoder interface, allowing for fully authentic sound features, and although sold as DC Silent models, all include a factory-fitted speaker, allowing for a plug-and-play sound upgrade.

Revolution’s Ben Ando said: “Revolution has previously supported the Royal British Legion, through sales of its ‘Poppy Pendolino’, and we are delighted to be able to do the same for other important charities in the military family.”

Trains4U owner Gareth Helliwell said: “GBRf has a major presence in Peterborough, and I am delighted to be able to offer these locomotives, which are a familiar sight across the network. 

In addition, I am keen to recognise our debt to the armed forces and we are guaranteeing a minimum donation of at least £1500 to each of these good causes.”

About the prototype

66723 Chinook was named in 2008 while in First colours, then received a stylish GBRf reworking in 2017. It now carries a nameplate featuring the crests of the three squadrons flying the heavy-lift helicopter, plus a large bodyside silhouette, along with other embellishments.

66775 HMS Argyll was named in a ceremony at Devonport in 2017 and carries the ship’s crest adjacent to the driver’s cab at the No1 end on each side, and has the ship’s number F231 on the side.

66723 was one of GBRf’s first batch of Tier 1 (low emission) locomotives, incorporating ‘bug-eye’ lights, while 66775 was among the very last Class 66s built at EMD’s plant in Muncie, Indiana, and has revised front end contouring and lights. The models will accurately depict these variations.

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