Class 66

[Griff]

After deciding to build a small layout I was thinking about the locomotive stock and would require a few Class 66s. I see Dapol and Farish produce this class so is there anything I should know or are both models capable and reliable.

[crewearpley40]

Thanks for posting. Are you modelling a depot, rail served yard, diorama? What space have you? I would read reviews and this forum is the place for opinions

[monkey_brains]

Both perfectly acceptable models imho - I have a mixed fleet of both of them

Farish quality seems to be a bit better, but you do pay a bit more for it

[Griff]

Thanks for the replies. Looking along the lines of a logging siding a mini Chirk.

[NeMo]

As ever when comparing the two brands, Farish have the better (and more reliable) mechanisms, while the Dapol finish and detailing is slightly better. You pays your money and you takes your choice!

Cheers, NeMo

[monkey_brains]

Farish have the better (and more reliable) mechanisms

In fairness I can't disagree with that - I've had a couple of absolute dogs from Dapol, but no issues to date from Farish in a combined fleet of about 30 class 66s

[Skyline2uk]

Just to add some caveats to this debate:

1) Both Farish and Dapol models have been around long enough now for both to have been updated:

A) Early Farish models of the 66 (including EWS 66135 which I have) have solder tab PCBs making them DCC "Friendly" rather than ready with a DCC plug. These models can also suffer from Farish split-gear syndrome (mine has twice), I believe this maybe related to it being the last U.K. designed model (could be wrong on that?).

B) I think early Dapol 66s (don't have one) are also DCC "friendly" rather than ready, but they certainly do have what appear to be over-scale lamp-irons on their cabs (big white L-sections sticking out).

Both manufactures have since addressed these issues.

2) As a general rule Dapol seem to have released far more liveries than Farish for this loco.

Skyline2uk

[kirky]

B) I think early Dapol 66s (don't have one) are also DCC "friendly" rather than ready, but they certainly do have what appear to be over-scale lamp-irons on their cabs (big white L-sections sticking out).

The earliest Dapol 66 are positively DCC unfriendly. They have no solder tabs let alone a socket, 6 pin or otherwise. I believe they are just about convertible to DCC but its a major operation and really not worth the bother. It wasnt that long before they brought out dcc ready 66s, with 6 pin decoder sockets.

cheers
Kirky

[Skyline2uk]

B) I think early Dapol 66s (don't have one) are also DCC "friendly" rather than ready, but they certainly do have what appear to be over-scale lamp-irons on their cabs (big white L-sections sticking out).

The earliest Dapol 66 are positively DCC unfriendly. They have no solder tabs let alone a socket, 6 pin or otherwise. I believe they are just about convertible to DCC but its a major operation and really not worth the bother. It wasnt that long before they brought out dcc ready 66s, with 6 pin decoder sockets.

cheers
Kirky

Cheers Kirky

As I said, I don't have one so thanks for enlightening me 

Skyline2uk

[ntpntpntp]

Early Dapol 66s were sometimes reported as running slow and/or hot, suffering from stiff factory grease and stiff gearing which  needed stripping and fettling.      I can certainly confirm that was the case with the first Dapol 66 I had. The later model doesn't seem to have had the same problems.

No experience of Farish 66s.

As a continental modeller I have a couple of Kato 66s, fine models but of course to a slightly smaller scale than Farish or Dapol (and not in British liveries).

If it were me and I wanted maybe just one 66 as a "pride of the line", I'd consider a CJM.  My CJM 59 is lovely hand crafted model, much more powerful than the mass produced models.  Expensive of course, has no lights and I believe is not particularly DCC friendly without some work to make space for the decoder.  Not an issue for me though 

[kirky]

If it were me and I wanted maybe just one 66 as a "pride of the line", I'd consider a CJM.  My CJM 59 is lovely hand crafted model, much more powerful than the mass produced models.  Expensive of course, has no lights and I believe is not particularly DCC friendly without some work to make space for the decoder.  Not an issue for me though 

certainly the cjm 66  can be converted to dcc. But Chris of CJM prefers to do this himself and will charge I think £50 including the decoder. I believe he fits Lenz minis. Undoubtedly the best 66 in terms of reliability and pulling power. But as ntpntpntp says, no lights!
cheers
Kirky

[acko22]

Hi All,

My view is Farish mechanism is better,but Dapol detailing is better and they do more varied livery options.
What I will say is that Dapol are in the process of doing some retooling work for next 18 on a lot of the models, what alteration and improvements this will mean I don't know time will tell!

[jpendle]

Chris at CJM is looking to retire so I wouldn't got that route.

Farish are heavier and have better haulage capacity, plus 6 driven axles.

Dapol are light, can't pull as much and have 4 driven axles.

If buying secondhand, or even older new stock, check that the Farish versions have the newer 6 pin decoder socket, saves all that soldering. There is very little room for a wired decoder in the Farish version and although I have now wired around 5 66's some have been a nightmare to get going (eg runs fine with body off after decoder fitting, won't run at all with the body on).

Most Dapol versions, except for the very early ones have a 6 pin decoder socket.

Regards,

John P

[Tonye]

I have got the Bachmann 66 " evening Star", I will buy the Bachmann " British Rail" ( 66789 ) but I will have to get the " Flying Dustman " ( 66783 ) Dapol from Culcheth models . The Bachmann 66789 is going to be some time as they have no date for release.
Hattons have " Evening Star " for £89.50. 

[njee20]

Farish for me. Significantly better haulage, finer detail, run better.