Exclusive GBRf Modern Railways Class 66 revealed
Key Publishing has commissioned Accurascale to produce a unique limited edition model of GBRf Class 66 66799 Modern Railways Diamond Jubilee in GB Railfreight blue and orange for release in 2027.
The locomotive was named Modern Railways Diamond Jubilee in September 2022 at the Severn Valley Railway to mark 60 years of Key Publishing’s Modern Railways magazine which launched in 1962 having emerged from Trains Illustrated.
The locomotive is one of a batch brought to the UK by Beacon Rail for GBRf having originally been built in 2003 and operated in Germany before moving to the Netherlands in 2004. It returned to Germany in the early 2010s before being brought to the UK at Immingham Docks on July 30 2021.
66799 joined the GBRf fleet in 2021 and became the operator’s 99th Class 66. On arrival at Immingham from Germany, it was taken to Doncaster by rail by 66738 for an overhaul to British standards which included fitting air condition, sound proofing, double glazing and cab upgrades such as GSMR and TPWS.
It entered service the same year and, being a former European Class 66, has distinguishing features including squared off buffers, twin air pipes on each buffer beam fairing and an extended horn box. In service with GBRf it has operated across the country on intermodal, aggregates, engineering, fuel and other duties.
The model of 66799 captures the locomotive on the day of its naming and is the first ready-to-run ‘Euro’ Class 66 in standard GBRf colours. 66799 had a number of unique features including extension of the blue below the cantrail only above the cabs, full orange cab doors with blue rain strips, off-set positioning of the GBRf logos on the bodyside, Beacon logos on each bodyside and orange colouring of the headlight clusters.
The model has the latest Accurascale Class 66 tooling which incorporates upgrades to the shaping of the exhaust silencer, handbrake chains in the ‘off’ position, correct WiFi pods on the roof for the locomotive and more. Inside is powerful five-pole motor with twin flywheels offering all-wheel drive while a comprehensive lighting suit is provided.
Above: 66799 is the latest model to be commissioned from Accurascale by Key Publishing to commemorate the naming of the locomotive in 2022 to celebrate 60 years of Modern Railways. On March 23 2026 its powers through Uffington with a container working from Felixstowe-Hams Hall. Mike Wild.
The limited edition is restricted to 300 units split between DCC ready and DCC sound fitted locomotives – the latter with correct sounds for the ‘Euro’ Class 66 including the horns.
Prices are set at £179.95 DCC ready and £279.95 DCC sound fitted with delivery expected in 2027. 66799 is available to pre-order now exclusively through Key Publishing with a £30 non-refundable deposit to secure your order.
Pre-order Class 66 66799 exclusive through Key Publishing