GBRf NUMBER QUERY

I think that the article in the February 2022 edition of Rail Express, under the heading GB Railfreight Class 66 fleet 100 not out, is slightly premature. Whilst the latest acquisition by the company may indeed be their 100th 66 actually purchased, the original ex DRS 66734 was lost back in 2012, and the new ex European 66734 thus brings the total number of 66s in the GB Railfreight fleet to 99 (66701-66799). Also, it has already been announced that the numbers 6635166360 have been reserved.

I eagerly await my new copy of Rail Express each month, it is a great magazine, and I enjoy the various columns on loco, carriage and wagon developments, much of this info being unavailable anywhere else. Keep up the great work!!

Martyn Bacon, By email

We think that, happily, we are both right, Martyn! You are correct that GBRf currently now runs 99 Class 66. But our news story accurately pointed out that the company has operated 100 of the machines in total. You are also right that the next 10 numbers are expected to be those you mention. Ed