The DB Class 66 (German: Baureihe 66) was a class of two Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) locomotives designed for fast goods train and passenger train services on the main and branch lines of Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB), the national railway of the former West Germany.

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DB Class 66
Locomotive 66 002 in Bochum-Dahlhausen, May 2005
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Henschel Serial number 28923–28924 Build date 1955 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-4T  • UIC 1′C2′ h2t  • German Pt 36.16 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Driver dia. 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Trailing dia. 0,850 mm (2 ft 9+1⁄2 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Axle spacing (Asymmetrical)  2,900 mm (9 ft 6+1⁄8 in) +  1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) +  1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) +  2,250 mm (7 ft 4+5⁄8 in) +  2,200 mm (7 ft 2+5⁄8 in) =  • Engine 11,050 mm (36 ft 3 in) Length: ​  • Over headstocks 13,450 mm (44 ft 1+1⁄2 in)  • Over buffers 14,798 mm (48 ft 6+5⁄8 in) Height 4,550 mm (14 ft 11+1⁄8 in) Axle load 15.7 t (15.5 long tons; 17.3 short tons) Adhesive weight 47.1 t (46.4 long tons; 51.9 short tons) Empty weight 69.8 t (68.7 long tons; 76.9 short tons) Service weight 93.9 t (92.4 long tons; 103.5 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 5 t (4.9 long tons; 5.5 short tons) Water cap. 14.3 m3 (3,150 imp gal; 3,780 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 1.96 m2 (21.1 sq ft) Boiler: ​  • Pitch 3,185 mm (10 ft 5+3⁄8 in)  • Tube plates 3,600 mm (11 ft 9+3⁄4 in)  • Small tubes  44.5 mm (1+3⁄4 in), 70 off  • Large tubes 118 mm (4+5⁄8 in), 36 off Boiler pressure 16 bar (16.3 kgf/cm2; 232 psi) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 11.40 m2 (122.7 sq ft)  • Tubes 31.27 m2 (336.6 sq ft)  • Flues 44.79 m2 (482.1 sq ft)  • Total surface 87.46 m2 (941.4 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 45.13 m2 (485.8 sq ft) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 470 mm × 660 mm (18+1⁄2 in × 26 in) Valve gear Heusinger (Walschaerts)
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Indicated power 1,170 PS (861 kW; 1,150 hp)
Career Operators Deutsche Bundesbahn Numbers 66 001 – 66 002 Retired 1967–1968

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The Class 66 were one of several newly designed locomotive classes, the so-called Neubauloks, built for the DB after the Second World War. The 66s had a top speed of 100 km/h and an axle load of only 15 tonnes which made them ideally suited to such duties. They were intended to replace the former state railway (Länderbahn) locomotives of DRG classes 38.10 (ex-Prussian P 8), 78 (ex-Prussian T 18) and 93 (ex-Prussian T 14). However increasing competition from diesel locomotives meant that no more engines were built after the two prototypes, even though they fully met all expectations and were a very successful design. The Class 66 was the penultimate locomotive class to be built as part of the DB's Neubaulok construction programme.

The engines were equipped with a welded, high-performance boiler with a combustion chamber, roller bearings, a mixer preheater and a welded plate frame. Because great emphasis was placed on the working conditions for the engine driver and stoker, the Class 66 had a fully enclosed driver's cab, skylights, floor heating and upholstered seats with back rests. From autumn 1967 both engines were fitted equipment for working push-pull services.

Locomotive number 66 001 was retired in 1967 due to damage to its drive, and stored at Gießen; the second engine was retired in 1968.

Locomotive 66 002 was bought after its retirement by the German Railway History Company (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte or DGEG) and is currently (2007) homed in Bochum-Dahlhausen Railway Museum.

• List of DB locomotives and railbuses