I'll get it out of the way first and answer the question posed by my review title - Yes! This is the best loco I own. For the last 25 years I have exclusively modeled North American prototypes. But recently I have gained an interest in British railways and thought I would take the plunge into this world. A friend, better versed in both British railways and model manufacturers than I, recommended Accurascale. I could not have made a better choice. I am so impressed by every aspect of the Class 66 models. The detail, the accuracy, the paint work, the running quality - and the sound! This is by far the best sound of any locomotive I own.

I have been looking for class 66 from other manufacturers including Hatton, Bachmann since some time and lucky I got this one.

Fastest delivery possible at that price point to Australia, and once I ran it, was very smooth and had a nice weight to it as it should for a freighter.

I played with the sound slots and functions a little as I got the LokProgrammer, and you may see in the video that I added some random functions while the drive is on, to make it more convenient and alive, but you won’t need to otherwise. The brake sound does not play in loop (it is an one time hiss than a squeal as it is in the original one), maybe it would be great if Accurascale tried to give us that as a small update to the project file.

I made the axle box rotation (they should be credited for that perfect thing as it is a first time accurate implementation in British Rail modelling IMO) visible by some soft acrylic paint touch, that just adds that extra detail visible. Some people have commented on absence of the spirax valve sound, it has that sound while shutting the engine down, and really that is all you need. My other wish was if they added the dial lights in that otherwise beautifully done cabin, but maybe in the next run?

If ESU makes it possible to unlock individual sound slots while allowing us to add more sound in the free slots what would open up a new window of opportunity for modellers, but that is beyond control of Accurascale so no complains about that. Finally, this seems to have a powerful motor needed for a heavy loco. It has the perfect balance for value for money.

Love the new Accurascale Class 66's. This one in Freightliner Orange 66415 is especially impressive and the colour matches well with the Hattons Original Freightliner Class 66 66623

The box is also a work of art, very pleased

Excellent sound fantastic out of the box and on the track well done accurascale 5 stars *****

Great Realistic loco with nothing to complain about.Highly recommended

At last a class 66 loco that looks like a class 66 loco, with all the detail to bring the loco alive. And NO wobble! Accurascale have taken a good loco and made it great - well do.

My first Accurascale purchase and quite frankly blown away by the intricate yet robust detail of this model. An outstanding sound profile combined with smooth running and great bogie rotation serves as one of the finest OO models ever produced.

Another great model from Accurascale with none of the niggles of its Hattons predecessor. Well assembled with no loose parts and an unblemished livery application, though shade of orange is paler than the prototype loco. Exquisitely smooth running right down to a crawl and an impressive sound project.

Thank you so much Accurascale for all the models you've produced to date. They are literally second to none! The unreliability and hefty prices of the two major competitors almost made me abandon the hobby. I am absolutely delighted to add some 66’s to my fleet. What can I say that hasn't been said over & over? The model is absolute perfection and arrived in absolute perfect condition all the way to Australia because of the way it was packed.

Unbelievable locomotive, the detail and running performance is top notch. Couldn’t be happier with my new 66. And to produce it for the price they have, amazing.

Love your work Accurscale, keep it up !!