The Class 66 is one of the most ubiquitous classes of locomotive to ever be employed on the rail network of the UK, the staple of British freight operations. 480 examples were built by EMD in Canada for direct export to Britain, with the fleet since being increased by a steady stream of imports from the EU ever since. 11 locomotives arrived at various ports around the UK, notably Newport, each month. EMD shipped the locomotives full of water and fuel, meaning that once lifted from the decks of their ships they were ready for service after a few minor ‘unpacking’ exercises. On the left, 66796 was the subject of a survey visit by the Hornby team, one of a number of locomotives of the Class 66/7 subclass imported by Beacon Rail from mainland Europe.