British Rail Class 166 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 166 "Network Express Turbo"
Class 166, no. 166202, at Evesham on 19 September 2004, with a service to London Paddington via the Cotswold Line.
In service	1992 - Present
Manufacturer	ABB
Family name	Networker
Constructed	1992-1993
Number built	21 trainsets
Formation	3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	166201 - 166221
Operator(s)	First Great Western
Specifications
Maximum speed	90mph
Prime mover(s)	Perkins 2006TWH
Safety system(s)	AWS, TPWS

The British Rail Class 166 "Network Express Turbo" trains are special diesel multiple units. This means they are trains that run on diesel fuel and have their own engines, so they don't need a separate locomotive to pull them. They are also known as "Thames Turbos."

These trains were built by a company called ABB in York, England, between 1992 and 1993. They were designed to be a faster, more comfortable version of the Class 165 "Network Turbo" trains.

About the Class 166 Trains

The Class 166 trains were made for express services. This means they were used for longer journeys, making fewer stops. They are quite fast for their type, able to reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour (about 145 km/h). This speed makes them great for main railway lines.

What Makes Them Special?

The Class 166 trains offer a more comfortable ride compared to some other trains. They have soft carpets throughout the passenger areas. They also have air conditioning, which helps keep passengers cool in summer and warm in winter. These features were not found on the older Class 165 trains. In fact, the Class 166 trains are quite similar to the Class 158 trains in terms of comfort and features.

How Many Were Built?

A total of 21 Class 166 train sets were built. Each train set is made up of three separate cars or carriages. They have been in service since 1992 and are still used today by Great Western Railway.

Where Do They Operate?

These trains mostly operate on routes connecting London Paddington to places like Reading, Oxford, and other towns in the Thames Valley and Cotswolds areas. They help many people travel for work or fun every day.

Images for kids

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  166220 arrives at Oxford with a service to London Paddington.

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  Great Western Railway unit 166212 at Clifton Down on the Severn Beach Line in Bristol, July 2017

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  166207 in Thames Trains livery with First Great Western Link branding.

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  Great Western Class 166

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  The refurbished interior of First Class cabin aboard GWR Class 166 166205

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  First Great Western Class 166 No. 166201 at Moreton in Marsh

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  The interior of First Class cabin of First Great Western Class 166

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  The interior of Standard Class accommodation of First Great Western Class 166

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  The refreshed interior of First Class cabin aboard a First Great Western Class 166

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  The refreshed interior of Standard Class accommodation aboard a First Great Western Class 166

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  First Great Western Dynamic Lines livery (166207, 2008)

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  Great Western Railway refurbished green livery (166214, 2016)