The Class 166 "Networker Turbo Express" was built alongside its DMU sister class the Class 165 for longer distance routes between London Paddington, Oxford and Newbury. The Class 166 is very similar to the 165 but has a more luxurious interior including first class seating, two toilets, carpeted flooring, air conditioning and more luggage space [1]. They are capable of one hundred and forty five kp/h unlike some 165s which are limited to one hundred and twenty kp/h.
GWR 166 219 at Cheltenham Spa
Information
Number built:
63 (21 3-car units)
Built:
1992-93
Builder:
BREL York
Motor:
Perkins 2006TWH diesel per car
Power:
1, 050 hp (780 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)
They were originally operated by Network South East, all 166s are now operated by Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western).
Originally both driving cars had first class accommodation but in 2014 one DMCL was declassified in order to increase the overall capacity [2].
GWR 166 202 at Oxford in First Great Western livery
GWR 166 215 at Ealing Broadway
GWR 166 218 at Reading
GWR 166 219 at Cheltenham Spa
GWR 166 203 at Dorking Deepdene
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 152 [2] Colin J. Marsden (ed.), "Class 166 'Networker Express'", Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 216 December 2015-January 2016 (Second Generation DMUs Classes 165-185). p. 14
