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 A GB Railfreight Class 99 at Innotrans 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The British Rail Class 99 is a class of dual-mode electro-diesel Co-Co locomotives that will haul freight trains on both electrified and non-electrified lines. It is based on the Stadler Euro Dual platform.
The 75 mph (120 km/h) locomotive has a maximum tractive effort of "up to" 500 kN (110,000 lbf), and a power rating of 6,170 kW (8,270 hp) in electric mode. [3] These figures exceed those of the diesel-powered British Rail Class 66. [4]
It is fitted with the AWS and TPWS safety systems, and is planned to be fitted with ETCS. It has cameras providing views of the pantographs, shunting zones and the front of the locomotive. [5]
The Class 99 locomotive has a 16-cylinder 1,790 kW (2,400 hp) Cummins QSK50 engine installed, which meets Stage 5 emissions standards. The locomotives are expected to use HVO biofuels in service, and will be able to raise and lower their pantographs while moving. [3] [6]
Peter Dearman, an expert in traction electrification, [7] reported in Rail Engineer in early 2023 that the Class 99 may only be able to deliver 1,600 kW (2,100 hp) at the rail in diesel mode. [8] However, this was before the first production locomotive was exhibited at InnoTrans in September 2024. [3]
The chief executive of GBRf, John Smith, reports that the Class 99 will outperform the Class 66 at low speeds, despite having a less powerful diesel engine. The greater tractive effort means that the Class 99 on diesel power can deliver more power at the rail than the 66. [4] The less powerful diesel engine is also not expected to change its use cases, and will be deployed on heavy haul routes and intermodal trains. [6]
The locomotives are expected to enter service by the end of 2025, [5] and are most likely to be first used for intermodal work on the West Coast and the Great Eastern mainlines. [9]
In July 2025 GBRf have agreed with Belmond, to use this class from 2027 on the luxury trains Royal Scotsman and Britannic Explorer instead of the current Class 66 for sustainability reasons. [10]
They will be maintained by Stadler at a new facility in Leicester. [11]
In April 2022, Beacon Rail and GB Railfreight signed an agreement for the supply of 30 locomotives to replace their Class 66 locomotives. [12] [13]
In September 2024, locomotive 99002 was displayed by GBRf at Innotrans 2024. Locomotive 99001 underwent testing at the Velim test centre in the Czech Republic from January 2025. [3] [14] The first two units arrived in the UK on 10 June 2025 at the port of Bristol and will undergo further testing in Leicester. [5]
All 30 locomotives were initially expected to be in service by June 2026, however this has been slightly delayed due to flooding in Valencia affecting Stadler's factory in October 2024. [6]
The first two units were delivered to GB Railfreight in July 2025. [15]
A Class 99 has six independently-controlled axles each with their own traction motor which works with a computerised traction system. "With that you are going to be able to put quite a lot of power and traction down at the starting point and get away quicker as both on diesel and electric the starting tractive effort is 500kN."
Bi-mode locomotives have the flexibility to take power from the wires or diesel fuel. Yet they have limited spaced for an engine due to their electric traction equipment. It is understood that the recently ordered Class 99 bi-mode locomotives will only be able to deliver 1,600 kW (2,100 hp) at the rail.
Mr Smith (John Smith CEO of GBRf) told Modern Railways intermodal services from Felixstowe via the Great Eastern and West Coast main lines are obvious candidates....
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