The first two Class 99 Stadler electro-diesel locomotives have arrived in the UK. Landed at Bristol Port last week, they are the first examples of a batch of thirty units ordered by GB Railfreight. The locomotives are already at Stadler Rail Services in Leicester for final commissioning.
According to GBRf, the locomotives’ arrival in the UK represents a significant step forward in the project to deliver a thirty-strong fleet of “state-of-the-art” vehicles set to transform freight transport. The Class 99s will provide a range of economic and environmental benefits. Manufacturers Stadler say the design, based on their Eurodual platform, underscores their green credentials and commitment to support net zero.
Addressing evolving demands
Having arrived from Germany aboard the freighter MV Constance, the two units were unloaded in a complicated lift over a 22-hour port call. There are no tracks at the quay where the Constance came alongside, so a delicate road transfer was required to the port railhead. The locomotives are due this week (17 June) to transfer under their own power to Leicester, where Stadler Rail Services will maintain them. There, they will undergo a rigorous programme of testing and commissioning before entering commercial service by the end of 2025.
“The new locomotives will enable businesses to transport their freight more efficiently,” explained John Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of GB Railfreight. “With both renewable fuels and electric capability, our Class 99s are built for a changing network and to meet the evolving demands of our customers.”
Next level freight transport
The Class 99 is based on Stadler’s Eurodual locomotive platform, adapted for the UK network configuration and loading gauge. “The class features a dual drive system,” said a GBRf spokesperson. “This enables the locomotive to operate in purely electric as well as in diesel-electric mode, allowing it to run on both non-electrified and electrified lines, potentially replacing diesel-powered locomotives and helping cut carbon emissions on the UK railway.”
The Class 99 can operate on a 25 kV AC electrified line, has a power of 6,000 kW at the wheel and features a high-power low-emissions Stage-V engine. With an impressive tractive effort of 500 kN, it can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, boasting high hauling capability and performance.
Sitting in the cab is a step up from earlier locomotive designs. The centrally positioned seat excellent visibility is backed up by a suite of cameras, providing direct views of pantographs, shunting zones and the area in front of the locomotive. The two protection systems required on British rail networks, AWS and TPWS have been factory fitted. Stadler say that ETCS will soon be installed too. “The arrival of the first two Class 99s represents a milestone in a project that will deliver a host of benefits to the UK economy,” said Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Valencia. “These vehicles will take freight transport to the next level.”
The units are being financed by Beacon Rail. The rest of the fleet will begin arriving in the UK in late 2025 and continue throughout 2026.