GB Railfreight (GBRf), backed by Infracapital, has unveiled its new Class 99 locomotives at its Peterborough headquarters.
The new fleet, which represents a £150 million investment from GBRf, will revolutionise Britain’s rail freight network. Representing a major leap forward for sustainable transport. The Class 99s can run on both electricity and renewable fuels, offering customers the most sustainable freight solution on the market and halving carbon emissions.
These new locomotives, which were manufactured by Stadler in Valencia, will move a vast range of consumable goods and materials across the country. They will support critical projects and stock shops nationwide.
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State for Rail, said of the Class 99: “Major private sector investments like this £150 million commitment to revolutionary Class 99 trains, demonstrate the confidence the rail freight industry has in its future under this Government.
“With robust protections for fair network access and ambitious growth targets a part of our plans for Great British Railways, we’re ensuring the rail freight sector has what it needs to thrive so it can continue removing thousands of HGVs from our roads whilst delivering huge economic benefits across the country.
“I look forward to seeing the Class 99s entering commercial service later this year and seeing the transformative impact they’ll have in decarbonising our rail network.”
John Smith, CEO of GBRf, commented: “The Class 99 locomotives set a new benchmark for performance and sustainability in UK rail freight. With hybrid capability, these locomotives provide the resilience and flexibility our customers need to meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s standards while supporting the UK’s drive towards net zero.”
The Class 99s are designed to power the future of freight. By running on electric lines where available and switching seamlessly to renewable fuels elsewhere, the Class 99s ensure that goods arrive at their destination sooner and more reliably, all whilst dramatically reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
The launch event at GBRf’s Peterborough HQ on 17 July brought together industry leaders, customers, and stakeholders to witness the arrival of a new era in sustainable transport.
Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, said: “Peterborough is proud to be at the forefront of Britain’s rail freight innovation. The new Class 99 locomotives are a game changer for our city and the national effort to build a greener, more sustainable future.
This investment will help cut emissions, create local jobs, and drive economic growth across the region. I am proud to see our city playing such a key role in shaping the future of rail freight.”
Once testing is complete, the new locomotives will enter commercial service this winter.
The Class 99 was officially unveiled at InnoTrans in Berlin last year (pictured).
Image credit: Falk2 / CC BY-SA 4.0
