Rail freight operator DB Cargo UK has agreed to sell 25 Class 66 diesel locomotives to Romania’s largest private freight operator, Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR), under a multi-million-pound deal. The agreement underlines continuing demand for the proven Class 66 design across Europe, even as some western European operators reshape their fleets. It also highlights the growing interconnection between mature rail freight markets and fast-growing operators in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
The first locomotive, 66014, is scheduled to leave DB Cargo UK’s Toton traction maintenance depot in Nottinghamshire, in the English East Midlands, at the end of January 2026. All 25 locomotives are due to be delivered by mid-2028. Before transfer to mainland Europe, each unit will be reinstated to current UK operational standards and repainted blue, reflecting their new ownership.
Fleet optimisation at DB Cargo UK
DB Cargo UK said the sale forms part of a wider programme to optimise its locomotive fleet. The company operates one of the largest rail freight fleets in the UK and is a key player in intermodal, construction, automotive, energy, and bulk flows. DB Cargo’s Toton depot and yards were the scene of an innovative two-way automotive flow in 2022. It is the UK subsidiary of DB Cargo, the freight arm of Germany’s state-owned Deutsche Bahn, with operations spanning much of Europe.
Wayne Miller, DB Cargo UK’s newly appointed Engineering Director, said the Class 66 locomotives being sold were surplus to requirements. He added that the transaction would still leave the operator with sufficient traction to meet forecast traffic growth. Miller said DB Cargo UK was proud to be reinstating the locomotives at its Toton centre of excellence and looked forward to further developing its partnership with GFR.
Delivery timeline and technical preparation
Under the terms of the agreement, deliveries will be phased over more than two years. The locomotives will undergo work at Toton before export, ensuring compliance with current UK standards ahead of their transfer. Once prepared, the locomotives will be transported to mainland Europe for entry into service with GFR.
The Class 66 design has become a mainstay of European diesel freight operations due to its high power output, reliability, and availability. Although originally developed for North American markets, the type has been widely adopted across Europe. Its continued redeployment between operators reflects both its longevity and its adaptability to different national networks.
GFR strategy and regional growth
Grup Feroviar Roman is the flagship company of the GRAMPET Group, the largest private freight rail and logistics operator in Central and South-Eastern Europe. The group employs more than 7,500 people and operates in ten countries, including Romania, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, and Greece. GFR alone operates a fleet of more than 15,000 wagons and around 350 locomotives.
Sorin Chinde, Chairman of GFR and Vice President of GRAMPET Group, said the acquisition aligned with the group’s strategy of investing in high-performance rolling stock. He said the Class 66 locomotives would become the backbone of GFR’s diesel fleet. The purchase will allow GFR to withdraw a larger number of older 2,100-horsepower locomotives, reducing maintenance costs and improving fleet availability.
First introduced in the late 1990s, the Class 66 is a six-axle, Co-Co diesel-electric freight locomotive built by EMD for the European market. Producing around 3,000 horsepower, it was designed for heavy haul duties and high availability. More than 500 units have operated in the UK alone, with many exported or redeployed across Europe. Its standardised components, strong reliability record and long service life have made it a benchmark locomotive for private freight operators.