GB Railfreight has confirmed the locomotives it will offer for sale at auction in March. It’s part of a broader fleet renewal programme. The disposal encompasses a range of older diesel traction vehicles. Inspections are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks at several locations. The British company has also indicated that short-term hire arrangements may be discussed ahead of the sale.
The move provides further clarity on the scale of the planned withdrawal of legacy diesel units. It also shows a broader shift in the fleet toward leased bimodal traction and lower-emission technologies. The auction is expected to draw interest from leasing companies, industrial operators and the heritage sector, given the mix of main line and shunting locomotives being released.
Class 60 locomotives form the core offering
At the centre of the sale are ten Class 60 locomotives, built for British Rail in the early 1990s for heavy freight duties. The type became closely associated with bulk flows, including aggregates and metals, and remains one of the most powerful diesel freight designs used on the UK network. Their withdrawal from a major freight operator marks a notable change in the availability of heavy-haul diesel traction.
GB Railfreight had previously stated that examples of the Class 60 fleet would be included in the sale. While some units have seen limited recent use, the class retains operational capability and is likely to attract interest for industrial deployment, export or preservation. Their sale represents the largest single release of the type in several years. Notably, specialist bulk materials operator, Cappagh Group (who trade as DC Rail) recently reactivated an example of the marque after extensive restoration.
Class 47s and shunters widen the sales package
The company’s roster of three Class 47 locomotives is also included, representing remaining examples of what was the most numerous of the British built main line diesel classes. Over five hundred were built in the 1960s, and about 30 remain in service. Although largely displaced from freight duties, the type continues to find roles in charter, engineering and departmental work. Their mechanical simplicity and established support base may make them suitable for secondary applications outside front-line freight.
The offering is completed by several shunting locomotives used for yard and support work. These are designated class 08. These are expected to appeal primarily to industrial users rather than main line operators. Their design is remarkably almost 100 years old, but still viable. At least one example (not part of this cohort) has been rebuilt by an independent manufacturer as a battery-electric unit. By including both main line and yard traction, the sale broadens the potential buyer base and increases the likelihood of multiple disposal routes across different market segments.
Alternative fuels and bimodal traction shape strategy
The disposal programme aligns with GB Railfreight’s introduction of new bimodal locomotives, namely the Class 99, which can operate on electrified routes using 25 kV overhead power. This reduces diesel consumption where wiring is available while maintaining access to unelectrified terminals. The shift reflects a gradual move away from single-mode diesel traction as electrification expands.
It also sits alongside the company’s memorandum of understanding with HyOrc to explore alternative fuel technologies for rail. The agreement focuses on the potential application of hydrogen-derived fuels and related systems for freight traction. Together, the auction and the technology partnerships indicate a longer-term strategy centred on lower-emission power and greater operational flexibility. The company has invited viewing at its depot locatoins around England during the next few weeks.