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British Rail Class 99 (locomotive)

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This article is about rail locomotives. For Sealink train ferries, see British Rail Class 99 (ships).

British Rail Class 99
A GB Railfreight Class 99 at Innotrans 2024
Type and origin
Power typeElectro-diesel
BuilderStadler Rail Valencia
Total produced30
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output6,000 kW (8,050 hp) (electric) 1,600 kW (2,150 hp) (diesel)
Tractive effortup to 500 kN (110,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsGB Railfreight
Numbers99001–99030
Delivered2025 (scheduled)
Current ownerBeacon Rail
DispositionPlanned

The British Rail Class 99 is a planned class of dual-mode electro-diesel Co-Co locomotives that will haul freight trains on both electrified and non-electrified lines. It will be based on the Stadler Euro Dual platform.

Specification

The 75 mph (120 km/h) locomotive will have a maximum tractive effort of "up to" 500 kN, and a power output of 6,000 kW (8,000 hp) at the wheel in electric mode.[1] These figures exceed those of the diesel-powered British Rail Class 66.

Diesel performance

Peter Dearman, an expert in traction electrification,[2] reports in Rail Engineer that the Class 99 may only be able to deliver 1,600 kW (2,100 hp) at the rail in diesel mode.[3]

The chief executive of GBRf, John Smith, reports that the Class 99, despite having a less powerful diesel engine than the Class 66, will outperform the Class 66 at low speeds. The greater tractive effort means that the Class 99 on diesel power can deliver more power at the rail than the 66. [4]

Planned use

The locomotives are expected enter services in 2025,[5] and will most likely to be first used for intermodal work on the West Coast and East Coast mainlines.[4]

They will be maintained by Stadler at a new facility in Leicester.[6]

History

In April 2022, Beacon Rail and GB Railfreight signed an agreement for the supply of 30 locomotives to replace their Class 66 locomotives.[7][1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b GBRf orders 30 Stadler Class 99 bi-mode locos Modern Railways 29 April 2022
  2. ^ "Our people: Leadership Teams: President". THE INSTITUTION FOR RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. ^ Peter Dearman (21 December 2022). "The Future role of rail: A strategic freight network". RailEngineer. Rail Engineer Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2023. 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 1,600kW at the rail.
  4. ^ a b "The Class 99s - John Smith at InnoTrans". GBRf. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Stadler Class 99 bi-mode Co'Co' locomotive being introduced to UK in deal with Beacon Rail and GBRf". RailBusinessDaily. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. ^ Clinnick, R. (June 2023). "Stadler to maintain Class 99s at Leicester". Headline News. Rail Express. No. 325. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 12. ISSN 1362-234X.
  7. ^ "GBRf orders Stadler bi-mode Class 99 locomotives". Railnews. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
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