Posted 29th April 2022 | 2 Comments
GBRf orders Stadler bi-mode Class 99 locomotives
A fleet of 30 bi-mode Class 99 locomotives has been ordered from Stadler for GB Railfreight, financed by Beacon Rail.
Based on Stadler’s existing EURODUAL locomotives, the Co-Co Class 99s will be able to haul freight on electrified and non-electrified sections, using a high-power low-emissions Stage-V diesel engine where necessary. The locomotives will have a maxium speed of 120km/h (75mph).
Iñigo Parra,, who is CEO of Stadler Valencia, said: ‘Over recent years, we have introduced the Class 68 diesel-electric locomotive, the Class 88 bi-mode locomotive and Europe's first tri-mode locomotive, the Class 93, in line with our commitment to decarbonising rail transport. We are very proud to go one step further with the development of the Class 99, a versatile, high-performance locomotive that will provide environmentally-friendly and cost-effective rail transport services, supporting modal shift to rail.’
GBRf CEO John Smith added: ’Today’s announcement is an important milestone for GB Railfreight and the UK, and I want to thank the teams at Stadler and Beacon Rail for their collaboration in producing a train fit for a greener future. Rail freight is already a more sustainable alternative to moving goods by road, but the Class 99 will increase our industry’s levels of sustainability and propel us further towards meeting the UK government’s task to decarbonise the rail industry by 2040.’
Reader Comments:
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david c smith, Bletchley
I 'd be interested to know comparative costs in all this. A"hybrid" lke this will be more expensive in first cost, but will obviate the need to change traction on an itenery that involves electrified and non- electrified lines. My guess is that costs of "hybrid" locos. are not as much above those of straight diesel loco's as they used to be. And what are the up to date costs for electrifying lines and using electric- only traction ?
Such costs vary with time , and sometimes incorporate wider, "hidden" costs ,and benefits are sometimes included too. All in all, difficult to do; what concerns me sometimes is that governments make these decisions for "dodgy" political reasons.
John Gilbert, Cradley
Yes, this is all very well, but I am cynic enough to suspect that this news will give the UK government another excuse for DELAYING large-scale further electrification, saying, "No need for much more electrification, especially for freight as we have all these bi-mode locos arriving - even,. say, Thames Gateway's mere four mile wiring requirement." Cynical I realise, but we all know UK Governments!