British Rail Class 99 (locomotive)
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.jpg){kind=spacer} A GB Railfreight Class 99 at Innotrans 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The British Rail Class 99 is a class of dual-mode electro-diesel Co-Co locomotives that will haul freight trains on both electrified and non-electrified lines. It is based on the Stadler Euro Dual platform.
Specification
[edit]The 75 mph (120 km/h) locomotive has a maximum tractive effort of "up to" 500 kN (110,000 lbf), and a power rating of 6,170 kW (8,270 hp) in electric mode.[2] These figures exceed those of the diesel-powered British Rail Class 66.
Diesel performance
[edit]The Class 99 locomotive has a 16-cylinder 1,790 kW (2,400 hp) Cummins QSK50 engine installed.[2]
Peter Dearman, an expert in traction electrification,[3] reported in Rail Engineer in early 2023 that the Class 99 may only be able to deliver 1,600 kW (2,100 hp) at the rail in diesel mode.[4] However, this was before the first production locomotive was exhibited at InnoTrans in September 2024.[2]
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.[5]
Planned use
[edit]The locomotives are expected to enter service in 2025,[6] and will most likely to be first used for intermodal work on the West Coast and East Coast mainlines.[5]
They will be maintained by Stadler at a new facility in Leicester.[7]
History
[edit]In April 2022, Beacon Rail and GB Railfreight signed an agreement for the supply of 30 locomotives to replace their Class 66 locomotives.[8][9]
The locomotive was formally launched by GBRf in September 2024 at Innotrans 2024.[2] Testing will begin in the UK in May 2025.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "QSK50 for Locomotives and Railway Applications" (PDF). Cummins. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Keith Fender (26 September 2024). "Stadler presents class 99 locomotive". International Rail Journal. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Our people: Leadership Teams: President". THE INSTITUTION FOR RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ 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 1,600 kW (2,100 hp) at the rail.
- ^ a b "The Class 99s - John Smith at InnoTrans". GBRf. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "GBRf orders Stadler bi-mode Class 99 locomotives". Railnews. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ GBRf orders 30 Stadler Class 99 bi-mode locos Modern Railways 29 April 2022