GB Railfreight (GBRf), one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, has taken another significant step in the process of bringing its new series of Class 99 bimodal locomotives, manufactured by Stadler, into service.
In collaboration with Maritime Transport and DP World, the company successfully conducted an operational test with an intermodal train between the London Gateway terminal and the Hams Hall rail freight terminal.
The operation represents one of the final stages of the testing and certification program prior to the new locomotives’ entry into commercial service, scheduled for July. The test allowed for the verification of the vehicles’ performance under real-world operating conditions on one of the UK’s most important logistics corridors.
The test conducted between London Gateway and Hams Hall demonstrated the new locomotives’ ability to provide reliable service on complex logistics routes and to contribute to the development of intermodal transport in the UK. Amid growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, investments in such technologies are considered essential for the future of British logistics.
A New Chapter for Freight Transport
The event coincides with the arrival of locomotive number 99010 at the port of Avonmouth, the most recent unit delivered from the new series. With this, the operator is stepping up its preparations for the launch of commercial services using the new generation of vehicles.
The new series of locomotives was designed to meet the current demands of rail freight transport, combining the advantages of electric traction with the flexibility offered by diesel traction. This configuration allows for efficient operation on both electrified and non-electrified lines, reducing environmental impact and optimizing operating costs.
“This is one of the final milestones before the Class 99 locomotives enter full commercial service, and it’s exciting to see an intermodal train hauled by one of these new locomotives on the network. “The Class 99 represents a major shift for our industry, reinforcing rail freight’s position as the cleanest and most productive way to transport goods across the country,” said John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight.
The new locomotives are considered a key element in the strategy for developing rail freight transport in the United Kingdom. With their ability to operate efficiently on different types of infrastructure and to serve long-distance intermodal trains, they help increase the railways’ competitiveness relative to road transport and accelerate the decarbonization of the British logistics sector.
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