GB Railfreight (GBRf), UK’s largest rail freight operator, has introduced the first commercial service operated by the Class 99 hybrid freight locomotive, marking a major milestone in the modernisation and decarbonisation of Britain’s rail freight network.
The first intermodal freight service operated by locomotive 99001 departed from DP World London Gateway and travelled to Maritime Transport’s Hams Hall Rail Freight Terminal in the West Midlands.
The new Class 99 hybrid locomotives, built by Stadler, are designed to reduce emissions by more than half on a typical journey and represent a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable rail freight sector.
The UK rail freight industry contributes around £2.5 billion (€2.9 billion) to the national economy and forms part of government plans to increase rail freight volumes by 75% by 2050.
Hybrid technology combines electric power and renewable fuels
The Class 99 locomotive can operate using electric power on electrified sections of the railway network and continue running on non-electrified routes using renewable fuels.
This technology allows operators to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining access to a wider range of routes across the national rail network.
Around 40% of Britain’s railway network is currently electrified, meaning hybrid locomotives provide a practical solution for reducing emissions while avoiding the need to wait for complete electrification.
The improved acceleration of the new locomotives will also help freight trains integrate more efficiently with passenger services, allowing better use of railway capacity and supporting economic growth.
The introduction of the Class 99 follows more than four and a half years of planning, engineering, testing and collaboration between GB Railfreight, Stadler, Beacon Rail and Network Rail.
GB Railfreight Chief Executive Officer John Smith said:
“Four and a half years ago, we set out to bring a locomotive to the UK that would redefine what rail freight could deliver. Today, with the first commercial Class 99 service departing London Gateway for Hams Hall, we’ve achieved exactly that.”
“The Class 99 combines lower emissions, better performance and a modern, safer working environment for our drivers. It is the result of an incredible effort from teams across GBRf, Beacon Rail and Stadler, and marks the beginning of a new chapter for rail freight in Britain.”
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