The Class 99, like its sister EURODUAL, which is used in continental Europe, is a versatile Co’Co’ locomotive adapted to the British rail network’s requirements and specifications, combining bimodal drives from 25 kV AC and diesel operation. According to Stadler, it represents a new generation of locomotives that offers railway operators many economic and ecological advantages and underlines Stadler’s environmental awareness.
The two-power locomotives reach speeds of up to 120 km/h and can be operated on electrified networks with 25 kV AC voltage and an output of 6,000 kW on the wheel. In addition, they have a powerful and low-emission diesel engine for operation on non-electrified lines.
Stadler noted that the Class 99 locomotives are characterized by an “excellent” tractive force of up to 500 kN and a high transport performance. In addition, with optimum visibility and an ergonomically optimized driver’s cab, they offer an excellent working environment for locomotive drivers.
“Stadler has many years of extensive experience in the British locomotive market. After the diesel-electric Class 68 locomotive, Stadler has developed the Class 88 bimodal locomotive and Europe’s first trimodal locomotive, Class 93, as solutions for the increasing decarbonization of rail transport and introduced them in the UK,” said Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Valencia.
“We are very proud to go one step further with the development of the Class 99. With the versatile and powerful locomotive, environmentally friendly and cost-effective rail transport services can be offered, which support the further modal shift to rail,” Parra added.
Adam Cunliffe, CEO of Beacon, said, “Beacon is proud to be able to use the Class 99 locomotive for the first time in the UK market. The contract is the result of our cooperation with our long-standing customer GB Railfreight and Stadler. With the order for the Class 99, we underline our contribution to making the UK’s rail network more environmentally friendly and efficient. We look forward to actively supporting the delivery program for these locomotives as early as the start of operations in 2025, thus further driving forward the shift of traffic from road to rail.”
John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, concluded, “Today’s signing of the contract is an important milestone for GB Railfreight and the UK on the road to decarbonizing rail transport. Rail freight transport is already the sustainable alternative to road transport and Class 99 will make our industry even more environmentally friendly than it already is. By introducing sustainable rail propulsion solutions, we are making an important contribution to meeting the UK government’s goal of supporting the decarbonization of the rail industry by 2040 on the way to becoming a climate-neutral nation.”