GB Railfreight trains

In early 2022, in partnership with Beacon Leasing and Stadler in Spain, we announced the procurement of thirty bi–mode Class 99 locomotives. The Class 99 is a Co–Co locomotive which combines 25 kV AC electric and diesel operating modes. Running from 2025, they will cut emissions by around 50% per journey and will replace the outgoing Class 66 locomotives. As part of our push to decarbonise supply chains, our new and cutting edge locomotives will not only have a huge impact on reducing CO2 emissions, but will improve choices for businesses and consumers which will help cut their own carbon footprints when purchasing goods.

We operate 99 class 66 Locomotives in various batches.

66701-66717 – Tier 0 (UK Cabs)
66718-66732 – Tier 1 (UK Cabs)
66733-66746 – Tier 0 (UK Cabs)
66747-66749 – Tier 1 (European Cabs)
66750-66751 – Tier 0 (European Cabs)
66752-66779 – Tier 2 (European Cabs)
66780-66789 – Tier 0 (UK Cabs)
66790-66792 – Tier 0 (UK Cabs)
66793-66799 – Tier 0 (European Cabs)

These locomotives were all built by Electro-Motive Diesel at their Canadian and North American facilities. They offer an economical and reliable performance as a general purpose heavy freight locomotive. 66 747-749 were brought from Holland to the UK in 2012. 66 750/751 were repatriated from Germany in 2013. 66 779, appropriately named “Evening Star”, was the last ever Class 66 to be built by EMD for export to the UK and is gifted to the National Collection.

We have twelve Brush/Bombardier Class 92 locomotives in service on the Caledonian Sleeper and heavy freight traffic through the Channel Tunnel. The most powerful electric locomotives produced for the UK, they have been specially converted for operation of Caledonian Sleeper vehicles, which require additional electric train supply and new Dellner Couplings.

The Class 92 remains the only UK registered locomotive to be utilised through to France and operate on 750v DC third rail and 25kV overhead supply with pantograph.

We purchased a number of redundant Class 56 locomotives in 2018 from UK Rail Leasing in various conditions. These were subject to a Repower Program undertaken by Electro-Motive Diesels at their Longport UK facility. The old Ruston RK3 engine and Brush controls were removed and new EMD 710 power units with cleaner 3A emissions and electronic controls fitted.

We have nine Bi-mode Bo-Bo electro-diesel locomotives that operate on 750v DC third rail and have a small English electric diesel engine of 400hp. Originally designed for the Southern Region of BR, we use the 73/1 almost exclusively for Network Rail where their Bi-Mode usefulness on possessions and seasonal trains is advantageous. 73201 is gifted to the National Collection.

We modified five 73/1 locomotives to become 73/9 73 961-965 “Tier 1” locomotives. They were redesigned with modern electronic traction control systems and new 3A Emission MTU 1600Hp R43 4000 V8 Engines. This extended their life by 25 years, with far more power on diesel and improved traction control. They are used almost exclusively on Network Rail work.

We modified a further six 73/1 to become 73/9 73 966-971 “Tier 2”. These had a more extensive upgrade, including the 3A Emission MTU and traction control, a new electronic brake control system and cab interior. Our six locomotives are fitted with Dellner Couplings, trailer car control and jumper equipment. They work exclusively in Scotland on the Serco Sleeper Highland and Lowland Services.

We operate a number of 08/09 shunting locomotives throughout the UK across various sites.

We have three Class 47 locomotives that date back to 1966. These have been specifically adapted with electronic translator equipment and couplings to “communicate” with modern electric and other bi-mode units. This allows them to be hauled “dead” and remain fully braked.

We have two Class 50 locomotives that date back to 1967-1968. Working with the #Class50Alliance, they add another layer to our capacity across the Rail Services sector.

We operate one Class 59 – an original built by General Motors in La Grange, Illinois, USA for Foster Yeoman in 1985. After being transferred to Germany for HHPI, we relocated it back to the UK in 2014. It remains one of our best performing locomotives.

In 2018, we purchased ten heavy freight Class 60 locomotives from Colas. These were built  during 1989-93 by Brush Traction and were the last heavy freight locomotives built in the UK.