GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[59CosG95]

Oh, didn't realise they'd had flooding issues there! Thanks for the info

2024 Spanish floods - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Given that Valencia was one of the hardest hit areas in the floods, I'm not surprised that Stadler's output was affected.

 

[The_Train]

2024 Spanish floods - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Given that Valencia was one of the hardest hit areas in the floods, I'm not surprised that Stadler's output was affected.

I don't follow much that goes on in this country when it comes to current affairs, so I am definitely not going to follow what is happening overseas

 

[Sonik]

It sounds like, after the engine starts, the RPM increases after a few seconds of idling

I think that's an anti-smoke function.

It allows the engine to warm up a little before increasing the revs, otherwise you tend to get a lot of unburnt fuel/white smoke on starting.

I've seen the exact same sequence on gensets that use the same engine.

 

[hwl]

Very interesting, is that the first clip on YouTube of an engine start for the class? It sounds like, after the engine starts, the RPM increases after a few seconds of idling, as heard in clips from both 001 and 002.

As for the engines themselves, it sounds like there's a lot of deadening in place, as to be expected. It will be interesting to see how they sound under load soon!

The QSK50 engine is basically a V16 built from many of the same parts as a QSK19 (straight 6) but there is far more in the exhaust system to reduce pollutants (compared to Voyagers/Meridians) that also happens to be good at reducing the noise levels.
The main harmonic frequency of the exhaust system will equivalent to 2x straight 8s as the exhaust system for each bank is kept separate similar to the Cl.68 (unlike 59s and other traditional US loco V16s).

 

[Rail Quest]

I think that's an anti-smoke function.

It allows the engine to warm up a little before increasing the revs, otherwise you tend to get a lot of unburnt fuel/white smoke on starting.

I've seen the exact same sequence on gensets that use the same engine.

The QSK50 engine is basically a V16 built from many of the same parts as a QSK19 (straight 6) but there is far more in the exhaust system to reduce pollutants (compared to Voyagers/Meridians) that also happens to be good at reducing the noise levels.
The main harmonic frequency of the exhaust system will equivalent to 2x straight 8s as the exhaust system for each bank is kept separate similar to the Cl.68 (unlike 59s and other traditional US loco V16s).

Very interesting, thanks both!

 

[JKF]

Barely visible from St Andrews Rd, hiding behind the gravel. Hoping to stake them out on Monday for the move north.

 

[47286Dan]

Paths are now in for the move to Leicester

Eastleigh to Avonmouth

Realtime Trains | 0Z65 0630 Eastleigh East Yard to Avonmouth Hanson Sdg Gbrf | 17/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z65 0630 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Avonmouth Hanson Sdg Gbrf on 17/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Avonmouth to Leicester

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:AVONHGB/2025-06-17/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Dan

 

[renegademaster]

What kind of services are these going to be seen on first?

 

[cj_1985]

What kind of services are these going to be seen on first?

If i were guessing... services from Felixstowe... and the Ford trains that run almost entirely under the wires... maybe even the Hams Hall to Mossend/Seaforth circuit (again, almost entirely under the wires)

 

[sad1e]

How long will the training and testing for these take.(Hopefully not as long as the 810s) I wonder how long it will take to get them running services.

 

[Nottingham59]

What kind of services are these going to be seen on first?

When they were launched at Innotrans 2024, the chief exec of GBRf suggested on intermodals on the East and West Coast mainlines.

 

[Class15]

When they were launched at Innotrans 2024, the chief exec of GBRf suggested on intermodals on the East and West Coast mainlines.

Presumably moving onto lines like the North London and GOBLIN lines for the last leg?

 

[xotGD]

What kind of services are these going to be seen on first?

Diesel galas?

 

[ayubdaud]

If i were guessing... services from Felixstowe... and the Ford trains that run almost entirely under the wires... maybe even the Hams Hall to Mossend/Seaforth circuit (again, almost entirely under the wires)

Hams Hall to Mossend must 100% be one of the services. The current timetable already has electric 'Y paths' with 4S57, planned as 4S94 which depart at the same time. The Monday to Friday ends up about 1.5 hrs quicker (although weirdly the timings change back to diesel from Beattock Summit, which seems unnecessary) and on Satuday it's 4 hrs quicker to Mossend.

Monday to Friday

Realtime Trains | 4S57 1058 Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal Gbrf | 22/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S57 1058 departure from Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal Gbrf on 22/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Saturday

Realtime Trains | 4S94 1142 Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal | 25/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S94 1142 departure from Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal on 25/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[The Bear]

Diesel galas?

And doubt that the red pen brigade will chomping at the bit.......

Hams Hall to Mossend must 100% be one of the services. The current timetable already has electric 'Y paths' with 4S57, planned as 4S94 which depart at the same time. The Monday to Friday ends up about 1.5 hrs quicker (although weirdly the timings change back to diesel from Beattock Summit, which seems unnecessary) and on Satuday it's 4 hrs quicker to Mossend.

Monday to Friday

Realtime Trains | 4S57 1058 Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal Gbrf | 22/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S57 1058 departure from Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal Gbrf on 22/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Saturday

Realtime Trains | 4S94 1142 Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal | 25/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4S94 1142 departure from Hams Hall Gbrf to Mossend Euroterminal on 25/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Yes, hopefully the Seaforth - Mossend will be one of the first working to get Class99s, as its painful watching 66s staggering over Grayrigg & Shap at 20odd mph.
Which really isn't desirable from a pathing point of view.

It will interesting to see how their performance stacks up against Class92s (which is what the 99s performance will be compared with).
It's shame the Dollands Moor- Irvine china clay tanks don't run any more as that would have been the best comparison test.....

 

[D365]

On the topic of services, has there been any further developments/announcements wrt 10 off Class 99/4 (ETH fitted) ?

 

[99009]

On the topic of services, has there been any further developments/announcements wrt 10 off Class 99/4 (ETH fitted) ?

Not that I know of. Presumably still all under consideration or in discussion between GBRf and Stadler.

As for what the 99's will work first, I expect it to initially be as others have posted. Container and automotive services that spend the vast majority of their time running under wires. That will probably include services to/from London Gateway, Felixstowe, Dagenham and Mossend. Driver training will need to take place before any of that can happen, so where this driver training takes place may offer us the first real clue.

 

[BRX]

Some speculation on what they might work is here:

GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

I think us Brits tend not to properly grasp just how much still moves around continental Europe by river. Last time I looked, the percentage by barge in Europe fairly matched our use of domestic coastal shipping. We may not have big rivers, but we do have a rather large waterway all around us.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[londonmidland]

The move should be departing this afternoon, if all goes to plan.

 

[_toommm_]

The move should be departing this afternoon, if all goes to plan.

Set off on time.

 

[JKF]

Captured them crossing the M49. With apologies for the sound quality, it’s a noisy spot!

(Video shows 66307 towing 99001 & 99002 across the M49 overbridge on the Henbury line)

 

[BRX]

Does it seem reasonable to speculate that the arrival of these locos is the most significant development traction-wise, for uk freight, since the 66s?

I know there are also the 88s and 93s so they don't mark the beginning of bimodes in the uk but somehow, the serious look of them and the fact that they are being deployed by GBRf gives me the feeling that we're going to see them become commonplace quite quickly, and that the clock starts ticking for 66s.

 

[Liam L]

The move should be departing this afternoon, if all goes to plan.

It's left on time however it's been held near Yate due to a line block.

 

[Mag_seven]

It's left on time however it's been held near Yate due to a line block.
View attachment 182114

Signalling problems.

 

[Rail Quest]

Does it seem reasonable to speculate that the arrival of these locos is the most significant development traction-wise, for uk freight, since the 66s?

I completely agree with this. Even just looking at the numbers, if GBRf decide to extend the order, it'll become the largest freight locomotive order since the last sheds arrived. If other FOCs then decide to order some, the numbers could be huge, especially given the immense on-paper capabilities of this class.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I completely agree with this. Even just looking at the numbers, if GBRf decide to extend the order, it'll become the largest freight locomotive order since the last sheds arrived. If other FOCs then decide to order some, the numbers could be huge, especially given the immense on-paper capabilities of this class.

Even if more orders aren't done directly as Class 99, if they prove themselves the era of the EuroDual (88, 93, 99) could well be here.

 

[800001]

I’ve heard from a reliable source that both 99s are planned in for testing next week between Crewe and Carlisle using coaching stock as a load. No idea or times or which days as yet.

 

[JKF]

It's left on time however it's been held near Yate due to a line block.
View attachment 182114

It went through Yate quite slowly (based on a YouTube video), which was good for the people out to watch it there!

There were about a dozen people at Avonmouth split between two bridges, and apparently quite a crowd at Parkway (who were also there for 60103).

 

[GLC]

The move should be departing this afternoon, if all goes to plan.

Saw them sitting at Nuneaton from my Avanti. Didn’t realise they were on the move, it was nice to see them out and about

 

[Nottingham59]

Does it seem reasonable to speculate that the arrival of these locos is the most significant development traction-wise, for uk freight, since the 66s?

Yes, I think it does: their tractive effort exceeds a class 66, and they have three times the power under the wires.

A 99 can haul a full-length 1800t intermodal up the single track hill from Felixstowe in the gap between the passenger services (unlike a 93, which doesn't have the power); and they can get up long steep gradients like Shap in a third of the time taken by a 66.