GB Railfreight (GBRf), one of the UK’s largest transporters of consumer and business goods, unveiled its new hybrid Class 99 locomotive at InnoTrans in Berlin on Wednesday 25 September, signalling a significant leap forward in decarbonising the UK’s rail freight industry.
The new Class 99s are expected to reduce emissions by up to 58% per journey compared to the industry norm (the Class 66s) and are being offered exclusively to GBRf customers as a new solution for the sustainable movement of goods across the UK.
These hybrid trains are the first heavy-haul freight locomotives capable of moving significant volume at mainline speeds on electrified and non-electrified sections of the rail network. The new trains will shorten journey times and drive efficiencies for customers across the UK’s transport infrastructure.
The UK moves c. GBP 30 billion worth of goods by rail each year. GBRf’s investment in the Class 99s aligns with the Government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower and will help reduce the environmental impact of transporting goods. This will empower businesses and consumers to make greener purchasing decisions.
“Rail freight has long been the cleanest, safest and most efficient way of transporting goods and the Class 99s are a game-changing moment for the UK rail freight industry. These locomotives offer our customers the chance to run faster, wholly sustainable, heavy-haul services across length and breadth of the country.”
The Class 99 has been designed in collaboration with Beacon Rail and Stadler, who are manufacturing them at their Valencia factory. The first locomotive is expected to arrive in the UK in Spring 2025 and the full fleet is due to be operational by the end of 2026.
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