The first locomotive in Britain’s principal freight fleet to be fitted with digital signalling equipment has now moved to dynamic testing on a test track.
The Class 66 (DB Cargo Class 66039) is the ‘First in Class’ (FiC) and successfully completed static testing after being fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment.
The fitment took place at the Progress Rail depot in Doncaster and then hauled to Network Rail’s Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Old Dalby, Leicestershire which is already equipped for ETCS testing. Here, the locomotive will undergo various tests over the coming weeks.
The Class 66 is the most common freight locomotive on Britain’s tracks, and it is hoped, once the FiC is tested, that many more of them will be upgraded with digital signalling. This will include the Trainguard 200 on-board equipment that has been provided by Siemens Mobility.
Getting the Class 66 to the test track has been a collaborative effort with many of the country’s freight operators having contributed to the locomotive’s base design as well as sharing learnings with each other throughout the process.
The base design has taken over 16 months from the start of retrofitting to get to the point of track testing and will form the basis of regulatory approval for all types of Class 66 and eventually its sister fleet, the Class 67.
Ed Akers, Network Rail’s principal sponsor, East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), said: “The task of retrofitting hundreds of freight locomotives is one of the biggest challenges we face in the transition to a digital future. The Class 66 FiC project has required innovation, tenacity, and perseverance to get to this point.”
Over the next few years, a programme of ETCS fitment will be undertaken across the whole fleet with many delivering ‘no signals’ operations through the ECDP.
Neil Ethell, chief operating officer, DB Cargo UK, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for DB Cargo (UK) on the journey to becoming European Train Control System (ETCS) ready.
“We’re incredibly proud to be undertaking the first in class fitment of a Class 66. Overall, the design and installation for the Class 66 has taken 4 years, which shows the level of complexity in a retro fitment project of this scale. We’re excited to see how it performs under rigorous testing at RIDC”.
These sentiments were echoed by Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility, Rob Morris, who commented: “The Class 66 moving to RIDC marks a major step forward for the Programme. Our teams and fitment partners have worked tirelessly to deliver.”
The locomotive will now undergo dynamic testing at RIDC and after that the locomotive will accumulate 5,000 miles of fault free running before going through the necessary regulatory approvals.
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