GBRf discussing plans for ten Class 99s to be ETS fitted and have 100mph top speed

GB Railfreight has confirmed it is in negotiations to have ten locomotives in its order for Stadler Class 99 bi-mode electro-diesels fitted with Electric Train Supply (ETS) at construction.

GBRf has also not ruled out having a further batch of Class 99s, possibly a dozen, fitted with Dellner couplers and increased ETS output.

The latter would make them ideal for working Caledonian Sleeper trains, following the operator’s recently announced aspiration to start using bi-mode locomotives on its Anglo-Scottish Sleeper services.

The first 20 of the Stadler locomotives, being built in Valencia in Spain, will remain as 75mph ‘no heat’ freight locomotives (numbered 99001- 020).

But the next ten are likely to be 100mph ETS locomotives. And while they are presently expected to be 99021-030, that could change if a different sub-class differentiation is required.

The ten ETS ‘99s’ would also be able to work both the Royal Scotsman and the Britannic Explorer train without the need for an onboard generator car.

For the former, that could allow removal of the generator and the fitting of four extra berths, increasing its carrying potential from 36 to 40 passengers - equating to a major improvement in efficiency.

Unless Royal Scotsman owner Belmond agrees to any ETS Class 99 in GBRf livery being used to haul its trains, it would most likely mean that at least two ETS ‘99s’ would be painted in the matching RS livery.

The first two Class 99s should arrive in the country in June, having undergone extensive testing in Velim in the Czech Republic.