Freightliner monitoring tests on tri-mode Class 93s as potential replacements for diesel locos

Freightliner is looking to evaluate the new Stadler Class 93s, ten of which have been built for Rail Operations Group (ROG), to assess their suitability for use on its trains.

The operator is interested in the tri-mode Bo-Bo locomotives as possible replacements for diesel locomotives on flows that spend the majority of their time under the wires, but which currently need to be diesel-hauled at either or both ends of the journey because a railhead is not wired.

Their current couplings will be removed before Freightliner assesses the design.

93001/002 are in the UK and have been undergoing limited testing on both the main line between Sheffield and Worksop and at the Rail Innovation and Development Centre at Melton Mowbray.

Main line testing on the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Carlisle is still planned.

The delays in these tests starting have principally been down to delays in NR confirming that the RIDC pulse testing was a success.

Because the ‘93s’ are so powerful, NR had concerns about the locomotives interfering with the overhead line equipment. NR is now happy with the testing, but has yet to sign off the relevant paperwork.

However, the delays have had one beneficial effect for ROG, with the WCML runs now taking place after the worst of the leaf fall season has passed.

The other eight locomotives (93003-010) have been built in Valencia and are waiting to be shipped to the UK. They are stored in a shed near the docks and were not affected by the recent flooding in the area.

They are expected to be shipped once the main line testing has been completed and any modifications that arise have been identified. It has been decided that if any modifications are necessary, they will be carried out on the locomotives while still in Spain.