DB Cargo soldiers on with Class 92s for Channel Tunnel duties

DB Cargo UK is unable to replace its fleet of 30-year-old Class 92 locomotives which work through the Channel Tunnel until at least 2035, because newer locomotives are not able to be retrofitted with the in-cab signalling system used on HS1 and the England-France link.

“On top of the high access charges, we also have elevated maintenance costs of the ‘92s’ because they are the only freight locomotive cleared for use in the tunnel,” Kathryn Oldale, Head of Strategy, Policy and Communications at DB Cargo UK, told RAIL.

“The ’92s’ are an expensive and valuable asset. Until we get the absolute confirmation that ERTMS [European Rail Traffic Management System] will be deployed through the tunnel and on HS1, we’re in a limbo state of maintaining our expensive assets which we use on expensive infrastructure.”

Built between 1993 and 1996, the class was designed for use through the Channel Tunnel, both for freight and the ill-fated Nightstar services.

DB currently has six operational examples of the class, while a further 11 are stored.

GB Railfeight currently has 12 operational examples, although the majority are tied to Caledonian Sleeper work.

Oldale said DB looked at the viability of procuring Siemens Vectron locomotives as a replacement, but this has been discounted because “at this point the manufacturer of TVM430 won’t retrofit it to any other locomotive type.

“This means that the ’92’s are an incredibly valuable asset for international rail freight growth. It is a super locomotive for international freight, but because of the age, we must start looking for its successor,“ she said.

“While this adds a different dimension to our international operations, it also makes it an exciting time to be securing the future of international rail freight.”