GBRf’s new Class 99s begin main line dynamic tests

GB Railfreight has wasted no time in getting its recently arrived Stadler Class 99s out onto the national network undergoing dynamic ride tests - a requirement from Network Rail before they can be signed off to run on their own.

Ater arriving from Czechia on June 10, GBRf's Spanish-built bi-mode locomotives were collected from Avonmouth on June 17 and taken to their new depot at Leicester. They then visited the UK Rail Leasing site at Loughborough.

On June 23, 47739 collected both 99001/002 from Loughborough and moved them to Leicester, where newly-named 66313 Lucie then towed 99001 and a rake of Eastern Rail Services coaches as the 1149 Leicester LIP-Crewe. They then returned on the 1546 from Crewe.

The following day, 66313 and 99001 made another trip out as the 0921 Leicester LIP-Crewe, continuing as the 1234 Crewe-Carlisle Kingmoor Sidings. These tests to Carlisle and back continued on June 25-27.

The locomotives are due to move to Peterborough in early July for some live and static testing, prior to a press launch.

Running solo on the network was expected to commence shortly after that event, although Network Rail is still assessing the data recovered from the initial dynamic tests.

Assuming no issues arise from that, or unless NR seeks extra information, signing off for solo testing should then be pretty straightforward.

99001 is undertaking all the dynamic tests as it has been kitted out with the necessary measurement equipment, leaving 99002 at Leicester as a spare test locomotive but also for staff training.