GB Railfreight tests UK’s most powerful locomotive

The train of 20 IIA hopper wagons had 69014 EMD Longport inside for insurance and 69013 on the rear, bringing the total weight on the drawhook to 910 tonnes.

The test run breaks a new record for the most powerful single locomotive on the UK network, at 8,200hp. The previous most powerful locomotives have been the 6,760hp Class 92s.

The following night, 99001 and 99002 operated together, with the same load of 20 wagons and two Class 69s. Six days earlier the Class 99s were formally launched to the press, staff and stakeholders at an event at Peterborough depot where GBRf CEO John Smith OBE highlighted that it was imperative that the company invested in new, state-of-the-art technology.

Each ‘99’ built at Stadler’s Valencia factory costs approximately £5 million. The fleet of 30 is being leased through Beacon Rail. 99003, which will have very slight tweaks to its decals and number positions, is expected to land in the UK in October and thereafter two new locomotives should arrive every month until late 2026.

Full story at RailMagazine.com