GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[The Planner]

Just so I can follow this conversation, What would the trailing load be of a 775m intermodal, that was fully populated with typical containers? Thanks

1600-1800t is the agreed timing load for the Southampton to West Midlands and onwards improvements.

 

[Nottingham59]

1600-1800t is the agreed timing load for the Southampton to West Midlands and onwards improvements.

Yes, I understand that. If I can ask my question a different way, how long would an intermodal train be that had a 1600-1800t trailing load?

 

[zwk500]

Yes, I understand that. If I can ask my question a different way, how long would an intermodal train be that had a 1600-1800t trailing load?

A container train will 1800t trailing load is assumed to be 775m. 1600t will be slightly shorter.

 

[66701GBRF]

A container train will 1800t trailing load is assumed to be 775m. 1600t will be slightly shorter.

Not much point increasing train lengths if you can't fully load the train. 775m is about 37x standard wagons plus a loco but you'd only be able to load the train halfway (weight wise).

 

[zwk500]

Not much point increasing train lengths if you can't fully load the train. 775m is about 37x standard wagons plus a loco but you'd only be able to load the train halfway (weight wise).

An FEA wagon tare is 40t and 40m long, So for 775m (minus 20m Class 66) you get 18 wagons (they look like 2 wagons permanently coupled), each capable of taking 2x 60' containers. 18 x 40t is 720t, so you have just under 1080t between 108TEU, or about 10t per TEU. That's about 50% of the total theoretical max load with a dry bulk cargo, however that's not a big problem in the UK as most containers will be containing final products with lots of less dense packaging or be empty returning to the docks.

 

[Peter Sarf]

An FEA wagon tare is 40t and 40m long, So for 775m (minus 20m Class 66) you get 18 wagons (they look like 2 wagons permanently coupled), each capable of taking 2x 60' containers. 18 x 40t is 720t, so you have just under 1080t between 108TEU, or about 10t per TEU. That's about 50% of the total theoretical max load with a dry bulk cargo, however that's not a big problem in the UK as most containers will be containing final products with lots of less dense packaging or be empty returning to the docks.

To add (or subtract) most 60ft wagons have one 40ft container on them (20ft and 60ft boxes seem to be rare). So you can reduce the average weight by a further third. Lots of "wind resistance" with all those 20ft+ gaps between each 40ft box though !.

 

[66701GBRF]

An FEA wagon tare is 40t and 40m long, So for 775m (minus 20m Class 66) you get 18 wagons (they look like 2 wagons permanently coupled), each capable of taking 2x 60' containers. 18 x 40t is 720t, so you have just under 1080t between 108TEU, or about 10t per TEU. That's about 50% of the total theoretical max load with a dry bulk cargo, however that's not a big problem in the UK as most containers will be containing final products with lots of less dense packaging or be empty returning to the docks.

FEA platforms are counted as single wagons, whether twins (FEA A,B,C or G) or actually designed to be single (FEA-S). A lot of 20fts export as scrap metal and are near on full weight.

 

[zwk500]

FEA platforms are counted as single wagons, whether twins (FEA A,B,C or G) or actually designed to be single (FEA-S).

Fair enough, the specs I was quoting were for a twin wagon, I guess going by the 40m length

A lot of 20fts export as scrap metal and are near on full weight.

Again, fair enough but it's not like every train is wanting a full load of 20fts. For each 2 full 20fts you put on a wagon you can put an empty 40ft on and it balances out (bit more complex than that I know).

 

[Mag_seven]

1600-1800t is the agreed timing load for the Southampton to West Midlands and onwards improvements.

Thread unlocked for update.

 

[Nottingham59]

I see that GBRf will be exhibiting the Class 99 at InnoTrans in September

INNOTRANS: One of the 30 Stadler Class 99 electro-diesel locomotives ordered by GB Railfreight through leasing company Beacon Rail will be a highlight of the manufacturer’s presence at InnoTrans, the world’s largest railway industry trade fair which is to be held in Berlin on September 24-27.

Stadler to show GB Railfreight electro-diesel loco in Berlin

INNOTRANS: One of the 30 Stadler Class 99 electro-diesel locomotives ordered by GB Railfreight through leasing company Beacon Rail will be a highlight of the manufacturer's presence at InnoTrans, the world's largest railway industry trade fair which is to be held in Berlin on September 24-27. ...

www.railwaygazette.com

 

[Energy]

First photos of a class 99 have appeared here.

Looks rather nice!

 

[XCTurbostar]

What a beast. It looks to me like the livery has been rushed and that doesn't look like the right Logo font either!

 

[800001]

What a beast. It looks to me like the livery has been rushed and that doesn't look like the right Logo font either!

I don’t think it’s final livery, this will be for the Innotrans show, as it’s Gbrf blue one side, Beacon black on the other.

 

[ac6000cw]

I don’t think it’s final livery, this will be for the Innotrans show, as it’s Gbrf blue one side, Beacon black on the other.

The black and orange Beacon side does look rather nice...

 

[Rail Quest]

First photos of a class 99 have appeared here.

Looks rather nice!

View attachment 163540

View attachment 163541

Wow that looks massive! Do we know how long it is and how this compares with other UK locomotives?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

First photos of a class 99 have appeared here.

Looks rather nice!

View attachment 163540

View attachment 163541

Beautiful looking locos. Thanks for posting.

 

[ac6000cw]

Wow that looks massive! Do we know how long it is and how this compares with other UK locomotives?

AFAIK, the six-axle mainland European 'Duals' are about 23m long (over the buffers), so about 1.6m longer than a 66.

e.g. the Alpha Trains EURO 9000 data - https://www.alphatrains.eu/en/fleet/locofinder/index.php?lid=98&iid=2#locos

 

[66701GBRF]

Wow that looks massive! Do we know how long it is and how this compares with other UK locomotives?

I've read somewhere it's the same length as a 66, 21.39m

 

[800001]

The black and orange Beacon side does look rather nice...

The black Beacon look does look very smart on European Vectron locomotives.

 

[43096]

The black Beacon look does look very smart on European Vectron locomotives.

Ironically, the black for those locos is inherited from MRCE. Beacon's own livery is (was?) blue.

 

[Trainman40083]

To be based at (raspberry) Ripple Lane?

Only the crumbliest Flakiest loco yeah
Hauls like a loco never hauled before.

An explainer link for the younger generation

I scream when I see such jokes.

 

[Pete_uk]

Corr blimey

Looking good. Didn't even notice the lack of yellow front!

 

[childwallblues]

That's interesting to hear, where did you read about all the work at the terminal?

It was made public some time ago and it is probably on the Peel Ports website. It involves altering the road system in the docks to accommodate the extended line.

 

[dmncf]

What is the trapezium-shaped black area below the windscreen?
I think the Class 93 has a similar feature and I had assumed - perhaps wrongly - that it was an indentation to accommodate the Class 93's enormous coupler when in the raised position.

 

[themiller]

What is the trapezium-shaped black area below the windscreen?
I think the Class 93 has a similar feature and I had assumed - perhaps wrongly - that it was an indentation to accommodate the Class 93's enormous coupler when in the raised position.

It looks like a small window covering a camera and a wiper arm with screen cleaner pipe. Maybe used when coupling (without a shunter when using the auto-coupler?).

 

[HamBuoy]

From the Stadler media release for Innotrans. https://stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/2024_0807_media_release_stadler_at_innotrans_2024_en.pdf

The new Class 99 locomotive for the UK market will represent another highlight at InnoTrans. 30 of these locomotives are being built for Beacon Rail for operation by GB Railfreight. The Class 99 is based on the proven EURODUAL locomotive concept and has a dual drive which allows purely electric as well as combined diesel-electric operation. This means that the bi-mode Class 99 can be used on both non-electrified and electrified lines. It can replace locomotives powered purely by diesel to help significantly reduce carbon emissions on the UK railway.

The locomotives are adapted to the British clearance gauge and are narrower and lower than their continental EURODUAL equivalents. Just like their European counterparts, they can reach a speed of 120 km/h and, at 500 kN, are more powerful than any other European mainline locomotives.

The designation Co’Co’ stands for the number and arrangement of the independently driven axles – of which there are six on the Class 99, as on all EURODUAL locomotives. The latest 3-axle bogie technology ensures excellent traction and low track forces at the same time.

Like all Stadler locomotives, the Class 99’s two driver’s cabs have been designed with the operating staff in mind. They offer excellent visibility, a centrally positioned seat and are very comfortable. Camera systems will ensure a direct view of pantographs, the shunting area and the track, helping drivers in poor weather conditions. An advanced remote diagnostics system is integrated into the vehicle control unit. The automatic train protection system combines the two protection systems required on British rail networks, AWS and TPWS. The locomotive is being prepared for installation of the ETCS system.

 

[BRX]

So they'll be the most powerful mainline locos in Europe? Surprising if that's true, given that they have to fit into the UK loading gauge.

 

[Nottingham59]

So they'll be the most powerful mainline locos in Europe? Surprising if that's true, given that they have to fit into the UK loading gauge.

Is that referring to the 6MW on AC Power? Or the 500kN tractive effort?
In either case, that's pretty impressive performance.

 

[Rail Quest]

So they'll be the most powerful mainline locos in Europe? Surprising if that's true, given that they have to fit into the UK loading gauge.

Is that referring to the 6MW on AC Power? Or the 500kN tractive effort?
In either case, that's pretty impressive performance.

I'm assuming it may be referring to tractive effort (given the wording) for locos manufacturered within Europe rather than any locos to operate in the continent. I immediately think of the American-made class 70s which on paper output 534kN starting.

 

[ABB125]

Is that referring to the 6MW on AC Power? Or the 500kN tractive effort?
In either case, that's pretty impressive performance.

Will definitely be a reference to tractive effort. A standard Vectron is 6.4MW power, I think some of the European EuroDuals go up to 7 or 8MW as well.