GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[Nottingham59]

This post - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gbrf-class-99-30-locomotives-now-ordered.228787/post-7085424 (and the following ones) covers some of the 99 vs 92 vs double-90s debate - in theory, I think probably 2 x 90 should be tops (33% more axles with more weight on each than a 99), the 99 second and the 92 in third place, but once they get out of the adhesion-limited speed range the OHLE current limit becomes the main power limiting factor. Except of course the 99 is infinitely more capable than other two when the OHLE runs out...

It will be interesting to see the sectional running times for the 99, and the maximum permitted trailing load over the various sections of the WCML

 

[Trainman40083]

The 99s are said to be off to Crewe on Monday, around lunchtime.

 

[Class15]

The 99s are said to be off to Crewe on Monday, around lunchtime.

Seems to do the following:

Monday: Leicester-Crewe, Crewe-Leicester
Tuesday: Leicester-Crewe, Crewe-Carlisle Kingmoor

Nothing showing after that.

 

[800001]

Seems to do the following:

Monday: Leicester-Crewe, Crewe-Leicester
Tuesday: Leicester-Crewe, Crewe-Carlisle Kingmoor

Nothing showing after that.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it is Carlisle to Leicester returns. Although imagine Friday would term at Leicester.

From what I’ve heard the moves involve a 66 dragging 99 on all moves, so not sure what the purpose of these tests are

 

[Rail Quest]

For electric mode it would be very interesting to see a comparison with class92 data.
Which in reality is what their performance over the northern WCML will be judged against.

Assuming my original graph is correct, this would be what the class 92 comparison would look like. The orange line represents the class 92 (power: 5.04 MW, starting TE: 360 kN)

 

[ac6000cw]

This might be the coaching stock move today from Yarmouth to Leicester LIP for next week's test runs - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K37013/2025-06-21/detailed#allox_id=0

Just seen it go past - a set of five aircon Mk 2s behind a 66.

 

[Suraggu]

This might be the coaching stock move today from Yarmouth to Leicester LIP for next week's test runs - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K37013/2025-06-21/detailed#allox_id=0

Various paths now in the system for Monday.

0Z30 Leicester LIP - Brush Loughborough

Realtime Trains | 0Z30 0645 Leicester L.I.P. to Loughborough Brush | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z30 0645 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Loughborough Brush on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q30 Brush Loughborough - Leicester LIP

Realtime Trains | 0Q30 0858 Loughborough Brush to Leicester L.I.P. | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q30 0858 departure from Loughborough Brush to Leicester L.I.P. on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q30 Leicester LIP - Crewe

Realtime Trains | 5Q30 1149 Leicester L.I.P. to Crewe | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q30 1149 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Crewe on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q31 Crewe - Leicester LIP

Realtime Trains | 5Q31 1546 Crewe to Leicester L.I.P. | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q31 1546 departure from Crewe to Leicester L.I.P. on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[800001]

Not seen any paths yet, but 99001 and 002 are due to move to Peterborough next Monday and then onto Old Dalby on Thursday.

 

[Class15]

Not seen any paths yet, but 99001 and 002 are due to move to Peterborough next Monday and then onto Old Dalby on Thursday.

Excellent progress. Any knowledge on how long they might be at Old Dalby for?

 

[800001]

Excellent progress. Any knowledge on how long they might be at Old Dalby for?

I have none, just that they were moving there.

 

[92002]

I have none, just that they were moving there.

Seems the test train to Carlisle is running again today.

 

[HJ10001]

Once 001 & 002 have been tested at Old Dalby, will the solo mainline tests then take place?

 

[Bevan Price]

Seems the test train to Carlisle is running again today.

Yes. 66313 + 99001.

Southbound path to return South on Friday 27 June.
5Q40, 10:01 Kingmoor - Crewe (13:13)

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1001 Carlisle Kingmoor Sdg(Drs) to Crewe | 27/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1001 departure from Carlisle Kingmoor Sdg(Drs) to Crewe on 27/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[train_lover]

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it is Carlisle to Leicester returns. Although imagine Friday would term at Leicester.

From what I’ve heard the moves involve a 66 dragging 99 on all moves, so not sure what the purpose of these tests are

This week's testing is all about ride quality control.

For those talking about planned work. Despite obvious routes it all comes down to whether the customer is willing to pay more per train from a class 99 v a class 66.

So whilst many routes that have been suggested are good it'll simply come to £££

 

[99009]

Not seen any paths yet, but 99001 and 002 are due to move to Peterborough next Monday and then onto Old Dalby on Thursday.

Given the 0Qxx headcode, I'll guess that this is the path for the 99's to move from Leicester to Peterborough on Monday:

Realtime Trains | 0Q94 1548 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf | 30/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q94 1548 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf on 30/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Rail Quest]

Given the 0Qxx headcode, I'll guess that this is the path for the 99's to move from Leicester to Peterborough on Monday:

Realtime Trains | 0Q94 1548 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf | 30/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q94 1548 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf on 30/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Interestingly, before this move on the same day, there's what appears to be a run from Leicester to Leicester as seen here:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 1121 Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. | 30/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 1121 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. on 30/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The above RTT link indicates the leading locomotive runs round at both Melton Mowbray Up Loop and Toton Centre, so this will presumably be another Class 66-hauled run again, though this time without the coaches. What could be the purpose of this?

 

[themiller]

Interestingly, before this move on the same day, there's what appears to be a run from Leicester to Leicester as seen here:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 1121 Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. | 30/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 1121 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. on 30/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The above RTT link indicates the leading locomotive runs round at both Melton Mowbray Up Loop and Toton Centre, so this will presumably be another Class 66-hauled run again, though this time without the coaches. What could be the purpose of this?

Would this move get the 99s A-end to A-end (or B to B) to speed up some tests?

 

[Suraggu]

Interestingly, before this move on the same day, there's what appears to be a run from Leicester to Leicester as seen here:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 1121 Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. | 30/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 1121 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. on 30/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The above RTT link indicates the leading locomotive runs round at both Melton Mowbray Up Loop and Toton Centre, so this will presumably be another Class 66-hauled run again, though this time without the coaches. What could be the purpose of this?

Current rumours doing the rounds is ride quality.

 

[furnessvale]

This week's testing is all about ride quality control.

For those talking about planned work. Despite obvious routes it all comes down to whether the customer is willing to pay more per train from a class 99 v a class 66.

So whilst many routes that have been suggested are good it'll simply come to £££

Routes are one thing but paths on busy routes are something else.

If a 99 can open up paths eg over Shap/Beattock, that would not be possible with a 66, then the £££ question takes on a new meaning.

 

[31160]

Caledonian sleepers mybee looking to replace the unreliable class 73 parts of their traction and this may lean the way of certain ETH locos so to arrive, very strong rumours on yesterday's tour from certain well placed railway managers

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Caledonian sleepers mybee looking to replace the unreliable class 73 parts of their traction and this may lean the way of certain ETH locos so to arrive, very strong rumours on yesterday's tour from certain well placed railway managers

Caledonian Sleeper did issue a traction tender a couple of months back which seemed to fit the 99s...

 

[800001]

Caledonian Sleeper did issue a traction tender a couple of months back which seemed to fit the 99s...

I thought the 99s as they currently are, would not be suitable due the power power requirement of the Mk5s?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought the 99s as they currently are, would not be suitable due the power power requirement of the Mk5s?

Ten of them are apparently to be built with a higher train supply rating.

 

[800001]

Ten of them are apparently to be built with a higher train supply rating.

Ah, that would make sense.

 

[D6975]

If they are to replace the 73s then a high EH rating is not required as they would only be working the short portions, not a full 16 coach rake. An enhanced EH rating is only needed south of Glasgow/Edinburgh.

 

[ac6000cw]

Ten of them are apparently to be built with a higher train supply rating.

AFAIK the current version of the cl. 99 doesn't have any ETS supply capability at all, being intended for freight use. (The ROG 93s do, as they are 'mixed-traffic' locos).

So it isn't about uprating it, it's about adding it (and I think there was talk of increasing the top speed on the ETS-equipped version as well).

 

[Wyrleybart]

AFAIK the current version of the cl. 99 doesn't have any ETS supply capability at all, being intended for freight use. (The ROG 93s do, as they are 'mixed-traffic' locos).

So it isn't about uprating it, it's about adding it (and I think there was talk of increasing the top speed on the ETS-equipped version as well).

I have seen online "suggestions" about the 99021-99030 being built with ETS but it is probably supposition, and I would have expected GBRf to have specified it at the contract stage. However, I believe there is a gap between building the first few of the class, and the rest, in order for tweaks to be made o he design, so maybe that could fit.

It might make sense for the 99s to be deployed on the caley sleepers, so if they are receiving ETS for the Mk5s, I imagine they would fit the full shebang rather than "lite" for north of Edinburgh. It would provide considerable flexibilty to GBRf / CS in situations like last night when the four sleeper trains were turned round and sent back due to a line blockage. For example, if operated by ETS 99s could the northbound trains turned right at Warrington and run "non stop" to York then up the ECML into Scotland, and vice versa. vy ha trains

 

[800001]

I have seen online "suggestions" about the 99021-99030 being built with ETS but it is probably supposition, and I would have expected GBRf to have specified it at the contract stage. However, I believe there is a gap between building the first few of the class, and the rest, in order for tweaks to be made o he design, so maybe that could fit.

It might make sense for the 99s to be deployed on the caley sleepers, so if they are receiving ETS for the Mk5s, I imagine they would fit the full shebang rather than "lite" for north of Edinburgh. It would provide considerable flexibilty to GBRf / CS in situations like last night when the four sleeper trains were turned round and sent back due to a line blockage. For example, if operated by ETS 99s could the northbound trains turned right at Warrington and run "non stop" to York then up the ECML into Scotland, and vice versa. vy ha trains

No they wouldn’t be able to divert via ECML. As that takes considerable planning and resource to crew those trains when they are pre-planned to run that way.

 

[zwk500]

I have seen online "suggestions" about the 99021-99030 being built with ETS but it is probably supposition, and I would have expected GBRf to have specified it at the contract stage. However, I believe there is a gap between building the first few of the class, and the rest, in order for tweaks to be made o he design, so maybe that could fit.

Regrettably it's paywalled, but RAIL reported it in April:

GBRf discussing plans for ten Class 99s to be ETS fitted and have 100mph top speed

GB Railfreight has not ruled out a further batch being fitted with Dellner couplers

www.railmagazine.com

 

[Dan G]

This week's testing is all about ride quality control.

For those talking about planned work. Despite obvious routes it all comes down to whether the customer is willing to pay more per train from a class 99 v a class 66.

So whilst many routes that have been suggested are good it'll simply come to £££

Much lower fuel costs on electricity than on diesel, of course.