GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[99009]

For anyone interested, or like me taking records for historical purposes, 4Q88 Wellingborough - Carlisle ran off route for part of the schedule last night.

Instead of going WCML Nuneaton - Stafford, 4Q88 went via the following route at the following times:

Water Orton (01:00), Park Lane Jn, Ryecroft Jn, Walsall (01:25 – 01:34), Pleck Jn, Darlaston Jn, Portobello Jn, Bushbury Jn and Penkridge (01:56) reaching Stafford and regaining its booked WCML route at 02:01.

I'm not sure what the consist of 4Q88 was if anyone can help with that please? I think the 99's were at the front and 69010 was at the back, but no idea which 99 was leading or what the wagons were.

As of right now, there's no obvious paths for the next moves for the 99's from Carlisle Kingmoor.

 

[800001]

For anyone interested, or like me taking records for historical purposes, 4Q88 Wellingborough - Carlisle ran off route for part of the schedule last night.

Instead of going WCML Nuneaton - Stafford, 4Q88 went via the following route at the following times:

Water Orton (01:00), Park Lane Jn, Ryecroft Jn, Walsall (01:25 – 01:34), Pleck Jn, Darlaston Jn, Portobello Jn, Bushbury Jn and Penkridge (01:56) reaching Stafford and regaining its booked WCML route at 02:01.

I'm not sure what the consist of 4Q88 was if anyone can help with that please? I think the 99's were at the front and 69010 was at the back, but no idea which 99 was leading or what the wagons were.

As of right now, there's no obvious paths for the next moves for the 99's from Carlisle Kingmoor.

Carlisle to Tonbridge tomorrow I am lead to believe.

 

[HST125Scorton]

For anyone interested, or like me taking records for historical purposes, 4Q88 Wellingborough - Carlisle ran off route for part of the schedule last night.

Instead of going WCML Nuneaton - Stafford, 4Q88 went via the following route at the following times:

Water Orton (01:00), Park Lane Jn, Ryecroft Jn, Walsall (01:25 – 01:34), Pleck Jn, Darlaston Jn, Portobello Jn, Bushbury Jn and Penkridge (01:56) reaching Stafford and regaining its booked WCML route at 02:01.

I'm not sure what the consist of 4Q88 was if anyone can help with that please? I think the 99's were at the front and 69010 was at the back, but no idea which 99 was leading or what the wagons were.

As of right now, there's no obvious paths for the next moves for the 99's from Carlisle Kingmoor.

99002, 99001 with 20 JNAs and 69010 passed me at 0321 in Preston this morning. Will work back south as 4Q89 tomorrow morning with 99001, 99002 with 20 JNAs and 69010: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:22351/2025-10-22/detailed

 

[99009]

Cheers both of you for filling in those details, I appreciate that. More places are seeing their 99 debut tomorrow morning then!

 

[BRX]

Here they are on their way to Tonbridge just now, their first ever visit to South London! (This must be the first time they've crossed the Thames?)

I wonder if they will become a common sight here in time.

 

[92002]

Here they are on their way to Tonbridge just now, their first ever visit to South London! (This must be the first time they've crossed the Thames?)

I wonder if they will become a common sight here in time.

Not staying for long due to go back to Wellingborough tomorrow in Daylight at 1328

 

[jomo]

Looks like they will be running up to Wellingborough from Tonbridge tomorrow.

Realtime Trains | 4Q90 1318 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf | 23/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q90 1318 departure from Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf on 23/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then from there head up to Leicester LIP

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 1913 Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. | 23/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 1913 departure from Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. on 23/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2025 ==

There is also this which may or may not be a 99. I haven't been able to find the path from Tonbridge to Wembley Receptions

Realtime Trains | 4Q90 1534 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf | 24/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q90 1534 departure from Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf on 24/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

ORR Authorisation for Class 99 now published:

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/stadler-class-99-orr-authorisation-letter-2025-10-21.pdf

 

[Class73Electro]

ORR Authorisation for Class 99 now published:

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/stadler-class-99-orr-authorisation-letter-2025-10-21.pdf

Feel a bit silly here - does this mean they are now good to go?

 

[zwk500]

Feel a bit silly here - does this mean they are now good to go?

I think this just means the ORR are happy. NR would still need to issue route clearance (although it may have the certificates all sitting in the system ready to go).

 

[Class73Electro]

I think this just means the ORR are happy. NR would still need to issue route clearance (although it may have the certificates all sitting in the system ready to go).

Ok - thanks!

 

[zwk500]

Ok - thanks!

I'm not very well across the rolling stock process so could be wrong, I'm sure a more knowledgeable person will be along soon enough.

 

[BRX]

Looks like they will be running up to Wellingborough from Tonbridge tomorrow.

This is underway at the moment, and provided an opportunity (as they passed through South London) to record them doing a bit of work in diesel mode. For those curious about what that sounds like:

 

[99009]

Cheers for posting that from the ORR @zwk500 and I think some on here will find Appendix 1 interesting. It's a full list of the EVN numbers for the entire order from 99001 (91 70 0099 001-5) to 99030 (91 70 0099 030-4).

 

[800001]

Does anyone know the latest updates on when 99003 is likely to appear in the UK?

It was originally due October, but has suffered delays due to flooding in Spain earlier in the year.

 

[Dixie]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know whether any consideration was given to adding 3rd rail capability at any time, or would the system be unlikely to cope with the additional energy requirements?

 

[BRX]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know whether any consideration was given to adding 3rd rail capability at any time, or would the system be unlikely to cope with the additional energy requirements?

Yes I have wondered about this too. Including whether it could be a feature of a future sub-class.

 

[43096]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know whether any consideration was given to adding 3rd rail capability at any time, or would the system be unlikely to cope with the additional energy requirements?

The system would be unlikely to cope with the power need. There’s an interview in the current Rail (I didn’t buy it!) with Freightliner CEO Tim Shoveller and he makes exactly that point around power supplies.

 

[zwk500]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know whether any consideration was given to adding 3rd rail capability at any time, or would the system be unlikely to cope with the additional energy requirements?

I believe 3rd rail capability was looked at but GBRf wanted to keep it simple. The idea of the class 99 is that the diesel mode is as capable as their current diesel fleet, AIUI, so 3rd rail offered limited benefits. Will have to relisten to the green signals interview again to double check though.

 

[31160]

Has anyone said what other classes they will multi with or is it just within class only?

 

[littledude]

Has anyone said what other classes they will multi with or is it just within class only?

They can multi via AAR as well as within own class, so 66s for example.

 

[99009]

This Green Signals video about the Class 99's should answer the questions by @Dixie and @31160 above and will probably be interesting to anyone else wanting to learn more about them.

Regarding the question about when 99003 onwards will arrive, I haven't seen anything, but if that changes I will post it here if no one else has.

I have 3 questions which I would be grateful for assistance with please.

1. Now that the 99's are authorised for entry into service by the ORR, does anyone know if this means that moves planned to involve a 99 are no longer required to have a Q in the headcodes?

2. When 4Q90 Tonbridge - Wellingborough passed Denmark Hill on 23rd October 2025, the consist was 99002+99001+69016+20 GBRF box wagons+69014. However when 4Q90 passed Bedford, the consist was 69014+99002+99001+69016+20 GBRF box wagons. Where did the 69 go from the rear of the train to the front of the train, was it Wembley yard?

If so, am I correct to assume 99002 worked 4Q90 Tonbridge - Wembley Yard, then 69014 worked 4Q90 Wembley Yard - Wellingborough and then, after arriving at Wellingborough, the consist order of 0Q90 Wellingborough - Leicester was 99002+99001+69014?

 

[Adrian Barr]

1) I think the ORR clearance is high-level clearance relating to the locos meeting various standards, but the Q headcodes are required until they get proper route clearance. This recent RAIL article is paywalled but it refers to the ORR "Authorisation for Placing into Service" and goes on to state (in a snippet that appeared in a google search for class 99 route clearance):

The class 99s cannot however begin revenue service until Network Rail has issued route clearance, which is expected to be shortly.
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/the-orr-authorisies-gb-railfreight-s-class-99-for-uk-operations

I think route clearance involves NRAP documents (Network Rail Assurance Panel). I don't know the exact process, but in general terms this can either be limited / temporary authority for specific movements (with the Q headcodes), or more general clearance where vehicles are formally cleared for specific routes in the sectional appendix for example.

2) 99002 was still on the front through Kensington Olympia, as seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32227368@N08/54874933780/ (Photo: mothmachine)
Looking at the schedule, I think the locos were swapped around at Acton Lane Reception sidings (adjacent to Willesden Euroterminal on the down side) where the train was planned to recess for 45 minutes. It took "S line" at Willesden West London Jn, which I think is the South West Goods leading into Acton Lane / Willesden Euroterminal / Willesden South West sdgs. It took 43 minutes to get from Willesden West London Jn to Sudbury Jn which also suggests it went into Acton Lane.

It would also have had time to enter Wembley receptions for a loco swap there, but it was booked to sit on the Willesden Relief lines which are less convenient for a loco swap, and I don't think a casual switch to a nearby location not on the schedule is the sort of thing normally permitted on a Q headcode. Between Wembley and Bedford I can't see any plausible location for a loco swap or the time to do it.

0Q90 appears in a YouTube short here "Blasting through Kettering" -

(Channel: Sir Quacklers)
I can't make out the numbers of the 99s, it says 99001 / 99002 / 69014 but I don't see any obvious reason why the 99s would have ended up the other way round compared to 4Q90 where 99002 was leading.

 

[800001]

Lead to believe that below path from RTT, will be both 99s.

Realtime Trains | 4Q45 2136 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q45 2136 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[99009]

Thank you @Adrian Barr for your reply, records now edited.

To add to the post above by @800001 tomorrow will be the day a 99 visits Hams Hall container terminal for the very 1st time.

The 1st movement is in the morning, a short schedule to Wigston North Jn:

Realtime Trains | 0Q78 1016 Leicester L.I.P. to Wigston North Jn | 10/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q78 1016 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Wigston North Jn on 10/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This is to go on the front of 4M78 from Parkeston here, although a VSTP schedule direct has since appeared which may mean this no longer happens?

Realtime Trains | 4Q78 1058 Wigston North Jn to Hams Hall Gbrf | 10/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q78 1058 departure from Wigston North Jn to Hams Hall Gbrf on 10/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then an afternoon departure from Hams Hall in the 4L53 path, subject to whatever happens above:

Realtime Trains | 4Q53 1506 Hams Hall Gbrf to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf | 10/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q53 1506 departure from Hams Hall Gbrf to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf on 10/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Followed by the schedule posted by 800001 above to Millerhill:

Realtime Trains | 4Q45 2136 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q45 2136 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then stabling at and making a 1st ever visit to Edinburgh Waverley early on Tuesday morning:

Realtime Trains | 0Q50 0430 Millerhill S.S. to Edinburgh | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q50 0430 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Edinburgh on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Departing Edinburgh Waverley and passing Haymarket in just about daylight on Tuesday afternoon back to Millerhill:

Realtime Trains | 0Q50 1554 Edinburgh to Millerhill S.S. | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q50 1554 departure from Edinburgh to Millerhill S.S. on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And finally for now 2 schedules (4Q38+4Q40) of overnight testing around Scotland running to/from Millerhill:

Realtime Trains | 4Q38 1847 Millerhill S.S. to Millerhill S.S. | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q38 1847 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Millerhill S.S. on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 4Q40 2205 Millerhill S.S. to Millerhill S.S. | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q40 2205 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Millerhill S.S. on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[timstours]

Can anybody tell me why the 99s weren't built with ETH ,All new continental Siemens Vectrons and Alstom TRAXX locos have ETH built in and do work passenger and freight. All I can think of perhaps there is no room to put the extra cables etc in the UK version

 

[D365]

Can anybody tell me why the 99s weren't built with ETH ,All new continental Siemens Vectrons and Alstom TRAXX locos have ETH built in and do work passenger and freight. All I can think of perhaps there is no room to put the extra cables etc in the UK version

GBRf has already advised that there will be a ’99/4’ subfleet with ETH fitted. Ostensibly for use on Belmond’s Britannic Explorer charter train.

 

[JonathanH]

Can anybody tell me why the 99s weren't built with ETH ,All new continental Siemens Vectrons and Alstom TRAXX locos have ETH built in and do work passenger and freight. All I can think of perhaps there is no room to put the extra cables etc in the UK version

There isn't any passenger work for them to do, and this batch has been procured for freight work. Haven't GBRf said they will get some more, with ETH, if they decide to use them for the Caledonian Sleeper?

 

[43096]

GBRf has already advised that there will be a ’99/4’ subfleet with ETH fitted. Ostensibly for use on Belmond’s Britannic Explorer charter train.

ETH is not required for the Britannic Explorer as it has Irish standard train supply and a generator van in the formation. It would be mighty cold on board (not to say no food available) otherwise, as it is Class 66 hauled.

 

[43096]

There isn't any passenger work for them to do, and this batch has been procured for freight work. Haven't GBRf said they will get some more, with ETH, if they decide to use them for the Caledonian Sleeper?

That doesn't really answer the question, as a big proportion of the TRAXX and Vectron fleet mentioned above doesn't work on anything but freight.