GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[JKF]

Will be nice to hear what one sounds like after only seeing a few in tow so far.

 

[northstaffsman]

I noticed that RTT shows the incoming trip arriving at Parson Street at 08:04 but does not give an arrival time at Porthbury. Can anyone confirm that the loco has arrived?

 

[jazzy]

Traksy shows 0M57 as about to leave the Portbury branch

 

[northstaffsman]

Traksy shows 0M57 as about to leave the Portbury branch

Cheers

 

[43096]

Will be nice to hear what one sounds like after only seeing a few in tow so far.

Based on what I could hear at the Swanage gala, the engine is quiet, with the typical ABB converter sounds audible as a result.

 

[Web4160]

99004 99009 and 99008 passing Pill

 

[The_Train]

Will be nice to hear what one sounds like after only seeing a few in tow so far.

Starts off sounding like an IET (because everything has to sound like that now) and then drifts towards that European loco that sounds like it is making music but only for a couple of notes before it stops and doesn't really make any noise after that

 

[JKF]

Starts off sounding like an IET (because everything has to sound like that now) and then drifts towards that European loco that sounds like it is making music but only for a couple of notes before it stops and doesn't really make any noise after that

Yes, sounded very quiet passing. It seemed to have stopped somewhere in the gorge briefly, as I snapped it by Tunnel No.2, trundled cautiously along the cycle path dodging puddles and was passed by it again by Clifton Bridge Station about six minutes later which came as a surprise. The delay gave me time to snap it at Ashton, where the crossing gates went down twice for some reason adding more delay.

 

[alexl92]

Apologies if this has been covered, I've tried to follow this thread but haven't read all 56 pages.

Is it known what the actual intended use for the 30 Class 99s is? I keep seeing rumours of sleepers etc but nothing actually confirmed.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Is it known what the actual intended use for the 30 Class 99s is? I keep seeing rumours of sleepers etc but nothing actually confirmed.

In general, freight services, allowing parts under wires to run on electric.
The specific ones aren't known yet.

 

[Oxfordblues]

Apologies if this has been covered, I've tried to follow this thread but haven't read all 56 pages.

Is it known what the actual intended use for the 30 Class 99s is? I keep seeing rumours of sleepers etc but nothing actually confirmed.

I'd nominate Liverpool Bulk Terminal to Drax on electric from Olive Mount via Manchester Victoria and up Miles Platting Bank, but that's just me speculating.

 

[crosscity]

99004 working the inbound 0V57

So 0M57 should be 99004 + 99008 99009

... and here they are in Birmingham, heading towards Kings Norton.

The GBrF logo looks as though it has been moved for the latest locos.

20May2026. Northfield (Wychall bridge). Stadler Class 99 99004 99009 99008. [P1240809] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[zwk500]

... and here they are in Birmingham, heading towards Kings Norton.

The GBrF logo looks as though it has been moved for the latest locos.

20May2026. Northfield (Wychall bridge). Stadler Class 99 99004 99009 99008. [P1240809] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

Interesting that the lead loco didn't put the pan up. Presumably it didn't stop at Bromsgrove or Barnt Green and isn't authorised to raise on the move in that area?

 

[ac6000cw]

Presumably it didn't stop at Bromsgrove or Barnt Green and isn't authorised to raise on the move in that area?

I'd guess not. Normal service trains don't need to do it in that area, as they're not bi-modes, so it might not be authorised for anything anyway. It's also not far from Bromsgrove to Kings Norton (where the OHLE stops for trains routed via the Camp Hill line).

 

[Korot]

The GBrF logo looks as though it has been moved for the latest locos.

I think that's because the loading loco, 99004, is moving with its pantograph-side leading (I think that's the 1-end?), while the trailing locos have the pantograph trailing. The side of 99004 we see is the one with the ventilation grills, which block a centred position for the logo.

 

[Dood75]

99005/99006 worked this today

Realtime Trains | 0M76 1446 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Leicester L.I.P. | 20/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M76 1446 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Leicester L.I.P. on 20/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Tobytrain10]

I'd nominate Liverpool Bulk Terminal to Drax on electric from Olive Mount via Manchester Victoria and up Miles Platting Bank, but that's just me speculating.

Im pretty sure i heard they are probably going to use a majority on intermodal services especially on WCML, but im pretty sure theres no confirmation of anything yet, i imagine there will also be lots on ECML freight routes because alot of recent tests have been along that route, although location of tests doesnt really correlate with where the majority run

 

[ac6000cw]

So far today, according to RTT, 99001 + 99003 have worked https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R45835/2026-05-21/detailed and are booked to work the return https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:76398/2026-05-21/detailed

Now on https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R45378/2026-05-21/detailed

 

[99009]

Very brief summary on the past week. This I believe has been what has happened with the 99's, if anyone feels differently please let me know.

Thursday 14th May 2026 - Amphitrite Highway arrives at Portbury Docks with 99008+99009. 99005 does a private charter for ICP.
Friday 15th May 2026 - No Class 99 movements.
Saturday 16th May 2026 - 99005+99006 in action at Bo'ness.
Sunday 17th May 2026 - 99005+99006 do one double headed service in the morning at Bo'ness and then head south to Doncaster Roberts Road.
Monday 18th May 2026 - No Class 99 movements.
Tuesday 19th May 2026 - 99001+99003 in action between Peterborough and Doncaster.
Wednesday 20th May 2026 - 99001+99003 in action between Peterborough and Doncaster, 99004 goes to Portbury and collects 99008+99009 to take them to Leicester and 99005+99006 head south from Doncaster Roberts Road to Leicester. 7/9 Class 99's moved in one day, a new record.

 

[47286Dan]

Thursday afternoon update

99001 GBNX DONCDNDCY 234Z511J21 D * PBOROWWSS N
99002 GBNX LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99003 GBNX DONCDNDCY 234Z511J21 D * PBOROWWSS N
99004 GBNX LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99005 GBNX LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99006 GBNX LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99007 MBEL LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99008 MBEL LESTER SD LESTER SD 8 N
99009 MBEL LESTER SD LESTER SD 8 N

Dan

 

[alexl92]

I'd nominate Liverpool Bulk Terminal to Drax on electric from Olive Mount via Manchester Victoria and up Miles Platting Bank, but that's just me speculating.

Is this the flow that goes over the Calder Valley?

 

[Oxfordblues]

Is this the flow that goes over the Calder Valley?

Yes, it takes a circuitous route via Northwich to avoid the Miles Platting Bank, diesel all-the-way.

 

[99009]

The current locations and status of 99's as of 13:00 Saturday 23rd May 2026 is as follows:

99001 - 159 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 21/05/26 arriving on 4Z93.
99002 - 129 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 13/05/26 arriving on 0Q30.
99003 - 52 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 21/05/26 arriving on 4Z93.
99004 - 30 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 20/05/26 arriving on 0M57.
99005 - 33 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 20/05/26 arriving on 0M76.
99006 - 35 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 20/05/26 arriving on 0M76.
99007 - 6 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 13/05/26 arriving on 0Q30.
99008 - 1 confirmed mainline working - Currently at Leicester depot since 20/05/26 arriving on 0M57.
99009 - 1 confirmed mainline working - Currently at Leicester depot since 20/05/26 arriving on 0M57.

All of the above should stay like this until tomorrow afternoon when there will be a swap between Leicester and Peterborough.

0Z38 Leicester - Peterborough:

Realtime Trains | 0Z38 1152 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf | 24/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z38 1152 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf on 24/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Z45 Peterborough - Leicester:

Realtime Trains | 0Z45 1413 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. | 24/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z45 1413 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. on 24/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Next week w/c Monday 25th May 2026 there are more movements between Peterborough and Doncaster Decoy (too many different schedules to list here), but with 2 key differences. a) There are schedules to run Monday - Friday and not just Tuesday - Thursday and b) Some of these schedules are light engine only and involve leaving the wagons at Doncaster Decoy between runs to/from Peterborough yard before then collecting them again.

 

[Tobytrain10]

0Z38 allocated 99002, 99007, 99008, and 99009

 

[99009]

0Z38 allocated 99002, 99007, 99008, and 99009

The first time 4 99's have been in the same consist. If anyone sees a video or can confirm the consist order, please let me know!

 

[47286Dan]

The first time 4 99's have been in the same consist. If anyone sees a video or can confirm the consist order, please let me know!

The order is

99008 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99009 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99002 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99007 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF

Dan

 

[PJM]

The order is

99008 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99009 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99002 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF
99007 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z382N24 F PBONYGBRF

Dan

Facebook picture by Keith Doubleday 0Z38 99s 009/008/007002 Leicester - Peterborough 47286Dan I believe your order is correct.

 

[800001]

Facebook picture by Dan Doubleday 0Z38 99s 009/008/007002 Leicester - Peterborough

Pictures I've seen show 008 leading.

 

[PJM]

Pictures I've seen show 008 leading.

Yes it is.

 

[D1537]

In Pboro yard last night in order (from north) 007/002/009/008. Just gone past this morning and the latter 3 are still there, 007 has gone.