GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[zwk500]

That's really interesting. Did the 99 definitely run unassisted up the gradient on electric on Monday then? It's probably worth pointing out as well that, if all 24 wagons were loaded on Monday and/or today, the total trailing weight should be more like 2500 tonnes when we factor in the 66, right?

Well 6Z59 is currently at Eccles, according to RTT, so not long to wait...

 

[Geeves]

I can confirm the 99 came through Victoria on Monday at Speed and didn't hear the 66 all and it's seemingly made it up the bank today as well about to set off from a standing start at the top.

Very impressive!

 

[ac6000cw]

I can confirm the 99 came through Victoria on Monday at Speed and didn't hear the 66 all and it's seemingly made it up the bank today as well about to set off from a standing start at the top.

Very impressive!

Any idea how many wagons it's hauling?

 

[Pete 1981]

Any idea how many wagons it's hauling?

Just seen this morning's working with 66749 behind, stopped in P4 at Victoria and seemed to cope with the uphill start

 

[Geeves]

Any idea how many wagons it's hauling?

To me it looks like a regular full set as far as Monday's job is concerned!

Here's a photo of it today, all credit to Paul Holmes

 

[43096]

Just seen this morning's working with 66749 behind, stopped in P4 at Victoria and seemed to cope with the uphill start

I wouldn't expect anything else - the 99s have 500kN starting tractive effort, which is similar to a Class 60.

 

[childwallblues]

There's what looks to be another test with 006 tomorrow, this time scheduled to go via Calder Valley. I note that the timings change ataEccles, which makes sense given, for Calder, the wires end at the top of Miles Platting. However, that means they're presumably thinking of running the 99 on diesel up Miles Platting! That'll be some test!

RTT link: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R47209/2026-06-03/detailed
[URL directs to realtime trains page for potential class 99 test run]

As far as I am aware bu I may be wrong only the slow lines on Miles Platting bank are electrified.

 

[Geeves]

As far as I am aware bu I may be wrong only the slow lines on Miles Platting bank are electrified.

You're right, this train went up the slow lines and was brought to a stand a the top of the bank before it ran into the Brewery Junction loop on diesel mode. What mode it was in at Victoria I don't know but it left Liverpool's on sweet sweet electricity so I'm assuming it swapped while it was waiting for the road at the top of the bank, which is even more impressive that it got the train moving again!

 

[ac6000cw]

Based on counting the wagons in this video posted by Lee Harrop on Facebook today of 6Z59 passing Elland - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1683682266112831 - the trailing load is 17 wagons plus 66749, so assuming all the wagons are fully loaded to 102t (gross) each that's around 1860t trailing (including the 66).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

Adding the weight of 99006, that's a total train weight of around 1980t. Just accounting for gravity on the 1 in 50 up Miles Platting bank, that works out to 388kN of tractive effort to lift the train up the slope (a 99 is rated for 500kN max, 430kN continuous, so a good result from a standing start at Victoria).

 

[Spartacus]

Based on counting the wagons in this video posted by Lee Harrop on Facebook today of 6Z59 passing Elland - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1683682266112831 - the trailing load is 17 wagons plus 66749, so assuming all the wagons are fully loaded to 102t (gross) each that's around 1860t trailing (including the 66).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

Adding the weight of 99006, that's a total train weight of around 1980t. Just accounting for gravity on the 1 in 50 up Miles Platting bank, that works out to 388kN of tractive effort to lift the train up the slope (a 99 is rated for 500kN max, 430kN continuous, so a good result from a standing start at Victoria).

They're loaded to 75 tonnes, total 1730 tonnes according to TRUST.

 

[99009]

Standby for a series of posts from me in this thread this evening and tonight as I summarise each 99's recent or last moves and try to help answer or add to the discussion in recent days.

Firstly, someone asked about deliveries and when the next might be. From my records, this is what I have listed:

Loco Number - Boat Name - Boat IMO - Port Of Arrival - Date Of Arrival
99001+99002 – Constance – 9505338 – Avonmouth – 10/06/25

99003+99004 – Nereus Highway – 9974101 – Portbury – 27/11/25

99005+99006 – Canadian Highway – 9574066 – Portbury – 19/02/26

99007 – Tethys Highway – 1046051 – Portbury – 25/04/26 NOT CONFIRMED!

99008+99009 – Amphitrite Highway – 1024405 – Portbury – 14/05/26

NOTE: Every boat has a unique 7-digit code called an IMO number which stands for International Maritime Organisation number.

So if this list is anything to go by, perhaps towards the end of this month we could see 99010 arrive either by itself to balance things out again or with 99011+99012 as well?

Secondly, the start of the summary courtesy of the notes directly from my records. These are the last known workings for 99001-99003 and if anyone believes they've worked anything since, please let me know as I'm not aware of it! The first number (e.g. 160 for 99001) is the confirmed working number. This simply means I have recorded 160 confirmed workings for 99001.

The words probable or probably are used in the same context that the RAIB use them. It means that I haven't seen any photo or video evidence of this working but that it is extremely unlikely to be wrong.

99001 (91 70 0099 001-5)
160. 0Z45 14:13 Peterborough – Leicester 15:27 24/05/26 via Oakham. Booked via Peterborough station but didn’t go via there. Probably 99001 solo. Departed Peterborough yard at 14:06 7 early and arrived at Leicester depot at 15:16 11 early.

99002 (91 70 0099 002-3)
130. 0Z38 11:52 Leicester – Peterborough 13:04 24/05/26 via Oakham. The consist was 99008+99009+99002+99007. First ever occasion of 4 Class 99’s in the same consist. First working under its own power for 99008. Departed Leicester depot at 11:21 31 early and arrived at Peterborough yard at 12:39 25 early.

99003 (91 70 0099 003-1)
52. 4Z93 20:25 Doncaster Decoy – Peterborough 22:21 21/05/26 via the ECML. The probable consist was 99003+10 IIA hoppers+99001 at the rear. Departed Doncaster Decoy yard at 20:27 2 late and arrived at Peterborough yard at around 22:12 9 early.

My next post will have the 99004-99006 summary, the post after that will have the 99007-99009 summary and then finally the overall summary + routes a 99 has travelled on summary. All should be posted here by midnight.

 

[ac6000cw]

They're loaded to 75 tonnes, total 1730 tonnes according to TRUST.

Thanks for the confirmation - so basically the same as I worked out (17 x 101.7t = 1729t, then I added 130t for the dead 66749 to get approx. 1860 tonnes total trailing load).

I wonder if there's more test runs planned with increasing loads, to explore the real-world performance envelope?

 

[99009]

Continuing on, here's the latest summary for 99004-99006.

99004 (91 70 0099 004-9)
31. 0L75 08:18 Leicester – March 09:49 01/06/26 via Oakham and Whittlesea. The consist was 99005+99004. Departed Leicester depot at 08:10 8 early and arrived at March yard at 09:45 4 early.

32. 6E75 11:38 March – Peterborough 14:23 01/06/26 via Manea, Ely West Jn, Ely North Jn, Ely West Jn, Manea and Whittlesea. The consist was 99005+10 IIA hoppers+99004 on the rear. Departed March yard at around 12:00 22 late and arrived at Peterborough yard at 14:39 16 late.

33. 4Z38 08:04 Peterborough – Doncaster Decoy 09:56 03/06/26 via Spalding and Lincoln Central. The consist was 99005+10 IIA hoppers+99004 on the rear. Departed Peterborough yard at 08:03 1 early and arrived at Doncaster Decoy yard at 09:51 5 early.

34. 4Z39 10:54 Doncaster Decoy – Peterborough 13:02 03/06/26 via the ECML. The consist was 99004+10 IIA hoppers+99005 on the rear. Departed Doncaster Decoy yard at 10:49 5 early and arrived at Peterborough yard at around 13:02 on time.

35. 4Z40 13:30 Peterborough – Doncaster Decoy 15:33 03/06/26 via Spalding and Lincoln Central. The consist was 99005+10 IIA hoppers+99004 on the rear. Departed Peterborough yard at 13:45 15 late and arrived at Doncaster Decoy yard at 15:27 6 early.

36. 4Z41 15:49 Doncaster Decoy – Peterborough 17:43 03/06/26 via the ECML. The consist was 99004+10 IIA hoppers+99005 on the rear. Departed Doncaster Decoy yard at 15:48 1 early and arrived at Peterborough yard at around 17:20 23 early.

99005 (91 70 0099 005-6)
Exactly the same as 99004 above because 99004+99005 have been together since the start of this month, except different confirmed working numbers of 34-39 respectively.

99006 (91 70 0099 006-4)
Details of the 2 trial runs departing Tuebrook towards Manchester are as follows...

41. 6Z24 19:29 Tuebrook – Bradley Jn 21:38 01/06/26 via Bootle Branch Jn, Olive Mount Jn, Huyton, Earlestown, Eccles, Ordsall Lane Jn, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Miles Platting Jn, Philips Park West Jn, Baguley Fold Jn, Ashton Under Lyne, Stalybridge, Marsden, Huddersfield and Deighton. Originally the 99 was supposed to go as far as Healey Mills yard and return to Tuebrook sidings solo from there, but 6Z24 got officially terminated at Bradley Jn instead due to a bridge strike near Mirfield. The whole train then returned to Tuebrook sidings unscheduled via Bradley Wood Jn, Brighouse, Greetland Jn, Milner Royd Jn, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Rochdale, Castleton, Brewery Jn, Miles Platting Jn and then the same route as outward to avoid any run rounds. The unscheduled move almost certainly arrived back at Tuebrook sidings just after 02:00 on 02/06/26 and the clue for this comes from various passing times now showing in the 6Z24 schedule on RTT, including a passing time of 02:01 at Bootle Branch Jn. New track for a Class 99 everywhere after Earlestown until getting back to Miles Platting Jn returning to Tuebrook. The consist was 99006+66749+unknown amount of IIA Drax biomass hoppers. Departed Tuebrook sidings at 19:29 on time and arrived at Bradley Jn at around 23:52 134 late.

42. 6Z59 09:28 Tuebrook – Drax PS 14:15 03/06/26 via Bootle Branch Jn, Olive Mount Jn, Huyton, Earlestown, Eccles, Ordsall Lane Jn, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Miles Platting Jn, Brewery Jn, Castleton, Rochdale, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Milner Royd Jn, Greetland Jn, Brighouse, Bradley Wood Jn, Heaton Lodge Jn, Mirfield, Healey Mills, Horbury Jn, Wakefield Kirkgate, Calder Bridge Jn, Crofton West Jn, Crofton East Jn, Featherstone, Pontefract Monkhill, Knottingley West Jn, Knottingley East Jn, Hensall and Drax Branch Jn. The consist was 99006+66749+17 IIA Drax biomass hoppers. New track for a Class 99 everywhere after Bradley Wood Jn. Departed Tuebrook sidings at 09:28 on time and arrived at Drax PS at 14:04 11 early.

43. 0D59 17:30 Drax PS – Doncaster Decoy 19:14 03/06/26 via Drax Branch Jn, Hensall, Knottingley East Jn, Knottingley South Jn, Haywood Jn, Shaftholme Jn and the ECML. Probably 99006 solo. New track for a Class 99 Knottingley East Jn – Knottingley South Jn, Knottingley South Jn – Haywood Jn and Haywood Jn – Shaftholme Jn. Departed Drax PS at 17:20 10 early and arrived at Doncaster Decoy yard at 19:18 4 late.

NOTES FOR 99006: The amount of Drax biomass hoppers on 6Z24 01/06/26 is unknown. The amount of Drax biomass hoppers on 6Z59 03/06/26 is confirmed as 17. 99006 debuted on numerous routes for the class during its time in the Tuebrook area but this did NOT include Edge Lane Jn - Olive Mount Jn or Bradley Jn - Heaton Lodge Jn.

 

[Rail Quest]

NOTES FOR 99006: The amount of Drax biomass hoppers on 6Z24 01/06/26 is unknown.

6Z24 featured 24 wagons in tow (I saw it and counted when rewatching the footage I recorded just to be sure), rather than the 17 seen today. Not sure if all were loaded but Im assuming as much.

 

[Geeves]

Thanks for the confirmation - so basically the same as I worked out (17 x 101.7t = 1729t, then I added 130t for the dead 66749 to get approx. 1860 tonnes total trailing load).

I wonder if there's more test runs planned with increasing loads, to explore the real-world performance envelope?

There was a post further back that 24 Wagons and a dead 66 was just about too much and it was down to very slow speeds, 17 today so you would imagine the sweet spot will be somewhere in between. To be fair a 66 cannot make up the bank with a loaded train either so the fact that the 99 did it with a dead loco as well on Monday is pretty good!

 

[Harlequinuk]

When will they test without a dead loco?

 

[99009]

6Z24 featured 24 wagons in tow (I saw it and counted when rewatching the footage I recorded just to be sure), rather than the 17 seen today. Not sure if all were loaded but Im assuming as much.

Thank you very much, I've now edited my records to show 24 wagons on 6Z24.

Continuing the summary, here's the latest moves for 99007-99009. I'm still uncertain about whether or not 66733 was actually with 99008 on 0Z95.

99007 (91 70 0099 007-2)
20. 0O65 09:24 Peterborough – Tonbridge 14:06 02/06/26 via the ECML, Hertford North, ECML again to Copenhagen Jn, Camden Road Central Jn, Gospel Oak, Willesden Junction, Mitre Bridge Jn, North Pole Jn, Kensington Olympia, Latchmere Jn, Longhedge Jn, Wandsworth Road, Denmark Hill, Nunhead, Bromley South, Bickley, Petts Wood, Orpington and Sevenoaks. The consist was 99007+73201+73109+73966. New track for a Class 99 Willesden Junction – Mitre Bridge Jn and Bromley South – Sevenoaks via Bickley, Petts Wood and Orpington. Departed Peterborough yard at 09:38 14 late and arrived at Tonbridge yard at 13:30 36 early.

21. 0Z90 14:53 Tonbridge – Peterborough 19:55 02/06/26 via the same route as above. 99007 solo. Departed Tonbridge yard at 14:56 3 late and arrived at Peterborough yard at 19:23 32 early.

99008 (91 70 0099 008-0)
9. 0Z95 09:12 Peterborough – March 09:41 30/05/26 via Whittlesea. The consist was either 99008 solo or 99008+66733. It’s unknown if the 66 was included but the 99 definitely was. If the 66 was included it was likely detached at March station which caused the delay between the station and the yard. Departed Peterborough yard at 09:15 3 late and arrived at March yard at around 09:57 16 late.

10. 0Z96 10:30 March – Leicester 12:44 30/05/26 via Whittlesea and Oakham. The consist was 99008+99009. Departed March yard at 10:30 on time and arrived at Leicester depot at 12:02 42 early.

99009 (91 70 0099 009-8)
13. 0Z38 07:52 Peterborough – Doncaster Decoy 10:03 29/05/26 via Spalding. 99009 solo. Departed Peterborough yard at around 07:35 17 early and arrived at Doncaster Decoy yard at around 09:43 20 early.

14. 4Z39 10:54 Doncaster Decoy – March 14:55 29/05/26 via the ECML and Whittlesea. The consist was 99009+10 IIA hoppers. Departed Doncaster Decoy yard at 10:52 2 early and arrived at March yard at 14:37 18 early. After this 99009 should have worked solo back to Peterborough yard but didn’t because it failed in March yard.

15. 0Z96 10:30 March – Leicester 12:44 30/05/26 via Whittlesea and Oakham. The consist was 99008+99009. Departed March yard at 10:30 on time and arrived at Leicester depot at 12:02 42 early.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

The routes a 99 has travelled on summary is now pushed back to tomorrow or the weekend.

The current locations and status of 99's as of 23:00 Wednesday 3rd June 2026 is as follows:

99001 - 160 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 24/05/26 arriving on 0Z45.
99002 - 130 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 24/05/26 arriving on 0Z38.
99003 - 52 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 21/05/26 arriving on 4Z93.
99004 - 36 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 03/06/26 arriving on 4Z41.
99005 - 39 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 03/06/26 arriving on 4Z41.
99006 - 43 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Doncaster Decoy yard since 03/06/26 arriving on 0D59.
99007 - 21 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Peterborough yard since 02/06/26 arriving on 0Z90.
99008 - 10 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 30/05/26 arriving on 0Z96.
99009 - 15 confirmed mainline workings - Currently at Leicester depot since 30/05/26 arriving on 0Z96.

 

[ac6000cw]

There was a post further back that 24 Wagons and a dead 66 was just about too much and it was down to very slow speeds, 17 today so you would imagine the sweet spot will be somewhere in between. To be fair a 66 cannot make up the bank with a loaded train either so the fact that the 99 did it with a dead loco as well on Monday is pretty good!

If you calculate the force needed to overcome just gravity on a 1 in 50 climb with 24 loaded wagons plus dead 66 plus the 99, it's basically equal to the maximum quoted tractive effort for a 99. So I'm not at all surprised it struggled with that load on Monday.

My guess is the sweet spot might be 20-ish loaded wagons (without the dead 66).

 

[Peter Sarf]

When will they test without a dead loco?

Being a test means GBRF and NR will want a dead loco in the consist ready to rescue if the new loco breaks down or is defeated by the load test.
Probably only when the tests are finished will a dead loco not be required.

 

[Adrian Barr]

0Z95 09:12 Peterborough – March 09:41 30/05/26 via Whittlesea. The consist was either 99008 solo or 99008+66733. It’s unknown if the 66 was included but the 99 definitely was. If the 66 was included it was likely detached at March station which caused the delay between the station and the yard.

For confirmation, delay info in TRUST says 0Z95 was diverted into Whitemoor to detach a loco; in TOPS 66733 is recorded moving from Pboro to Whitemoor on this move.

 

[99009]

For confirmation, delay info in TRUST says 0Z95 was diverted into Whitemoor to detach a loco; in TOPS 66733 is recorded moving from Pboro to Whitemoor on this move.

Absolutely perfect. I hadn't considered 99008 could have gone into Whitemoor yard first. Thank you very very much @Adrian Barr - records now amended.

 

[superkev]

If you calculate the force needed to overcome just gravity on a 1 in 50 climb with 24 loaded wagons plus dead 66 plus the 99, it's basically equal to the maximum quoted tractive effort for a 99. So I'm not at all surprised it struggled with that load on Monday.

My guess is the sweet spot might be 20-ish loaded wagons (without the dead 66).

Was the accent of Miles Platting bank in electric mode or don't the wires go far enough?
Thanks
K

 

[Tobytrain10]

I think there is a low but plausible chance that a class 99 is added to the london underground movement from old dalby to gascoine woods on tuesday but only going as far as doncaster or peterborough, i think this because the same headcode that 99006 used yesturday from doncaster to peterborough (0Z22) is booked to go from peterborough to old dalby on monday. Also the london underground is supposed to go via peterborough when its final destination is actually the opposite direction, though, this is all speculation, i think it is unlikely unless its being used as a test

 

[Pkh72]

That should just be 2 x 57’s on that working.

 

[Tobytrain10]

That should just be 2 x 57’s on that working.

I would imagine yes, but the 57s go from Leicester to Hexthorpe, then to Goole, then to Old Dalby on monday evening, on monday morning whatever 0Z22 is will go to old dalby, whether it has anything to do with the london underground movement, i have no clue, but im still going to hope for it either way

 

[childwallblues]

Was the accent of Miles Platting bank in electric mode or don't the wires go far enough?
Thanks
K

The slow lines up Miles Platting Bank are electrified as far as Stalybridge. The fast lines are not yet electrified.

 

[47286Dan]

Monday update

99001 GBNX LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
99002 GBNX PBOROSDGB PBOROSDGB F N
99003 GBNX PBOROSDGB PBOROSDGB 2 N
99004 GBNX PBOROWWSS PBOROWWSS D N
99005 GBNX PBOROWWSS PBOROWWSS D N
99006 GBNX PBOROSDGB PBOROSDGB F N
99007 MBEL PBOROSDGB 450Z221E08 F OLD DALBY N
99008 MBEL LESTER SD 590Z121608 F PBOROWWSS N
99009 MBEL LESTER SD LESTER SD F N

Dan

 

[Festiniog24]

Realtime trains showing 4D30 worked by 99008,99005 & 99004 this morning.

Realtime Trains | 4D30 0827 P'boro Westwood Sdgs Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 08/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 4D30 0827 departure from P'boro Westwood Sdgs Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 08/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Tobytrain10]

Realtime Trains | 0Z22 0903 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Old Dalby | 08/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z22 0903 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Old Dalby on 08/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Z22 to Old Dalby showing 99006 and 99007

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jun 2026 ==

Realtime trains showing 4D30 worked by 99008,99005 & 99004 this morning.

Realtime Trains | 4D30 0827 P'boro Westwood Sdgs Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 08/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 4D30 0827 departure from P'boro Westwood Sdgs Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 08/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is this the first time 3 99s have been on a train with wagons?

 

[Festiniog24]

Realtime Trains | 0Z22 0903 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Old Dalby | 08/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z22 0903 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Old Dalby on 08/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Z22 to Old Dalby showing 99006 and 99007

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jun 2026 ==


Is this the first time 3 99s have been on a train with wagons?

Coming North it was 99008 & 99005 leading with 99004 at the rear of the train, presumably the return will be 99008 & 99004 leading with 99005 bringing up the rear.