Class 93 Tri-mode Loco

[47286Dan]

Tuesday morning update

93006 GROG INVERNCMD 010Q161H10 F YORK P SD N

Dan

 

[JohnMcL7]

I managed to catch the 93 leaving this morning where it was looking very smart and I did like the little Scottish flag pointed out above. Unfortunately a DRS 66 was idling where I was so couldn't really hear the 93 at all.

 

[47286Dan]

Wednesday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY 260Q451E11 F PETERBORO N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93006 GROG YORK P SD 160Q251L11 F WORKSP DY N
93007 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93008 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93009 GROG WORKSP DY 260Q451E11 F PETERBORO N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[bahnause]

I’ve only just found this driver’s account of the trial of 93006 on 4Q38 Seaforth- Mossend on 11 February, the commentary is a technical but interesting read from the driver’s point of view:

Class 93 Testing with DB Cargo UK. 4.

My final shot was taken at Carlisle during a crew change on 4Q38 14.18 Seaforth Docks to Mossend Euro Terminal. The full test crew from ROG, Network Rail and DB Cargo line up for a group photo with me included (second in from the right) on this momentous day as it was also the first electric...

www.flickr.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2026 ==

The locomotive appears to be performing exactly as anticipated.

 

[Belfastmarty]

I’ve only just found this driver’s account of the trial of 93006 on 4Q38 Seaforth- Mossend on 11 February, the commentary is a technical but interesting read from the driver’s point of view:

Interesting commentary on that. Performance on diesel / hybrid mode has been a big question mark around the 93s, so it's good to seem some empirical evidence of their abilities in this mode on a heavy train on a gradient with poor adhesion.

 

[JohnMcL7]

How does the driver manage the battery? It mentions on the wiki page (which I appreciate may not be accurate) that the battery can be recharged from the overhead power, the engine and through braking, is that handled automatically by the locomotive or does the driver have to choose when and how to charge the battery? Similarly how do they choose when to use the battery, the article mentions it can be used on its own and in addition to the diesel engine?

I was also wondering about some markings above the left bogie (when looking side on with the number 2 cab to the left), it has a distance 21.22m with some markers labelled HYBRID COUPLER and then similar text with 20.50m and UIC COUPLER. I know the locomotive can have different couplers but not sure what these markings down the side of it mean.

 

[Class73Electro]

How does the driver manage the battery? It mentions on the wiki page (which I appreciate may not be accurate) that the battery can be recharged from the overhead power, the engine and through braking, is that handled automatically by the locomotive or does the driver have to choose when and how to charge the battery? Similarly how do they choose when to use the battery, the article mentions it can be used on its own and in addition to the diesel engine?

I was also wondering about some markings above the left bogie (when looking side on with the number 2 cab to the left), it has a distance 21.22m with some markers labelled HYBRID COUPLER and then similar text with 20.50m and UIC COUPLER. I know the locomotive can have different couplers but not sure what these markings down the side of it mean.

Trying to recall, but pretty sure its automatic battery charging.


I think the hybrid coupler is longer, so the two numbers are the overall length from coupler to coupler

 

[47286Dan]

Thursday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY 260Q451E12 F PETERBORO N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93008 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93009 GROG WORKSP DY 260Q451E12 F PETERBORO N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N

Dan

 

[BRX]

Will the 93 have been the first thing to traverse the highland main line with regenerative braking?

Or are the 800s able to do it too (not sure they have batteries for that purpose)?

Perhaps the 93's batteries don't have the capacity to capture all the energy released on long descents like those on the HML.

 

[37069]

Modern Railways reporting that the Class 93s will be based at Gresty Bridge - https://www.modernrailways.com/article/new-base-rogs-class-93-fleet

 

[The_Train]

Modern Railways reporting that the Class 93s will be based at Gresty Bridge - https://www.modernrailways.com/article/new-base-rogs-class-93-fleet

Makes sense with the Stadler links there already. Can't wait for the first person to put 2 and 2 together and get DRS as the answer

 

[bahnause]

Interesting commentary on that. Performance on diesel / hybrid mode has been a big question mark around the 93s, so it's good to seem some empirical evidence of their abilities in this mode on a heavy train on a gradient with poor adhesion.

SBB Cargo International has now set the load for the four-axle Siemens Vectron Xload (the Tim “More Power” Taylor model of the Vectron) at 2000t on a gradient of 12 per mille (comparable to the 1/75 of Shap Summit).

The Vectron is already somewhat heavy by design, which helps with traction. The Xload version has 350 kN instead of 300 kN starting tractive effort, an improved sanding system, optimized traction control, and new hardware components aimed at optimizing traction force transfer between wheel and rail (high pressure air cleaning the rails).

So 2000t is not unrealistic for a four-axle locomotive. I do not know what values other TOCs use.

 

[Roger B]

I'm trying to figure out the first workings (after acceptence testing, etc) for 93003, 93007 and 93009.

Can anyone help me with this ino, please?

Many thanks

 

[wickham]

I'm trying to figure out the first workings (after acceptence testing, etc) for 93003, 93007 and 93009.

Can anyone help me with this ino, please?

Many thanks

I have 93007 as doing it's first revenue earning work on 23.12.25: [Regretfully I did not record what the actual job was, but further up this string you might find the answer]
As far as I can tell, 93003 & 93009 have "flitted about", testing, driver training etc but have NOT done any revenue earning work yet !

 

[Adrian Barr]

I have 93007 as doing it's first revenue earning work on 23.12.25: [Regretfully I did not record what the actual job was, but further up this string you might find the answer]

Just found this while searching for the above - photo of 93007 working a 7Q25 Gascoigne Wood - Attercliffe (JNA wagons for scrap) on 17/12/25:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/72334387@N03/54989954704 (Photo: Dan-Piercy)

Repeat run on 23/12/25:

Swinton 23 December 2025 93007 ROG | Tomasz Pado EN-PL

 

[wickham]

Just found this while searching for the above - photo of 93007 working a 7Q25 Gascoigne Wood - Attercliffe (JNA wagons for scrap) on 17/12/25:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/72334387@N03/54989954704 (Photo: Dan-Piercy)

Repeat run on 23/12/25:

Swinton 23 December 2025 93007 ROG | Tomasz Pado EN-PL

It is interesting that 93003 and 93009 do seem to have done a few things together, for instance they both attended the Greatest Gathering at Derby last August, but this was hardly "revenue earning" !! Also, they are both out and about together in recent days on some sort of 0Qxx moves based on Peterborough, again not revenue earning. However, 93003 did go to Biscester on 06.01.26 (see post 2189) the reason never being assertained - but this could possibly have been for shunting there - which if so, would be revernue earning !

 

[Roger B]

It is interesting that 93003 and 93009 do seem to have done a few things together, for instance they both attended the Greatest Gathering at Derby last August, but this was hardly "revenue earning" !! Also, they are both out and about together in recent days on some sort of 0Qxx moves based on Peterborough, again not revenue earning. However, 93003 did go to Biscester on 06.01.26 (see post 2189) the reason never being assertained - but this could possibly have been for shunting there - which if so, would be revernue earning !

Many thanks @wickham and @Adrian Barr - very helpful.

I was aware of 7Q25 on 17/12 - interesting to note the 'Q' code unusual for a revenue earning service.

Whilst no revenue earning trips are known for 93003 and 93009, it looks as though they've been accepted for service (?) - does anyone know when?

Cheers

 

[wickham]

Many thanks @wickham and @Adrian Barr - very helpful.

I was aware of 7Q25 on 17/12 - interesting to note the 'Q' code unusual for a revenue earning service.

Whilst no revenue earning trips are known for 93003 and 93009, it looks as though they've been accepted for service (?) - does anyone know when?

Cheers

Indeed ! In fact are the acceptance dates known for any (or all) of them ?

 

[northstaffsman]

93006 and 93009 worked Derby RTC to Carlisle on 16/03. From RTT it looks like they went into the station holding sidings. Does anyone know what their next move is? I can't see any movement for today on RTT.

 

[Solweytracker]

93006 and 93009 worked Derby RTC to Carlisle on 16/03. From RTT it looks like they went into the station holding sidings. Does anyone know what their next move is? I can't see any movement for today on RTT.

5Q02 1128 Carlisle to Inverness C.S.D. is en route today and on RTT. According to 2 other sites the locos are 93009 and 93008.

 

[northstaffsman]

5Q02 1128 Carlisle to Inverness C.S.D. is en route today and on RTT. According to 2 other sites the locos are 93009 and 93008.

Thanks for the info. It is 93009 and 93008 as you say.

 

[Freightmaster]

5Q02 1128 Carlisle to Inverness C.S.D. is en route today

Barriers to pick up some HST vehicles from Inverness an take them to Hamilton tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5Q07 1125 Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q07 1125 departure from Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

Barriers to pick up some HST vehicles from Inverness an take them to Hamilton tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5Q07 1125 Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q07 1125 departure from Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

So this IS INDEED Revenue earning - the first for 93009 !!
Just 93006 to go now, unless anyone knows anying different. It is difficult to tell what is "revenue earning" and what isn't when thety use thse "Q codes".

 

[AndrewE]

So this IS INDEED Revenue earning - the first for 93009 !!
Just 93006 to go now, unless anyone knows anying different. It is difficult to tell what is "revenue earning" and what isn't when thety use thse "Q codes".

It would be nice if it was photographed or video'd, I look forward to finding one or a link being posted...

 

[Spaceship323]

Barriers to pick up some HST vehicles from Inverness an take them to Hamilton tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5Q07 1125 Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q07 1125 departure from Inverness C.S.D. to Hamilton Steele E.G. on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Why do they need barriers? I thought they could couple to M.U.'s - that was the whole reason for ordering them - no?

 

[Adrian Barr]

Just 93006 to go now, unless anyone knows anying different. It is difficult to tell what is "revenue earning" and what isn't when they use these "Q codes".

Do you mean 93003? Apart from its mysterious visit to Bicester, and attending the "Great Gathering" at Derby, the record of its movements in TOPS (going back to early June last year) just shows the usual light engine moves from Worksop to Peterborough / Doncaster / Newark (which were presumably for mileage accumulation and/or driver training).

The same applies for 93009; apart from 5Q09 yesterday and today's 5Q02, the only unusual movement recorded since the end of July last year (can't see any further back) was when it visited Castle Donington EMDC in September, but post #1878 explained that was just to keep it out of Worksop during track alteration work, along with 93008.

*

It appears that the 93s have now had their registration status changed from B (delivery / on test) to C (normal service) which would reflect the completion of route clearance announced in
post #2253.

As I understand it, the Q headcodes are required while in status B (on test) because the locos are running under the authority of "Network Rail Summary of Rolling Stock / Infrastructure Compatibility" (NRSC) paperwork issued by the Network Rail Assurance Panel (NRAP) which allows them onto the network for pre-arranged movements and testing prior to being officially route cleared for general use.

Once in normal service (status C) this paperwork and the Q headcodes are not required and the route clearance would be published in the sectional appendix.

However, some movements may still require NRSC paperwork and Q headcodes if they venture off the specific routes cleared in the sectional appendix for a type of loco or unit. I suspect the Q headcodes are still being used temporarily with the 93s until paperwork is updated to add the recently completed route clearance to the sectional appendix and so on.

Another example of Q headcodes is with the Railadventure power cars. If they are operating on routes where they are cleared in the sectional appendix, they usually run with Z headcodes. Sometimes they visit more exotic locations that aren't officially cleared for power cars in the sectional appendix, using NRSC paperwork which clears them for additional specified routes but may have special restrictions which the signaller / driver need to be aware of, such as being prohibited through a particular platform or subject to additional speed restrictions in certain places. When using this paperwork they run under a "Q" headcode, which draws attention to the need to check the route restrictions that may be in place (the Q headcode means "not to be diverted off booked route").

I would expect the 93s to have wide route clearance similar to other RA7 locos, but they might sometimes run with Q headcodes if they haul multiple units away from the normal routes the units are cleared for.

It would be nice if it was photographed or video'd, I look forward to finding one or a link being posted...

Yesterday's 5Q09 Derby RTC - Carlisle seen here with 93009 / 93008:

93009 & 93008 at Preston 16/03/26 | Channel: Aaron Roberts

Picture of today's 5Q02 Carlisle - Inverness passing Forteviot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/152950454@N08/55153378968/ (Photo: Alan Mitchell)

 

[43096]

Why do they need barriers? I thought they could couple to M.U.'s - that was the whole reason for ordering them - no?

The 93s have only standard screw couplers (though one seems to be being tested with the unit coupler reinstated?). That’s irrelevant anyway as they don’t have Buckeye/Alliance couplers to move HST stock.

 

[47286Dan]

Wednesday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F18 F DONCASTER N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93008 GROG INVERNCMD INVERNCMD V N
93009 GROG INVERNCMD INVERNCMD V N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N



Dan

 

[Spaceship323]

Thanks for clarifying @43096

 

[Roger B]

0300w

Wednesday morning update

93001 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93002 GROG GRESTYBGE GRESTYBGE F N
93003 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93004 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93005 GROG DERBY RTC 570Q231F18 F DONCASTER N
93006 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N
93007 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
93008 GROG INVERNCMD INVERNCMD V N
93009 GROG INVERNCMD INVERNCMD V N
93010 GROG WORKSP DY WORKSP DY F N



Da

93002 was hiding very effectively when I went past Gresty Bridge this afternoon - not a trace