The current GBRf sleeper haulage contract announcement in 2023 (for 7 years) did mention the possible use of 99s in the future - https://www.gbrailfreight.com/gb-ra...al-to-support-new-era-for-caledonian-sleeper/
If they used 99's on the trunk Highland trains, the 99 could work throughout from Euston to Inverness and would give a saving of 2 locomotives on what is currently used.
Thanks @ac6000cw for posting. This, as far as I know, is still the current mid to long term plan and has been ever since this announcement 2 years ago. Test the existing order of 99's (99001-99030) now on normal GBRF freight services or test runs and over the next couple of years, see what they're capable of by gathering real-world data. Then, should the contract with CS be extended from the current end date of June 2030 and should the tests be successful, order a passenger version of 99's to replace the 73's and 92's.
It occurs to me that surely this is different enough that they would instead be a new sub-class and come out as 99 101 to 99 110 if it happens...?
Are they fast enough to match the timings under wires?
Traditionally they'd be 99 401 to 99 410 (as per 47/4, 31/4, 37/4 etc.) as an ETS equipped sub-class (yeah, I know the 45/1 were an exception to that...).
IIRC, the idea is that the 'mixed traffic' version with ETS would also have a higher top speed. The 92s are only 87 mph max anyway.
The Class 57s are also an exception. But yes it has been stated that GBRf are looking at ’bringing back’ the /4 subclass for ETS fitted Class 99s.
It’s chance that the ETH fitted sub-classes were /4. They just took the next available sub-class range.
How did you end up with a saving of 2 locomotives if using 99s throughout?
There are normally 2 locos on the front of the Inverness portion.
I know some portions are usually double-headed. Assuming this only applies to inverness, that gives a saving of one loco, as the same pair of locos does both the northbound and the southbound every night.
1 x 99 Euston to Inverness
That was my take on it too - and doubtless something to be factored into a decision to buy (or not) some mixed-traffic versions.
They could swap out the entire fleet of 92s and 73s to 99s. Single loco type, maximising use of electrified lines, maximum operational flexibility.
A sound theory, but it doesn't quite work, as it ignores the use of pilot locomotives, and the fact that locos are shared between the lowlander and highlander. There is also the fact the train reverses at Edinburgh, but that is likely resolvable.
Damn, only two days after I uploaded my own mini-documentary of the class, Green Signals make it instantly redundant
I don't entirely understand why he says you're not going to see these in Portsmouth or Hastings because that's third rail country. Surely the reason you're unlikely to see them in those places is that there's not freight traffic. Third rail routes are no different to any other routes without overhead lines...unless you've got a third rail locomotive you're willing to use, which they don't.
Quite telling that it's fitted with a DRA. Gives a hint to intent perhaps.
A really excellent video by the Green Signals team.
What's the Edinburgh pilot? The loco that does the Edinburgh portion of the lowlands works the relevant ECS. The loco of the northbound Highland stables at Edinburgh Waverley all day.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Just in case anyone was wondering, 0Q94 Leicester L.I.P. - Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf on Monday was 66313+99001+99002. 69009 wasn't on this working as RTT suggests, but 99002 was.
0Q94:
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.
Because 0Q94 above wasn't correct on RTT*, can anyone therefore please confirm with 100% certainty what was on this 0Q93 working below last night?
0Q93 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf - P'boro Eastfield Jn 01/07/25:
Realtime Trains | 0Q93 2230 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to P'boro Eastfield Jn. | 01/07/2025
Real-time train running information for 0Q93 2230 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to P'boro Eastfield Jn. on 01/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
*Not a jab at RTT, which is excellent, I know these things can happen, just wanted to post the gen in case some people weren't aware.