GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[99009]

4Q48 back on time joining the MML at Silkstream Jn despite leaving Newport 1 hour late. Very good to see!

Also, if you missed 4Q45, 0Q45, 0Q48 or 4Q48, you get another chance to see them! 4Q45 departs Wellingborough tomorrow night and 0Q48/4Q48 depart on Friday evening.

4Q45:

Realtime Trains | 4Q45 2001 Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf | 02/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q45 2001 departure from Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf on 02/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q45:

Realtime Trains | 0Q45 0220 Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Cardiff Canton Sdgs Gbrf | 03/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q45 0220 departure from Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Cardiff Canton Sdgs Gbrf on 03/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q48:

Realtime Trains | 0Q48 1730 Cardiff Canton Sdgs Gbrf to Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf | 03/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q48 1730 departure from Cardiff Canton Sdgs Gbrf to Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf on 03/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q48:

Realtime Trains | 4Q48 1839 Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf | 03/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q48 1839 departure from Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf on 03/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then back home to Leicester in the early hours of Saturday.

0Q50:

Realtime Trains | 0Q50 0105 Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. | 04/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q50 0105 departure from Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. on 04/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[StripeyNick]

The Flakes at Newport where the pantographs were raised

 

[Wyrleybart]

As a matter of interest were the wagons on 4Q45 empty or loaded ?
TIA

 

[littledude]

As a matter of interest were the wagons on 4Q45 empty or loaded ?
TIA

Empty, hence the class 4

 

[Wyrleybart]

Empty, hence the class 4

Doh !! Of course. Thanks

 

[800001]

Empty, hence the class 4

Don't loaded freight liners run as class 4?

Just because it is class 4 does not mean it is empty. It just means it can run at speeds of up to 75mph.

 

[BorderCollie]

Context is everything in this case. If you've seen a photo or video of these moves you'll know the locos are hauling a rake of JNA hoppers. If it's class 4 they are therefore empty.

 

[BRX]

4Q48:

Realtime Trains | 4Q48 1839 Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf | 03/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q48 1839 departure from Pengam Reception Sdgs Gbrf to Wellingborough Up Tc Gbrf on 03/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Based on what happened on previous runs, do we expect this to run to Acton on electric, then change to diesel, then back to electric at Silkstream Junction?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Oct 2025 ==

I went to see them at Acton Main Line. Was interested to see what they sounded like on diesel power - the answer seems to be not all that exciting, although I guess that here 99001 is not applying full power. It did make a wide variety of different noises whilst sitting still though.

It arrived into (and left) AML in diesel mode. As you can see in the video the pantograph did briefly go up and down again, maybe they were testing something.

They are certainly impressive looking locos in the flesh. The 66 & 59 that came past (with a very long train that I thought was going to block me from filming the 99's departure) look & sound quite old fashioned in comparison.

 

[zwk500]

It arrived into (and left) AML in diesel mode. As you can see in the video the pantograph did briefly go up and down again, maybe they were testing something.

Fairly sure the wires at that point aren't live yet, so if they'd tried to arrive in electric mode it'd have been somewhat tricky!

This thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ct-electrification.272210/page-8#post-7488543 has a date of 3rd November for the wires going live

 

[Unobrow]

Fairly sure the wires at that point aren't live yet, so if they'd tried to arrive in electric mode it'd have been somewhat tricky!

This thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ct-electrification.272210/page-8#post-7488543 has a date of 3rd November for the wires going live

Scheduled to go live Acton Wells Jn-Acton OHNS on Nov 3rd.

 

[99009]

I realise this question is a long shot, but does anyone know the consist order of 0Q48 Cardiff Canton - Cardiff Pengam on Friday 3rd October 2025 please? It involved both 99's and 69010, but was anyone at Cardiff Central to see the order?

 

[800001]

I've been told a 99 is moving on Friday from Doncaster to Mossend, would anyone know anything about this? Times etc?

 

[92002]

I've been told a 99 is moving on Friday from Doncaster to Mossend, would anyone know anything about this? Times etc?

Would guess it's the 99 visiting the Polmadie Open Day on Saturday/Sunday. With the exhibits moving as a train from/to Mossrnd. Times no doubt will get published onto RTT.
Special train from Derby too with Rail Adventure 43s to the event.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Oct 2025 ==

Would guess it's the 99 visiting the Polmadie Open Day on Saturday/Sunday. With the exhibits moving as a train from/to Mossrnd. Times no doubt will get published onto RTT.
Special train from Derby too with Rail Adventure 43s to the event.

There's a LE from Roberts Road at 1000 on Friday to Darlington North Gate. With a departure at 1302 to Corkerhill, not far from Polmadie. So the theory is it then picks up display units from Shildon NRM. It can probably pick up some new routes for the class on the way too. Like ECM North of Doncaster to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to Glasgow. Could return a different way for more too

So guess is that the plot thickens this is the 99. It probably picks up at Corkerhill then heads for Mossrnd for the open Day train units to Polmadie.

 

[800001]

Would guess it's the 99 visiting the Polmadie Open Day on Saturday/Sunday. With the exhibits moving as a train from/to Mossrnd. Times no doubt will get published onto RTT.
Special train from Derby too with Rail Adventure 43s to the event.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Oct 2025 ==


There's a LE from Roberts Road at 1000 on Friday to Darlington North Gate. With a departure at 1302 to Corkerhill, not far from Polmadie. So the theory is it then picks up display units from Shildon NRM. It can probably pick up some new routes for the class on the way too. Like ECM North of Doncaster to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to Glasgow. Could return a different way for more too

So guess is that the plot thickens this is the 99. It probably picks up at Corkerhill then heads for Mossrnd for the open Day train units to Polmadie.

Darlington North Road to Corkerhill is the Innovation train. Nothing to do with Shildon.

 

[92002]

Darlington North Road to Corkerhill is the Innovation train. Nothing to do with Shildon.

The train current has two 66s attached and is due to be displayed in Glasgow over the weekend of Polmadie Open Day.

 

[Class73Electro]

Any idea what 99 is going to Barrow Hill?

 

[99009]

The next GBRF 99 workings are as follows:

Tomorrow (Thursday) one of them will be going from Leicester to Doncaster via Peterborough, Spalding and Lincoln Central. Whichever 99 works all this tomorrow is the one that will be visiting Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0931 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0931 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

6Q86 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 6Q86 1156 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 6Q86 1156 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q85:

Realtime Trains | 0Q85 1508 Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q85 1508 departure from Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will then spend over 24 hours at Doncaster Roberts Road before working these on Friday night/early hours of Saturday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Doncaster Iport, the entire ECML north of Doncaster and Scotland.

0Q90:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 2135 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 2135 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04:

Realtime Trains | 4Q04 2314 Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q04 2314 departure from Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04 normally runs as 4S04 Doncaster Iport - Mossend, a container service. So, at Millerhill, the 99 will be left behind and a 66 will work as normal from Millerhill - Mossend. To be clear, the Millerhill - Mossend leg of this service won't include the 99, only Doncaster Iport - Millerhill will involve the 99. The onward working from Millerhill for the 99 is this working in daylight on Saturday morning, 0Q99 directly to Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight on Saturday morning in Scotland):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0815 Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. | 11/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0815 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. on 11/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

While the same 99 works all of the above, the other 99 will work this to Barrow Hill on Friday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Alfreton, Chesterfield and Barrow Hill.

0Q95:

Realtime Trains | 0Q95 0617 Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q95 0617 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

No paths showing yet for their return moves back home. I hope this is all helpful/useful.

 

[800001]

The next GBRF 99 workings are as follows:

Tomorrow (Thursday) one of them will be going from Leicester to Doncaster via Peterborough, Spalding and Lincoln Central. Whichever 99 works all this tomorrow is the one that will be visiting Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0931 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0931 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

6Q86 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 6Q86 1156 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 6Q86 1156 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q85:

Realtime Trains | 0Q85 1508 Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q85 1508 departure from Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will then spend over 24 hours at Doncaster Roberts Road before working these on Friday night/early hours of Saturday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Doncaster Iport, the entire ECML north of Doncaster and Scotland.

0Q90:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 2135 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 2135 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04:

Realtime Trains | 4Q04 2314 Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q04 2314 departure from Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04 normally runs as 4S04 Doncaster Iport - Mossend, a container service. So, at Millerhill, the 99 will be left behind and a 66 will work as normal from Millerhill - Mossend. To be clear, the Millerhill - Mossend leg of this service won't include the 99, only Doncaster Iport - Millerhill will involve the 99. The onward working from Millerhill for the 99 is this working in daylight on Saturday morning, 0Q99 directly to Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight on Saturday morning in Scotland):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0815 Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. | 11/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0815 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. on 11/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

While the same 99 works all of the above, the other 99 will work this to Barrow Hill on Friday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Alfreton, Chesterfield and Barrow Hill.

0Q95:

Realtime Trains | 0Q95 0617 Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q95 0617 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

No paths showing yet for their return moves back home. I hope this is all helpful/useful.

Thank for all this information, very much appreciated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Oct 2025 ==

The next GBRF 99 workings are as follows:

Tomorrow (Thursday) one of them will be going from Leicester to Doncaster via Peterborough, Spalding and Lincoln Central. Whichever 99 works all this tomorrow is the one that will be visiting Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0931 Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0931 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Peterborough North Yd Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

6Q86 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 6Q86 1156 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 6Q86 1156 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q85:

Realtime Trains | 0Q85 1508 Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q85 1508 departure from Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf to Doncaster Robert Rds Shed on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will then spend over 24 hours at Doncaster Roberts Road before working these on Friday night/early hours of Saturday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Doncaster Iport, the entire ECML north of Doncaster and Scotland.

0Q90:

Realtime Trains | 0Q90 2135 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q90 2135 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Doncaster Iport Gbrf on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04:

Realtime Trains | 4Q04 2314 Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q04 2314 departure from Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04 normally runs as 4S04 Doncaster Iport - Mossend, a container service. So, at Millerhill, the 99 will be left behind and a 66 will work as normal from Millerhill - Mossend. To be clear, the Millerhill - Mossend leg of this service won't include the 99, only Doncaster Iport - Millerhill will involve the 99. The onward working from Millerhill for the 99 is this working in daylight on Saturday morning, 0Q99 directly to Polmadie.

0Q99 (in daylight on Saturday morning in Scotland):

Realtime Trains | 0Q99 0815 Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. | 11/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q99 0815 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Polmadie Car M.D. on 11/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

While the same 99 works all of the above, the other 99 will work this to Barrow Hill on Friday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Alfreton, Chesterfield and Barrow Hill.

0Q95:

Realtime Trains | 0Q95 0617 Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q95 0617 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Barrow Hill L.I.P. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

No paths showing yet for their return moves back home. I hope this is all helpful/useful.

99001 for this working, 99002 for Barrow Hill.

 

[99009]

99002 arrived at Barrow Hill off of the connection to/from the mainline at 07:29 22 minutes early. (And unrelated to this topic but for anyone curious 66501+70020 arrived for the event about 15 minutes after on 0E02 from Earles Sidings).

 

[Class73Electro]

99002 arrived at Barrow Hill off of the connection to/from the mainline at 07:29 22 minutes early. (And unrelated to this topic but for anyone curious 66501+70020 arrived for the event about 15 minutes after on 0E02 from Earles Sidings).

Didn't know a 70 was going - Thanks!

 

[norbitonflyer]

Tomorrow (Thursday) one of them will be going from Leicester to Doncaster via Peterborough, Spalding and Lincoln Central. Whichever 99 works all this tomorrow is the one that will be visiting Polmadie.

6Q86 (in daylight throughout):

Realtime Trains | 6Q86 1156 Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf | 09/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 6Q86 1156 departure from Peterborough North Yd Gbrf to Doncaster Down Decoy Gbrf on 09/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will then spend over 24 hours at Doncaster Roberts Road before working these on Friday night/early hours of Saturday morning. Note this is the first ever occasion of a 99 going to Doncaster Iport, the entire ECML north of Doncaster and Scotland.

4Q04:

Realtime Trains | 4Q04 2314 Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. | 10/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q04 2314 departure from Doncaster Iport Gbrf to Millerhill S.S. on 10/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04 normally runs as 4S04 Doncaster Iport - Mossend, a container service. So, at Millerhill, the 99 will be left behind and a 66 will work as normal from Millerhill - Mossend. Doncaster Iport - Millerhill will involve the 99. T

Wait - is this a 99 on a revenue-earning container service? Will it be under power or dragged by the 66?

 

[Adrian Barr]

is this a 99 on a revenue-earning container service?

I imagine it will be. Speaking of revenue-earning services, 6Q86 yesterday was the Middleton Towers sand train. 69008 hauled it from Middleton Towers to Peterborough as 6E86, then 99001 was attached to the front to haul it to Doncaster Down Decoy as 6Q86 (with 69008 DIT, and 66726 on the back hitching a lift to Doncaster en route to Roberts Road). Trailing weight on 6Q86 (including the 2 dead diesels) was about 1600 tons.
A colourful scene at Down Decoy yesterday: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanpadley/54843533844/ (Photo: Alan Padley)

99001 departed light to Roberts Road about 10 mins after arrival (as per 0Q85 in post #1007) although it didn't record any timings in TRUST / RTT. 69008 then continued with the sand wagons as 6E86 to Monk Bretton.

I think 6Q86 on 23rd September would have been the first Class 99 revenue-earning service (also with 99001 on the Middleton Towers sand) as seen here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishrail1980sand1990s/54807963785/ (Photo: British Rail 1980s and 1990s)

 

[Suraggu]

I imagine it will be. Speaking of revenue-earning services, 6Q86 yesterday was the Middleton Towers sand train. 69008 hauled it from Middleton Towers to Peterborough as 6E86, then 99001 was attached to the front to haul it to Doncaster Down Decoy as 6Q86 (with 69008 DIT, and 66726 on the back hitching a lift to Doncaster en route to Roberts Road). Trailing weight on 6Q86 (including the 2 dead diesels) was about 1600 tons.
A colourful scene at Down Decoy yesterday: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanpadley/54843533844/ (Photo: Alan Padley)

99001 departed light to Roberts Road about 10 mins after arrival (as per 0Q85 in post #1007) although it didn't record any timings in TRUST / RTT. 69008 then continued with the sand wagons as 6E86 to Monk Bretton.

I think 6Q86 on 23rd September would have been the first Class 99 revenue-earning service (also with 99001 on the Middleton Towers sand) as seen here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishrail1980sand1990s/54807963785/ (Photo: British Rail 1980s and 1990s)

The latest NRSC document for the class 99’s specifically states it can only be used for testing/light engine movements.

Utilizing a booked revenue earning move and converting it into a ‘test’ move with a customers product is sneaky. Surprised no one from the relevant boards haven’t picked up on that.

So technically speaking the class 99 hasn’t partaken in a revenue earning service, but we all know they have.

 

[Rail Quest]

Just seen a great clip on YouTube (not mine) of 001 at what sounds like full power. Sounds pretty good honestly.

 

[norbitonflyer]

The latest NRSC document for the class 99’s specifically states it can only be used for testing/light engine movements.

Utilizing a booked revenue earning move and converting it into a ‘test’ move with a customers product is sneaky. Surprised no one from the relevant boards haven’t picked up on that.

So technically speaking the class 99 hasn’t partaken in a revenue earning service, but we all know they have.

I suppose technically you can claim it is a test, sharing a path with the revenue-earning train whose booked motive power is still officially the 69. If the test runs into problems, the 69 can take over.

As far as I am aware no 99 has worked solo in revenue service yet.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Utilizing a booked revenue earning move and converting it into a ‘test’ move with a customers product is sneaky. Surprised no one from the relevant boards haven’t picked up on that.

So sneaky that someone involved in the testing posted advance notice on the internet a couple of days beforehand. The only difference between the 99 test and the 93 tests on loaded ballast trains is the former didn't needlessly require an additional path.

 

[Nottingham59]

The latest NRSC document for the class 99’s specifically states it can only be used for testing/light engine movements.

Utilizing a booked revenue earning move and converting it into a ‘test’ move with a customers product is sneaky. Surprised no one from the relevant boards haven’t picked up on that.

So technically speaking the class 99 hasn’t partaken in a revenue earning service, but we all know they have.

To test a commercial transport system thoroughly, I'd have thought that you would have to include testing with commercial loads?

 

[norbitonflyer]

To test a commercial transport system thoroughly, I'd have thought that you would have to include testing with commercial loads?

Doesn't have to be commercial - as the 93 tests show. Just load up a train with ballast (whether actual track ballast or in the sense of dead weight) and trundle it round the network.

However, if the train is designed for passenger use, sooner or later you have to test it with real passengers, who may not behave in the same way as rail staff who know they are testing it. This is not an issue with freight

 

[Adrian Barr]

4Q04 is on the run from Doncaster Iport to Millerhill as per post #1007. 99001 hauling 66797 DIT + 16 intermodal twins loaded with the usual container traffic for Mossend. Trailing weight including the dead loco closely matches the timing load of 1475 tons.

The latest NRSC document for the class 99’s specifically states it can only be used for testing/light engine movements.

Utilizing a booked revenue earning move and converting it into a ‘test’ move with a customers product is sneaky. Surprised no one from the relevant boards haven’t picked up on that.

So technically speaking the class 99 hasn’t partaken in a revenue earning service, but we all know they have.

The logical interpretation of this requirement is that the 99s can only be used on pre-planned test movements agreed by NR, indicated by the Q headcodes. For loaded test runs it makes sense to use existing traffic on hand to provide a realistic load. If you want to test how a class 99 performs on 4E04, insisting on the use of a "non-commercial" load and running a second dedicated test train with similar wagons and containers filled with test weights, while the real 4E04 runs as a separate train, would be absurd.

 

[99009]

4Q04 is on the run from Doncaster Iport to Millerhill as per post #1007. 99001 hauling 66797 DIT + 16 intermodal twins loaded with the usual container traffic for Mossend. Trailing weight including the dead loco closely matches the timing load of 1475 tons.



The logical interpretation of this requirement is that the 99s can only be used on pre-planned test movements agreed by NR, indicated by the Q headcodes. For loaded test runs it makes sense to use existing traffic on hand to provide a realistic load. If you want to test how a class 99 performs on 4E04, insisting on the use of a "non-commercial" load and running a second dedicated test train with similar wagons and containers filled with test weights, while the real 4E04 runs as a separate train, would be absurd.

I counted 31 containers on 4Q04 as it passed the York and Newcastle Railcams on Youtube. Didn't catch if 99001 was in AC mode passing York station at 00:02, but when it departed Newcastle I'm 95% sure it was on HVO or diesel mode and not electric. Also, following 4Q04's progress on a realtime map, I noticed it seemed to do well but was held on the main line at Granthouse for a while for some reason and as a result lost some time there.

Paths are now in the system for the 99's to return south to Leicester. Great news for anyone on the ECML between Wallyford and Doncaster, you're going to get a much better chance to see 99001.

99001's return to Leicester is:

0Q80 Polmadie - Millerhill Sunday 12th October 2025 via Motherwell, Carstairs, Midcalder Jn and Slateford:

Realtime Trains | 0Q80 1713 Polmadie Car M.D. to Millerhill S.S. | 12/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q80 1713 departure from Polmadie Car M.D. to Millerhill S.S. on 12/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

4Q04 Millerhill - Doncaster Iport Monday 13th October 2025 via the ECML. Booked via York station with a 1 hour stop at Skelton Bridge Jn, so caution early running is possible south of York:

Realtime Trains | 4Q04 1329 Millerhill S.S. to Doncaster Iport Gbrf | 13/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 4Q04 1329 departure from Millerhill S.S. to Doncaster Iport Gbrf on 13/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q74 Doncaster Roberts Road - Peterborough Monday 13th October 2025 via the ECML:

Realtime Trains | 0Q74 2200 Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf | 13/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q74 2200 departure from Doncaster Robert Rds Shed to Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf on 13/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q88 Peterborough - Leicester Tuesday 14th October 2025:

Realtime Trains | 0Q88 1527 Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. | 14/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q88 1527 departure from Peterboro Maint Shed Gbrf to Leicester L.I.P. on 14/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

99002's return to Leicester is:

0Q81 Barrow Hill - Leicester Monday 13th October 2025:

Realtime Trains | 0Q81 1721 Barrow Hill L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. | 13/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q81 1721 departure from Barrow Hill L.I.P. to Leicester L.I.P. on 13/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Finally, 99003 was rumoured a few weeks ago to be arriving into the UK this month, but I haven't seen anything to suggest this is still the case.