GBRf Class 99 - 30 locomotives now ordered

[themiller]

Those trailers are only for movements inside the port areas and on the ships. Either the locos will have to be transferred to transport trailers for a road haul to their destination or they’ll be transferred to the railway for haulage from the port to destination.

 

[Sheldonian]

You would think that rail transport would be easier, but you never know in this wacky world.

 

[43096]

You would think that rail transport would be easier, but you never know in this wacky world.

Given that there is no road access for locos into Leicester depot (they need putting on rails elsewhere (Knighton Jct?)), that the transporters they are currently on aren't good for anything other than internal moves, then logically you put them on rails at Portbury. But this is the railway... (although GBRf are admittedly rather more senible than the bulk of the industry!).

 

[Paul AC]

You would think that rail transport would be easier, but you never know in this wacky world.

Rail transport over which section of the route between the Stadler factory at Albuixech (north of València) and the UK are you thinking of? There is no standard gauge connection out of the factory onto the main line - and though the main line past the factory has dual gauge track, there's no direct standard gauge freight route towards the border with France yet; and France is notorious for making passage of other countries' trains across its network as difficult as possible. It's much easier, quicker and cheaper to 'road' the locos on transporter vehicles as has been done here.

If anything is wacky here, it's how long it is taking to get the standard gauge installed between the Barcelona area and the València area.

 

[kennythelad]

Saw on FB earlier that they’re due to move by rail on Sunday as 0Q80, 1438 off Portbury, with 47747 doing the honours. Not showing on RTT yet. Info came from one of the shunting staff at Portbury.
Don’t shoot the messenger

 

[43096]

Saw on FB earlier that they’re due to move by rail on Sunday as 0Q80, 1438 off Portbury, with 47747 doing the honours. Not showing on RTT yet. Info came from one of the shunting staff at Portbury.
Don’t shoot the messenger

Is that 47727 or 47749?

47747 was scrapped 12 years ago!

 

[92002]

Rail transport over which section of the route between the Stadler factory at Albuixech (north of València) and the UK are you thinking of? There is no standard gauge connection out of the factory onto the main line - and though the main line past the factory has dual gauge track, there's no direct standard gauge freight route towards the border with France yet; and France is notorious for making passage of other countries' trains across its network as difficult as possible. It's much easier, quicker and cheaper to 'road' the locos on transporter vehicles as has been done here.

If anything is wacky here, it's how long it is taking to get the standard gauge installed between the Barcelona area and the València area.

Once you solve the Spanish and standard gauge problem, you then have signalling problems. With Spain having their standad one and ETCS on High Speed lines. Different ones in France don't make it easy either. Think Eurostar that have a number of domestic and ETCS systems in 4 or probably more countries shortly. As well as different OHL voltages.

So if you were to move the 99s by rail from Spain they would need to be hauled and staff with route knowledge would be a given.

They could probably drive through the Channel Tunnel on electric, but it falls apart on the UK side with no 3rd rail they would need to switch to diesel. The original two managed a trip to Tonbridge a few weeks ago from Leicester. So maybe not impossible but does need a good amount of planning.

Probably the easiest way is as part of a freight train from Dollands Moor or even Calais.or further away.

However there are enough coming to the UK to make it worthwhile and maybe more to follow in further years.There could be 93s too perhaps from the same factory.

 

[philip simpkin]

Now on RTT see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23453/2025-11-30/detailed

 

[littledude]

Once you solve the Spanish and standard gauge problem, you then have signalling problems. With Spain having their standad one and ETCS on High Speed lines. Different ones in France don't make it easy either. Think Eurostar that have a number of domestic and ETCS systems in 4 or probably more countries shortly. As well as different OHL voltages.

So if you were to move the 99s by rail from Spain they would need to be hauled and staff with route knowledge would be a given.

They could probably drive through the Channel Tunnel on electric, but it falls apart on the UK side with no 3rd rail they would need to switch to diesel. The original two managed a trip to Tonbridge a few weeks ago from Leicester. So maybe not impossible but does need a good amount of planning.

Probably the easiest way is as part of a freight train from Dollands Moor or even Calais.or further away.

However there are enough coming to the UK to make it worthwhile and maybe more to follow in further years.There could be 93s too perhaps from the same factory.

I don’t think anyone was at all suggesting they should move under their own power through Spain and France…

 

[zwk500]

They could probably drive through the Channel Tunnel on electric, but it falls apart on the UK side with no 3rd rail they would need to switch to diesel. The original two managed a trip to Tonbridge a few weeks ago from Leicester. So maybe not impossible but does need a good amount of planning.

99s arent fitted with TVM so not moving through the channel tunnel on their own.

 

[92002]

99s arent fitted with TVM so not moving through the channel tunnel on their own.

They will shortly need it fitted to operate on ECML. When the new signalling arrives.

 

[43096]

They will shortly need it fitted to operate on ECML. When the new signalling arrives.

No, they won’t. They will need ETCS. Not TVM430.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

They will shortly need it fitted to operate on ECML. When the new signalling arrives.

That's ETCS, not TVM, they are different systems.

 

[92002]

That's ETCS, not TVM, they are different systems.

ETCS is the modern version of the older YVM430.

 

[43096]

ETCS is the modern version of the older YVM430.

It's a completely different system.

 

[littledude]

ETCS is the modern version of the older YVM430.

No it isn’t, it’s nothing like TVM. The only similarity is that it’s an in-cab signalling system

 

[JKF]

Now on RTT see https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23453/2025-11-30/detailed

There’s two moves booked into the docks at the moment, presumably for the collecting loco(s), one from Eastleigh:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23454/2025-11-30/detailed

And following on one from Leicester:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23728/2025-11-30/detailed

I don’t know if this means two locos coming, or if they just have two paths with one as a back-up if there’s a problem with the loco coming from Leicester.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

No it isn’t, it’s nothing like TVM. The only similarity is that it’s an in-cab signalling system

Which is a pretty big similarity…

 

[zwk500]

Which is a pretty big similarity…

The hardware and transmission modes are completely different.

TVM 430 uses coded track circuits with a specific receiver hardware.
ETCS uses a mix of balise transmission with a balise reader hardware and GSM-R radio.
Trains fitted with ETCS first have to be fitted with the TVM hardware and a computer module to emulate the system on the ETCS display.

Theres other differences. Its sufficiently different that in france some lines are running with both TVM and ETCS in parallel.

Oh, and the channel tunnel requires a completely bespoke set of TVM parameters.

 

[43096]

Which is a pretty big similarity…

It isn't.

It's like saying a Ford is the similar to a Vauxhall because they're both cars.

 

[JKF]

I did cross the Avonmouth bridge mid morning, could only afford a brief sideways glance as I was driving but couldn’t make out the locos (nor could my son from the back seat who could look a bit longer). There did appear to be a couple of red cranes in operation at the automotive terminal so possibly they were being unloaded from the trailers. I did expect that the trailers would have ramps so they could be winched off, so maybe what I saw was unrelated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Nov 2025 ==

47749 is the loco booked to run from Leicester for the pick-up.

 

[MickeyN]

There’s two moves booked into the docks at the moment, presumably for the collecting loco(s), one from Eastleigh:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23454/2025-11-30/detailed

And following on one from Leicester:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R23728/2025-11-30/detailed

I don’t know if this means two locos coming, or if they just have two paths with one as a back-up if there’s a problem with the loco coming from Leicester.

The light loco move from Eastleigh has been cancelled.Will the loco from Leicester take both?

 

[DBS92042]

The light loco move from Eastleigh has been cancelled.Will the loco from Leicester take both?

I believe that was always the plan, 47749 to take both 99s from Portbury

 

[1D54]

I believe that was always the plan, 47749 to take both 99s from Portbury

99003 and 004 are currently on the way to Leicester L. I. P. hauled by 47749. They passed Bristol Parkway about 10 minutes ago (0Q80)

 

[ABB125]

99003 and 004 are currently on the way to Leicester L. I. P. hauled by 47749. They passed Bristol Parkway about 10 minutes ago (0Q80)

Currently sat in P1 at Bristol Parkway, I assume to wait for the XC Manchester service to depart then follow it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Nov 2025 ==

Seen here north of Cheltenham in failing light:

 

[midland1]

Currently sat in P1 at Bristol Parkway, I assume to wait for the XC Manchester service to depart then follow it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Nov 2025 ==

Seen here north of Cheltenham in failing light:
View attachment 193099

Did see them at South Wigston in no light

 

[Snow1964]

Taken from their social media

GB Railfreight | London

GB Railfreight, London. 18,949 likes · 696 talking about this · 129 were here. GBRf is the largest rail freight operator in the UK. We keep the UK moving and the lights turned on. This is a place...

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003 and 004 have arrived in the UK

A bit more info and on locos 003, 004 arrival at Royal Portbury Dock on
a world shipping site, having come on a LNG fuelled ship Nereus Highway

On 27 November, locomotives 99003 and 99004 arrived at the Bristol Port Company’s Royal Portbury Dock aboard the LNG-powered Nereus Highway. Arrival aboard the versatile car carrier was another seamless operation for GBRf. It followed the June 2025 delivery of 99001 and 99002 aboard the freighter MV Constance.

As with the previous delivery, the locomotives were offloaded using specialised lifts and transferred by Terberg tractor to the port railhead (there are no tracks directly at the quay). It’s an intricate logistics procedure that the port is geared up for and familiar with. Portbury positions itself as a facility able to interface between maritime and rail operations in bringing heavy and high-value equipment to the UK.

The Class 99 locomotives are part of GBRf’s strategy to expand and decarbonise freight operations. With dual-mode capability — electric on 25 kV AC lines and diesel on non-electrified routes — they offer flexibility for the UK’s rail network, helping to reduce emissions and improve cargo transport efficiency.

Supporting rail freight growth​

“The new locomotives will enable businesses to transport freight more efficiently,” noted John Smith, CEO of GBRf. “With both renewable fuels and electric capability, our Class 99s are built for a changing network and to meet evolving customer needs.”

“Receiving 99003 and 99004 is a welcome pre-Christmas gift, mused Alex Kirk, Commercial Director. “These locomotives herald a rail freight revolution in 2026, reinforcing the synergy between shipping, ports, and rail operators.”

These deliveries underline the importance of port infrastructure in supporting the UK’s rail freight ambitions. The UK government aims for a targeted 75% increase in rail freight by 2050. The efficient integration of maritime and rail logistics will be crucial to moving goods sustainably and reliably. There’s more to the transition than just moving more boxes. There are 26 more of these locomotives for a start.

Bristol Port lands another big catch of GBRf Class 99s ‣ WorldCargo News

Two more Class 99 locomotives bound for GB Railfreight (GBRf) have arrived at Royal Portbury Dock, Bristol.

www.worldcargonews.com

 

[Welly]

Watched this good YT video of the 47 running light then collecting the 2 new Flakes.

 

[crosscity]

... and passing through Bournville, Birmingham.

30Nov2025. Bournville. Light engine 99003 99004 47749 (Ex D1660). Locomotive convoy. Night train. [P1230572] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[99009]

If anyone knows what worked 0Q99 Leicester - Leicester on Thursday 27th November 2025, or has access to a system that can find out, please can you reply here or DM me? It's the only blank of an ID in my records for the 99's so far. I don't think another loco was involved, so the answer has to be either a) 99001 solo, b) 99002 solo or c) 99001+99002 together.

Speaking of Leicester - Leicester moves, another one is happening tomorrow, this time via Loughborough then via Toton and with different headcodes.

0Q74 via Loughborough:

Realtime Trains | 0Q74 0920 Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester | 04/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q74 0920 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Leicester on 04/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Q76 via Toton:

Realtime Trains | 0Q76 1125 Leicester to Leicester L.I.P. | 04/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Q76 1125 departure from Leicester to Leicester L.I.P. on 04/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk