GB Railfreight’s new Class 99 get green light for UK operations
The UK’s Office of Rail and Road gave its Authorisation for Placing Into Service (APIS) to GB Railfreight’s (GBRf) Class 99 locomotives. In total, the company ordered 30 units, which will be able to run on both electrified and non-electrified routes.
GBRf relied on Stadler and Beacon Rail for the development of the new locomotives. The first ones should start running revenue-generating services in early 2026, GBRf said. The company invested around 170 million euros (150 million pounds) in the 30 locomotives.
The first two, used for testing, arrived from Germany to Bristol in May via sea shipping and were then sent from the port to Leicester, where Stadler has a maintenance facility. “Receiving ORR authorisation is another huge step forward for the Class 99, and we’ve been deeply encouraged by the numbers the 99001 and 99002 have been posting in testing over the past few weeks”, said Liam Day, Asset Director of GBRf.
