Revolution Trains is at Innotrans 2024, the biennial global rail industry exhibition taking place in Berlin, to confirm it is offering the new GBRf bi-mode Class 99 locomotives being built by Stadler and owned by Beacon Rail in OO gauge.
The Class 99 Co-Co is based on Stadler’s proven EuroDual design, narrowed and lowered to fit the restrictive British loading gauge. In operation the locomotive will have a maximum speed of 75mph and tractive effort of up to 6000kW.
GBRf has ordered 30 Class 99s which can be powered either by 25kV OHLE or via an onboard Stage V low emission diesel. The locomotive is a significant step towards greater de-carbonisation, and when used on trains currently hauled by Class 66s will remove more than half a million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.
Launching the locomotive at Innotrans in Berlin, GBRf CEO John Smith, describing the locomotive as beautiful, said: “We knew we needed to move on from diesel traction, and so we went with Beacon to Stadler and asked them to help us. And we needed a powerful diesel engine because for 10, 15, or 20 per cent of the journeys our trains make there are no wires.”
Clockwise from top left: The cab follows a similar design to other Stadler products; the Class 99 has standard drawgear; the locos have a red 1.79MW Cummins 16-cylinder QSK50 diesel engine; the full UIC number is 91 70 0099 002-3; the fuel tank has a capacity of 3000 litre.
Beacon CEO Adam Cunliffe said: “We can make a difference. This locomotive can do things no other locomotive can do.”
Ralf Warwel of Stadler added: “This locomotive provides new muscles for the freight market.”
After agreeing the licence with Stadler, GBRf and Beacon, Revolution was invited to launch the locomotive at Innotrans to co-incide with the unveiling of 99002 before the world’s media. After introductory remarks from Adam Cunliffe of Beacon and John Smith of GBRf, Mike Hale explained the model features while Ben Ando described the production steps.
CAD work is done, and we are anticipating the development of the model will proceed in line with the prototype. .
The model will feature switchable lights and, for DCC users, options including a pantograph that can be raised and lowered automatically and working roof fans.
Mike Hale of Revolution Trains said: “Revolution Trains would like to thank Stadler for providing their assistance with technical CAD, specifications and diagrams of the new locomotive.”
Although the Class 99 shares a superficial similarity to the Rail Operations Group Class 93 tri-mode locomotives already being offered by Revolution Trains, the cab design does have numerous subtle differences.
InnoTrans is the most important global event for the rail sector and the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology, with a focus on rail transport and infrastructure, as well as public transport. The event is organised by Messe Berlin and it takes place in the German capital every two years.
The event brings together policymakers, industry experts, representatives from both the public and private sectors, and from railway companies to discuss trends, showcase technological innovations in the rail and transport sectors, and talk about their future.