Hybrid freight locomotives could cut journey emissions by more than half at GB Railfreight

A new fleet of hybrid locomotives that switch between electric power and biofuel will cut freight emissions by more than half on a typical journey, its operator has said.

Powered by electric lines or hydrotreated vegetable oil, the Class 99 locomotives were unveiled by GB Railfreight at its headquarters in Peterborough yesterday (17 July).

Manufactured by Stadler in Valencia, Spain, the fleet of 30 locomotives is aimed at cutting emissions from the freight network. It will start to enter commercial service later this year.

“Major private sector investments, like this £150m commitment to revolutionary Class 99 trains, demonstrate the confidence the rail freight industry has in its future under this government,” said rail minister Lord Hendy.

“With robust protections for fair network access and ambitious growth targets a part of our plans for Great British Railways, we're ensuring the rail freight sector has what it needs to thrive so it can continue removing thousands of HGVs from our roads whilst delivering huge economic benefits across the country.”

Each freight train removes up to 129 HGVs from Britain’s roads, according to GB Railfreight. An average of more than 600 freight trains run on the British rail network every day, while Network Rail aims to grow the sector by 8% by 2029, part of a drive towards a net-zero railway by 2050.

The new Class 99s, which GB Railfreight also said offer faster acceleration and reduced downtime, will move goods including consumer items, construction materials and aviation fuel around the country.

A modernised and efficient network will be “crucial to boosting growth”, said Ben Fletcher, chief operating officer of manufacturer’s organisation Make UK. “Manufacturers are keen to make greater use of rail logistics, and new freight technologies such as the Class 99 will make a critical contribution to cleaner, faster and more efficient supply chain movement.”