DB Cargo UK Class 93 test: intermodal trial shapes fleet plans

DB Cargo UK Class 93 test results are being used to support the company’s assessment of options for future fleet investments, after operational trials on an intermodal service in north-west England, according to DB Cargo UK.

Intermodal service trial with Rail Operations Group and Network Rail

Working with the Rail Operations Group and Network Rail, DB Cargo UK put locomotive 93006 into service to haul a train operated for Peel Ports between Seaforth (Merseyside) and Mossend (Glasgow) and back on March 10. Separately, the run formed part of the operator’s wider fleet modernization strategy and its ongoing review of future investment planning.

Class 93 tri-mode locomotive and traction modes

The Class 93 tri-mode locomotive is the latest development in the locomotive family developed by Stadler for the British market, as Railway Supply notes. In addition, it is designed for freight and passenger trains and builds on experience from the Class 68 and Class 88 series, with improved performance in diesel and battery mode.

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Manufactured in Valencia, Spain, the locomotive has four traction modes, as outlined by Stadler. Meanwhile, in electric mode, it can operate under 25 kV AC voltage with power of up to 4 MW, additionally benefiting from a 0.6 MW contribution from batteries.

At the same time, on non-electrified lines, the locomotive is equipped with a 900 kW Stage V diesel engine and two lithium titanate oxide (LTO) battery packs. In hybrid diesel-battery mode, the batteries provide an additional 400 kW to supplement the combustion engine. For example, they can also operate independently, allowing for local emission-free operation without loss of traction effort.

Performance feedback and planned demonstrations

Mark Sargant, Chief Operating Officer of DB Cargo UK, said: “The testing of the Class 93 locomotive was carried out as part of an ongoing review of our future fleet investment strategy, and we were impressed with its performance.” He also noted that representatives of the ASLEF mechanics’ union participated in the tests to evaluate the locomotive’s performance in operation on the British network.

Brian Ferguson, Managing Director of the Rail Operations Group, highlighted performance recorded during the tests, including the ability to pull trains weighing up to 1,500 tons and to start from a standstill on gradients: “Handling loads of up to 1,500 tons, the locomotive delivered solid performance throughout the tests, including starts from a standstill on difficult ramps.”

Still, further tests and demonstrations are planned in the coming months as the collaboration with DB Cargo UK is strengthened.

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