Freightliner, in cooperation with Rail Operations Group and Malcolm Group, operated a trial freight service using a Class 93 locomotive from Daventry to Grangemouth and Mossend.
The train measured approximately 775 metres and carried 1,000 tonnes of goods, with a total train weight of around 1,700 tonnes. The Class 93, developed by Stadler and operated in the UK by Rail Operations Group, is equipped to operate on electric overhead lines, diesel engines, and battery power.
The test run was integrated into the Working Timetable and aimed to evaluate operational performance along the Anglo-Scottish corridor. The Malcolm Group previously shifted its intermodal services between the West Midlands and Scotland to electric traction. However, diesel locomotives have still been required for terminal operations. The deployment of a tri-mode locomotive such as the Class 93 could alter that setup by reducing the dependency on diesel for shunting.
The results of the trial are expected to inform future decisions on traction strategy for long-haul intermodal services in the UK.
