GB Railfreight operated a Class 99 locomotive on a live intermodal service between DP World’s London Gateway and Maritime Transport’s Hams Hall Rail Freight Terminal.
The locomotive hauled the intermodal service on a freight corridor linking the Thames-side port terminal with the Midlands inland terminal. GBRf carried out the trial with Maritime Transport and DP World.
The Class 99 fleet is designed for both electric and diesel operation. GBRf said the trial tested the locomotive in normal operating conditions before entry into service.
The trial took place in the same week that locomotive 99010, the newest Class 99 delivered to the UK, arrived at Avonmouth. The additional locomotive joins the fleet before commercial deployment begins.
GBRf CEO John Smith said the trial was among the final steps before the Class 99 fleet enters service. Maritime Transport said the operation into Hams Hall showed the role of inland rail terminals in connecting UK ports with domestic markets.
