DB Cargo electrics
DB Cargo UK investigates ways to put stored electric locomotives back into traffic to meet decarbonisation targets.
DB Cargo UK is encouraging the use of electric traction wherever possible, as it looks to meet decarbonisation targets set by Government.
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, there were plans for long-stored locomotives to be returned to service following overhauls, for use on automotive traffic. However, this was put on hold once the pandemic struck and lockdown forced a temporary suspension to much of the manufacturing.
Speaking exclusively to RAIL on June 8, DBC Head of Sales Roger Neary explained that the company has around 30 electric locomotives stored and that some could be returned to traffic should the need arise.
He said that DBC’s plan is that where possible, all trains running the full length of the East and
West Coast Main Lines will be electric-hauled. Also, any contract on the Great Western Main Line that could be similarly powered would be.
“We have potentially a number of locomotives to reinstate, and we are looking at what could be returned,” he said.
DBC’s electric fleet contains Class 90s and ‘92s’. The ‘90s’ are used on UK freight flows as well as hire contracts, while the latter are used on cross-Channel freight traffic.
Neary added: “The Channel Tunnel is a big opportunity for us, especially with our European connections. But economies are currently the issue.”
Of DBC’s 24-strong Class 90
fleet, 19 are stored. Of those, 90021/029/039 are destined for Grand Central.
Prior to the pandemic, DBC was looking to return 90024 and 90030 to the main line for freight traffic. Both are stored at Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot (the former since January 2019 and the latter since January 2006).
The remaining stored Class 90s are 90017/018/022/023/025/027/ 028/031-033/036-038/040. Out of traffic the longest is 90025 (stored in January 2004), followed by 90032 (stored one month later).
Currently available for traffic are 90019/020/026/034/035, although 90026 is being used by Grand Central for training and testing while 90035 is being used to test the overhead line equipment on the Midland Main Line.
As for Class 92s, DBC owns 17 in the UK, of which 11 are stored at Crewe IEMD. The longest out of traffic is 92035 Mendelssohn
(stored in April 2004), followed by 92008 Jules Verne (stored in December 2006). The other stored DB Class 92s are 92004/007/009/ 013/016/017/029/031/037.
In traffic are 92011/015/019/ 036/041/042.
DB also owns 92001-003/005/ 012/022/024-027/030/034/039, which have been exported to eastern Europe.