Economic factors to affect Freightliner’s ‘86’ plans
CONTINUED use of veteran
Class 86 electric locomotives by Freightliner will depend on the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and decisions on further electrification schemes.
At July’s naming of 90014 Over the Rainbow at Crewe Basford Hall, the operator confirmed it planned to increase the number of electric-hauled trains it operates ( RAIL 911).
Freightliner spokeswoman
Lynn Crump told RAIL: “Our plan to upgrade the ‘86s’ for a future service life will depend on a number of factors - including the rollout of electrification on the rail network, the economic recovery from COVID-19, and, therefore, the commercial benefit of the Class 86s’ anticipated future life.”
The newly named ‘90’ is the first of 13 former Greater Anglia locomotives bought by FL from Porterbrook to be returned to operational condition.
It’s planned that as ex-GA Class 90s enter traffic, so the veteran Class 86/6s will be placed into warm storage. Currently five have been removed from traffic (86605/610/612/627/628).
All were stored this year, starting with 86610 in January, then 86627 in May, 86605/612 in June, and 86628 in July. FL has 11 Class 86/6s still in traffic (86604/ 607-610/613/614/622/632/ 637-639), while it also owns 86251 (stored at Basford Hall, but purely for spares).
It means that once the entire ‘86’ fleet is placed into warm storage FL will have 23 Class 90s in its operational fleet (90003016/041-049).
Crump added: “Freightliner is keen to continue working
with governments to meet net zero carbon targets through the alignment of decisions on investment and incentives, so that the right framework is in place to maximise the use of electric traction into the future.”
Currently Freightliner operates a number of intermodal services hauled by diesels ‘under the wires’, while most terminals are not electrified.
This follows DB Cargo UK’s plans to operate more electrichauled trains ( RAIL 908) and DCRail’s plans involving bi-mode traction.
Orion is also set to launch its logistics service using a mixture of electric multiple units and bi-mode Class 769s ( RAIL 911).
Back on July 8, Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson told the House of Commons Transport Select Committee that operators were ready to invest in new infrastructure and rolling stock, but that they needed Government commitment that it would continue allowing freight access.
Network Rail was also due to publish a decarbonisation strategy by the end of July that would feed into the Integrated Rail Plan that is due for publication in December.
NR told RAIL on July 31 that its document would be published “this summer”.