Freightliner stores sixth Class 86/6

Freightliner has stored 86614, with the rest of its Class 86/6 fleet likely to follow by the end of the year.

It was announced in July that FL would retain its ‘86/6’ electric locomotives to help with the decarbonisation of rail freight, but that they would be removed from service pending overhauls.

So far, six have been stood down from traffic (86605/610/612/614/ 627/628), leaving ten in use (86604/607-609/613/622/632/ 637-639). Their duties are being taken over by Class 90s acquired from Porterbrook earlier this year.

Freightliner is bidding for freight contracts that could yet require the ‘86s’ to be retained, although sources suggest they will likely be retained as spares.