British Rail Class 88

British Rail Class 88

Type and origin Builder Vossloh Espana Model Vossloh Euro Dual Build date 2015-2016 Total produced 10

Specifications UIC class Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 1,067 mm (42.0 in) Axle load 21.5 t (21.2 long tons; 23.7 short tons) Loco weight 86 t (85 long tons; 95 short tons) Electric system(s) 25 kV 50 Hz Current collection Pantograph Prime mover Caterpillar C27 Transmission electrical AC/AC type, ABB Train brakes wheel disc, electropneumatic dynamic (regenerative*)

Performance figures Maximum speed 100 mph (160 km/h) Power output 4 MW electrical 0.7 MW diesel Tractive effort 317 kN (71,000 lbf)

The Class 88 is a planned type of mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Vossloh for Direct Rail Services in the United Kingdom. The design is part of the Vossloh Euro Dual family.

Background

In January 2012, Direct Rail Services announced that it had ordered a total of 15 new diesel locomotives from Vossloh. These locomotives, which entered service in the UK as Class 68, were part of Vossloh's Eurolight family, redesigned to fit the smaller UK loading gauge.^[1]

In September 2013, DRS announced that it was procuring a further ten locomotives. Unlike the Class 68s, these new units would be electro-diesel locomotives, capable of operating either via OHLE, or by using an onboard diesel engine. However, the new locomotives would feature the same bodyshell, cab, brakes, bogies, traction equipment and control software as the Class 68.^[2] The new locomotives were announced as being Class 88.^[3]

Specification

The Class 88 is part of Vossloh's Euro Dual family. This is a range of dual mode locomotives that are fitted both with a pantograph, to collect electricity from overhead wires, and a Caterpillar diesel engine. The UK version will be able to run either on electrified lines using the pantograph, which will be the UK's standard OHLE current at 25kV AC, or away from electrified lines with the Caterpillar C27 950 hp (710 kW) engine. Dual mode locomotives have been mooted for freight use in the UK, using the "Last Mile" principle, where a primarily electric locomotive is fitted with a small diesel engine to allow trains to be delivered to unelectrified freight sidings.^[4] However, the Class 88 is intended as a fully dual mode locomotive, with the diesel engine powerful enough to haul a train on its own.^[5] The Class 88s will be the first dual mode locomotives in the UK to use the 25kV AC electrification, as the only other electro-diesel locomotives to have entered service on the British network were the Class 73 and Class 74, which operated in the Southern Region using third rail electrification.^[6]

Operation

Direct Rail Services has procured the Class 88 to serve as a mixed-traffic locomotive, capable of operating both passenger and freight services.^[5] Primarily they will be used to enable DRS to haul freight using electric locomotives without the need to hire in electric traction from other operators.^[6] However, as with the Class 68, they will also be capable of operating passenger trains.

Fleet details

Class	Operator	No. Built	Year Built	Loco nos.
Class 88	Direct Rail Services	10 (planned)	2015-2016	88001 - 88010

References

1. "Direct Rail Services orders 15 Vossloh EuroLight UK locomotives". Railway Gazette International. 5 January 2012.
2. "Beacon Rail and DRS order dual-mode locos", www.modern-railways.com, 12 Sep 2013
3. "DRS orders ten dual-mode Class 88s" Rail issue 731 18 September 2013 page 7
4. "Bombardier launches Traxx electro-diesel". Railway Gazette International. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
5. Johnson, Marc (1 April 2014), "Sleek Lines", www.therailengineer.com, retrieved 12 February 2016
6. Briginshaw, David (25 September 2014). "Electro-diesel locomotive debuts at InnoTrans". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 12 February 2016.