GB Railfreight has announced that its new fleet of Class 99 bimodal locomotives has received Authorisation for Placing Into Service (APIS) from the UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This ORR approval confirms that the Class 99 meets all essential requirements for safety, accessibility, environmental standards, and technical compatibility.
The APIS milestone is the next milestone for the Class 99s as they prepare to enter service. Having arrived in the UK in May, they were formally launched in July and since then have been put through their paces across the routes and regions.
Developed in partnership with Stadler and Beacon Rail, the £150 million investment marks a significant step forward in modernising Britain’s rail freight infrastructure.
Designed to operate on both electrified and non-electrified routes, the Class 99 locomotives offer greater flexibility, reduced emissions, and enhanced performance. They will play a vital role in decarbonising supply chains, supporting regional growth, and delivering a cleaner, faster, and more resilient freight network.
The Class 99’s first revenue generating service is expected to run in early 2026.
Liam Day, Asset Director of GB Railfreight, said:
“Receiving ORR authorisation is another huge step forward for the Class 99, and we’ve been deeply encouraged by the numbers the 99001 and 99002 have been posting in testing over the past few weeks. The Class 99 will set a new benchmark for sustainability, performance and safety. And we cannot wait to get them out on the network for our customers early next year.”
