Germany: The Swiss manufacturer has demonstrated a new model at Berlin’s exhibition for the first time. The six-axle low-alloy steel bodied Class 99 locomotive is designed on the basis of the Eurodual family.
It can accelerate up to 120 km/h and operate in two traction modes: using a 25 kV AC catenary with the power at the wheel rim of 6.2 MW or a 16-cylinder 1.8 MW Stage V diesel engine by Cummins. The starting tractive effort is 500 kN and the continuous tractive effort is 430 kN. The locomotive is said to be fit with a drive with IGBT inverters.
In 2022, the UK’s freight operator GB Railfreight ordered 30 such locomotives from Stadler, with an option for another 20 units. The first vehicle is to be sent to the VUZ test centre in Velim, Czechia, in December, with its launch expected in 2025.
