British Rail Class 88
| Industry | Rail transport |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Carlisle , United Kingdom |
| Products | British Rail Class 88 locomotives |
| Website | www |
The British Rail Class 88 represents a versatile mainline electro-diesel locomotive constructed by Vossloh España/Stadler Rail Valencia for use by Direct Rail Services (DRS) within the United Kingdom. As a member of the Stadler Euro Dual series, it holds the distinction of being the UK's inaugural dual-mode locomotive operating on 25 kV AC electrification.
During the fulfillment of DRS’s Class 68 order, Vossloh introduced a dual-mode variant capable of running either on an onboard diesel engine or via electricity drawn from overhead wires. Captivated by this innovation, DRS placed an order for ten Class 88 units in September 2013. Designed concurrently with the Class 68, these locomotives share roughly 70% of their components.
Testing commenced at the Velim railway test circuit in the Czech Republic in 2016 and proceeded without issues. The locomotive made its first public debut in July 2016, followed by the arrival of the initial UK unit, 88002 Prometheus, in January 2017. The entire batch of ten was delivered by March 2017. The Class 88 entered operational service with DRS in June 2017, mainly used for freight transport but also equipped to handle passenger duties.
Origins
In January 2012, Direct Rail Services (DRS) placed an order for 15 new diesel locomotives with Vossloh España (currently Stadler Rail Valencia). These units, introduced to UK operations as , belonged to the Eurolight family and were redesigned to accommodate the UK's more restrictive loading gauge. After evaluating existing models such as the British Rail Class 66, which proved unsuitable due to outdated engines and high running expenses, DRS opted for a fresh design. Over an 18-month development period, Vossloh crafted the Class 68 while exploring various configurations and power sources. DRS expressed interest in an electro-diesel variant, identifying potential for a dual-mode locomotive within the UK market.
By September 2013, DRS had ordered ten additional locomotives designated as Class 88. Their defining feature is dual-mode electro-diesel propulsion, enabling operation either from overhead line electrification (OHLE) or via an onboard diesel engine. This capability lowers operational costs on routes that are partially or fully electrified by allowing the diesel engine to be switched off under OHLE. The Class 88 is notable as the UK's first dual-mode locomotive utilizing 25 kV AC electrification; earlier electro-diesel models like the and were limited to Southern Region third rail systems.
Specification
Belonging to the Stadler Euro Dual family, the Class 88 is equipped with a pantograph compatible with 25 kV AC overhead electrification alongside a Caterpillar C27 diesel engine rated at . This dual system allows it to operate seamlessly on electrified tracks or independently on non-electrified sections, facilitating "Last Mile" freight deliveries to locations without overhead wiring.
Designed primarily as an electric locomotive, most internal volume is allocated for electrical components, while the diesel engine occupies a dedicated compartment. The Class 88 provides power output that falls between auxiliary diesel-electric locomotives and fully dual-mode units such as the Class 93 and Class 99. Its diesel mode delivers sufficient power for solo freight hauling but at only about 17.5% of its electric capacity, making it ideal for last-mile or branch line assignments.
Approximately 70% of parts—including bodyshell, cab structure, braking systems, bogies, traction gear, and control software—are shared with its predecessor, the Class 68. It matches the Class 68’s maximum speed of , enabling compatibility with passenger services. When operating under electrification, it produces ; in diesel mode, its Caterpillar C27 engine generates . The engine meets EU Stage IIIB emissions requirements but is intentionally limited in output to mirror traditional Class 20 performance levels.
Braking features include dynamic and regenerative systems alongside standard air brakes. Regenerative braking can feed up to 4MW back into overhead lines. In diesel operation, the engine powers a traction motor functioning as an alternator, eliminating the need for a separate generator unit. The Class 88 exhibits rapid acceleration when lightly loaded, reaching in approximately 13 seconds—comparable to modern automobiles.
Testing and delivery
In April 2016, the inaugural Class 88 locomotive, numbered 88001, was dispatched to the Velim Test Centre in the Czech Republic for comprehensive validation trials. The certification process included pulling a 1,500-tonne consist and detailed evaluation of its diesel-electric switching capabilities. Considering the UK's roughly 35 different catenary systems, verifying the Class 88's pantograph compatibility was essential. Industry sources reported favorable outcomes from these tests. The first public showing of 88001 occurred in July 2016, with 88003 following at InnoTrans in September.
By January 2017, unit 88002, named Prometheus, arrived in the UK through the Port of Southampton and was transferred to Carlisle Kingmoor TMD. It was initially utilized for homologation purposes to obtain certification from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). The entire batch of ten Class 88 locomotives had been delivered by March 2017. In July of that year, DRS introduced the Class 88 into commercial operations, with three locomotives engaged in freight services during the first month. Early deployments minimized diesel engine use while driver training and minor adjustments by the manufacturer were completed.
Operation
Direct Rail Services acquired the Class 88 as a dual-purpose locomotive designed for both passenger and freight applications. Its primary role is to allow DRS to operate freight trains under electric power independently, eliminating reliance on external traction providers. Comparable to the Class 68, it is also capable of hauling passenger services.
Prior to full service entry, DRS assigned the Class 88 fleet to run contracted freight between Daventry and Mossend on behalf of supermarket chain Tesco. This route is scheduled for electric operation and previously required two Class 68 locomotives operating in multiple. Additional assignments for the Class 88 include routes that were formerly diesel-operated but have since been electrified.
Named locomotives
The following names have been assigned to the Class 88 locomotives:
| Number | Name | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| 88001 | Revolution | Direct Rail Services |
| 88002 | Prometheus | |
| 88003 | Genesis | |
| 88004 | Pandora | |
| 88005 | Minerva | |
| 88006 | Juno | |
| 88007 | Electra | |
| 88008 | Ariadne | |
| 88009 | Diana | |
| 88010 | Aurora |
Eight of these names (specifically units 88002 and 88004 through 88010) are revivals from British Rail’s Class 76 and Class 77 electric locomotives that were constructed in the 1950s for use on the Woodhead line electrification.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Loco nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 88 | Direct Rail Services | 10 | 2015–16 | 88001–88010 |
Models
In collaboration with Rails of Sheffield, Dapol is manufacturing a Class 88 replica in OO scale, representing four specific units: 88001, 88003, 88007, and 88010.
External links
- Report of launch event (includes photo)