British Rail Class 88

British Rail Class 88
Locomotive 88009 hauling a container train near Scout Green
Type and origin
Power typeElectro-diesel
BuilderStadler Rail [en]
Build date2015-2016
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Electric system/s25 kV AC overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Prime moverCaterpillar C27
RPM range1,750 rpm (29.2 Hz)
Loco brakeRegenerative
Dynamic
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
Power outputElectric mode: 5,360 hp (4,000 kW)
Diesel mode: 950 hp (710 kW)
Tractive effort317 kN (71,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsDirect Rail Services [en]
Numbers88001-88010
Sources: (except where noted)

The British Rail Class 88 is an electro-diesel locomotive. It is designed to pull both passenger and freight trains. It was made by Vossloh [en] and later Stadler Rail [en] for use in the United Kingdom.

The type is similar to the Class 68 diesel locomotive. The Class 88 has a smaller diesel engine and is powered by electricity from the overhead wires. The two locomotive types also share many parts with each other.

Background

In 2014, Direct Rail Service [en] introduced the Class 68. These diesel locomotives proved to be highly effective machines. DRS then thought of an electric locomotive with an onboard diesel engine. This ability allowed the locomotive to run a short distance beyond the electric wires.

The concept of an electro-diesel locomotive is not new in the UK. Before the Class 88, in the 1960s the Class 73 and Class 74 made their appearance. These machines use third rail in electric mode. The Class 88 uses overhead wires. It is also capable of hauling a train by just using the diesel engine. This makes the type a true electro-diesel locomotive.

The Class 88s share a lot of parts with the Class 68s. These included driver's cabs, bodyshell, traction motors, bogies, and others.

Production and delivery

During September 2013, DRS announced that it had placed an order for ten locomotives. These were designated as Class 88. In April 2016, 88001, the first of its class, was sent to the Czech Republic. While in the Czech Republic, 88001 underwent a number of tests. Rail reported that the trials were deemed a success.

Cab interior

During January 2017, 88002 Prometheus became the first of its class to arrive in the UK. It was brought to the Port of Southampton by ship. The locomotive was then transported by road to Carlisle Kingmoor TMD [en] depot. In June 2017, the Class 88s had entered service. Not every driver was trained to operate the Class 88s. As a result, the use their onboard diesel engines went unused for a while. Vossloh was also making some small changes to the Class 88s at the time.

Operation

The Class 88 locomotives primarily served DRS's freight trains on electrified lines. This way, DRS did not have to hire electric locomotives from other operators. Before the delivery of the Class 88s, DRS borrowed Class 92 locomotives from DB Schenker [en] to pull container trains on the West Coast Main Line.

When the type entered service, DRS put the Class 88s on Daventry and Mossend [en] freight trains on behalf of Tesco. The Class 88s would also replace diesel locomotives on trains that run under electric wires.

Names

DRS Class 88 at Crewe with a charter train
88007 Electra at Helwith Bridge

All ten Class 88s received names. The names given are as follows:

Number Name Operator
88001 Revolution Direct Rail Services [en]
88002 Prometheus
88003 Genesis
88004 Pandora
88005 Minerva
88006 Juno
88007 Electra
88008 Ariadne
88009 Diana
88010 Aurora

Eight of the Class 88s have names previously belonged to Class 76 and 77 electric locomotives. 88002 was named after Class 76 E26055. The other seven were named after the seven Class 77s. DRS did this to attract more railway enthusiasts.

References

  1. 1 2 "Beacon Rail and DRS order dual-mode locos". Modern Railways. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ready for the '88' revolution". Rail. 19 December 2016. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 Briginshaw, David (25 September 2014). "Electro-diesel locomotive debuts at InnoTrans". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Marc (1 April 2014). "Sleek Lines". www.therailengineer.com. Retrieved 12 February 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ "DRS orders ten dual-mode Class 88s". Rail. No. 731. 18 September 2013. p. 7.
  6. ↑ Harris, Nigel, ed. (1 February 2017). "Direct Rail Services' first '88' arrives in UK". Rail Magazine. No. 819. Peterborough: Bauer Media. p. 15. ISSN 0953-4563.
  7. 1 2 Hewitt, Sam (19 July 2017). "First Revenue-Earning Freight for DRS Class 88". The Railway Magazine.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bonnier, Maxime (28 February 2017). "Inbound: Beacon Rail / DRS Class 88 electro-diesels". Railcolor News. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hewitt, Sam (15 March 2017). "DRS class 88s to revive Woodhead electric names". The Railway Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Hewitt, Sam (6 April 2017). "New locomotives delivered to UK - Rail Express". Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Hewitt, Sam (2 March 2019). "Class 88s visit Great Eastern Main Line". The Railway Magazine. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  12. ↑ Hewitt, Sam (3 March 2018). "OFF THE WIRES! CLASS 88S VISIT NORTH EAST AND HEYSHAM". The Railway Magazine. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  13. ↑ Milner, Chris, ed. (July 2020). "Track Record". Railway Magazine. Vol. 166, no. 1, 432. Horncastle: Mortons Media. p. 53. ISSN 0033-8923.

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