Plans to standardise rail freight services between the UK and Europe have taken a step forward following successful trial runs of the Alstom Prima II locomotive in the Channel Tunnel.
Until now, Class 92 locomotives, which are not approved to run on the French RFF network, have operated exclusively through the tunnel, but in July, Eurotunnel obtained agreement that Technical Specifications for Interoperability should be applied to freight trains travelling through the tunnel to allow for open access.
Overnight between September 29 and 30, a Prima II locomotive, in standard configuration and hauling wagons with a total weight of 950 tonnes, entered the tunnel via the French portal at 22.20 before conducting a series of traction, brake and pantograph tests. The locomotive exited the tunnel at Folkestone at approximately 03.00, before departing for a second series of tests on the return journey to France.
Jacques Gounon, chairman and chief executive officer of Groupe Eurotunnel SA, said: “Gaining authorisation for new rolling stock is an essential part in the development of the open access approach implemented by Eurotunnel.
“I am very pleased that our close cooperation with Alstom is opening up new avenues for freight whilst at the same time significantly reducing CO2 emission.”
