Direct Rail Services (DRS) has released an image of the first liveried dual-mode Class 88 locomotives, 88002, and announced that a second has completed testing in the Czech Republic.
Stadler, which acquired manufacturer Vossloh at the end of last year, announced that 88001 had completed testing ahead of schedule at the Velim test track.
A dual-mode locomotive, the Class 88 is able to operate in 25 kV AC electric and diesel modes. During testing, 88001 demonstrated it was capable of hauling a 1,500-tonne train and ER20 locomotive in both modes.
DRS, in partnership with Beacon Rail Leasing, has ordered 10 Class 88 locomotives to support its fleet of 32 Class 68 diesel-electric locomotives.
88003 will be on display in Berlin in September at the international railway trade fair Innotrans.
First new electric locomotives in Britain since the Class 92, and the first mixed-traffic electrics since the Class 90. Looking forward to seeing them in service.
‘Direst Rail Services’ – fantastic Freudian slip there! Excellent opening line.