DB Cargo UK Tests Stadler Class 93 Tri-Mode 1,500-Ton Freight UK

LONDON, UK – DB Cargo UK, in collaboration with the Rail Operations Group and Network Rail, completed a test of the Stadler Class 93 tri-mode locomotive on March 10. Locomotive 93006 was used to haul a 1,500-ton intermodal train between the Port of Liverpool (Seaforth) and Mossend terminal in Scotland to evaluate its performance on a key UK freight corridor.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The Stadler Class 93 is a tri-mode locomotive designed for both freight and passenger services, building on the platform of the earlier Class 68 and Class 88 models. Its primary power source is a 25 kV AC electric system, providing up to 4 MW (4,000 kW) of power, which can be supplemented by an additional 0.6 MW from its battery packs. For operation on non-electrified lines, it is equipped with a 900 kW Stage V-compliant diesel engine and two Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) battery packs, which can provide a 400 kW boost in hybrid mode or allow for standalone, emission-free shunting and last-mile operations.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

The Class 93 positions itself as a direct solution to the UK’s fragmented electrified rail network, offering operational flexibility that single-mode electric or diesel locomotives lack. It represents an incremental but significant technological advancement over Stadler’s own Class 88 bi-mode (electric/diesel) locomotives by adding a powerful battery-only mode for zero-emission operations in depots, ports, and urban areas. This trial places DB Cargo at the forefront of evaluating multi-modal traction as a decarbonisation strategy that doesn’t rely on the pace of government-funded electrification projects. While other operators are exploring battery and hydrogen technologies, the Class 93’s combination of three proven power sources offers a lower-risk, transitional technology. Comparable public data on tri-mode locomotive trials by other major UK freight operators was not available at the time of publication.

Editor’s Analysis

DB Cargo’s evaluation of the Class 93 is a strategic response to current market conditions, focusing on operational efficiency over fleet expansion. This move comes as the wider UK market for new-build railcars is softening, indicating a shift from acquiring more assets to maximising the utility and environmental performance of existing services (Source: FreightCar America, 2025 data). By testing a locomotive that can seamlessly transition between electrified and non-electrified lines, DB Cargo is exploring ways to improve asset utilisation and reduce the carbon footprint of key supply chains, aligning with the UK’s national rolling stock strategy (Source: Railway PRO).

FAQ

Q: Why is a tri-mode locomotive being tested in the UK?
A: The UK rail network has significant gaps in its 25 kV AC overhead electrification, particularly on diversionary routes and into freight terminals. A tri-mode locomotive like the Class 93 can run on electricity where available, then switch to diesel or battery power to complete its journey without needing to change locomotives.

Q: What is the maximum load the Class 93 hauled during these tests?
A: The locomotive successfully hauled intermodal trains weighing up to 1,500 tons. According to the Rail Operations Group, it also demonstrated its ability to start from a standstill on steep gradients with this load.

Q: Does this test mean DB Cargo UK will purchase a fleet of Class 93s?
A: No purchase has been confirmed. The company stated that the test was part of a broader, ongoing review of its future fleet investment strategy and that they were impressed with the locomotive’s performance.