The Anonymous Widower

Enthusiasm For Class 68 And Class 88

I found this article from Rail Engineer about the new Class 68 and Class 88 locomotives that will soon be pulling freight and passenger trains on the UK rail network.

The article is enthusiastic about the two classes, but notes that the Class 68 will not meet the toughest EU pollution regulations.  This is particularly appropriate given that the UK and some European countries are suffering high levels of air pollution. The Rail Engineer article says this about compliance to the new regulations.

The CAT engines meet European Stage IIIA emission standards, and can be modified to meet 2012 IIIB emission standards by replacing the exhaust silencer with a diesel particulate filter. However, because of the UK’s restricted loading gauge, this would involve considerable re-design work if it were to be applied to the Class 68.

It is important that rail locomotives are improved, as the current mainstay, the Class 66 is not liked by those who live on busy freight routes, due to its noise.  I’ve also talked to drivers, who feel they have other problems too.

As an engineer, I feel that the best solution is the next generation of locomotives like the Class 88, which will be a 200 kph electric locomotive with an on-board diesel for running on non-electrified track.  I wrote about the Class 88 here.

April 2, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Class 66 Locomotive, Class 68 Locomotive, Class 88 Locomotive, Freight, Innovation, Trains