British Rail Class 88

British Rail Class 88
A DRS Class 88 at Scout Green
Type and origin Power type Electro-diesel Designer Vossloh Builder Vossloh España/Stadler Rail Valencia Model Stadler Euro Dual Build date 2015–2016 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 1,067 mm (42.0 in) Axle load 21.5 t (21.2 long tons; 23.7 short tons) Loco weight 86 t (85 long tons; 95 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Electric system/s 25 kV AC Catenary Current pickup(s) Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph Prime mover Caterpillar C27 Engine type Four-stroke V12 Transmission electrical AC/AC type, ABB MU working Within class and with Class 68 Train heating Electric, HEP inverter up to 500 kW (ETH index 96) Train brakes wheel disc, electropneumatic dynamic (regenerative*)
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 mph (160 km/h) Power output 4 MW (5,400 hp) electrical 0.7 MW (940 hp) diesel Tractive effort 317 kN (71,000 lbf)
Career Operators Direct Rail Services Numbers 88001–88010 Current owner Beacon Rail

The British Rail Class 88 is a type of mainline mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Vossloh España/Stadler Rail Valencia for Direct Rail Services (DRS) in the United Kingdom. The locomotive is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family. It is the first dual-mode locomotive in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification.

Amid the fulfillment of DRS' order for the Class 68, Vossloh's team proposed the development of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). Having been impressed by the concept, DRS opted to place an order for ten Class 88s during September 2013. Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotives, amounting to roughly 70 per cent of all components being shared.

Testing of the first Class 88 was undertaken at the Velim Test Centre in the Czech Republic during 2016; these trials proved to be relatively smooth.^[1] During July 2016, 88001 made the type's first official public appearance. During January 2017, 88002 Prometheus was the first Class 88 to be delivered to the UK. All ten Class 88 locomotives were delivered by March 2017. During June 2017, the type entered regular service with DRS; examples have been typically used to haul freight trains, although they are also fitted for hauling passenger services as well.