Freightliner Equips Class 66 Locomotive with ETCSFreightliner Equips Class 66 Locomotive with ETCS Freightliner and Siemens Mobility are collaborating on a significant retrofit project to equip a Class 66V locomotive with ETCS (European Train Control System). The Class 66V is a variant of the popular EMD Class 66 diesel locomotive series. Previously, a DB Cargo UK Class 66 locomotive received an ETCS retrofit at Progress Rail’s Doncaster facility. However, Freightliner notes that various versions of the Class 66 exist, each with unique wiring, bracket placement, and modifications for intermodal operations. Freightliner will install the Siemens Mobility ETCS equipment in-house to locomotive 66591 at its Leeds Midland Road depot. This installation will leverage Freightliner’s expertise in understanding the subtle differences between the various Class 66 variants. The retrofit process is scheduled to commence in June. Freightliner will document its experiences and share them with the wider industry as part of the East Coast Digital Program, which aims to implement ETCS on the rail network between London and Grantham. This retrofit marks a significant step towards enhancing the technological capabilities of the Class 66 locomotive fleet. By equipping locomotives with ETCS, train operators can improve safety, efficiency, and interoperability within the European rail network.
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UK: Freightliner and Siemens Mobility will undertake a first-in-class retrofit of ETCS equipment to a Class 66V, a variant of the widely used EMD Class 66 diesel locomotive family.
A DB Cargo UK Class 66 has previously been retrofitted with ETCS at Progress Rail’s Doncaster site as the first in its class for the type. However, Freightliner said there are several versions of the Class 66 as the design has matured over many years, with changes to wiring, bracket and item positions and modifications to support intermodal operations.
Freightliner will fit the Siemens Mobility ETCS equipment in-house to locomotive 66591 at its Leeds Midland Road depot, allowing it to draw on its knowledge of the ‘subtle differences’ between core and variant Class 66 locomotives.
The installation is expected to start in June and Freightliner will share its experiences with the wider industry as part of the East Coast Digital Program to deploy ETCS between London and Grantham.
