The Deal: What’s Being Sold
- Locomotives involved: 25 surplus EMD Class 66 diesel locomotives—a workhorse freight type previously used in the UK. (Rail UK)
- Buyer: Grup Feroviar Român (GFR), the flagship freight rail operator of the GRAMPET Group, one of the largest private rail freight networks in Central and Southeastern Europe. (CursDeGuvernare.ro)
- Value: A multi-million-pound sale, though the precise financial terms were not publicly disclosed. (SeeNews)
Delivery & Preparation Schedule
- First locomotive (No. 66014) will depart DB Cargo UK’s Toton traction maintenance depot in Nottinghamshire at the end of January 2026. (Rail UK)
- The full delivery of all 25 units is planned to be completed by mid-2028. (Rail UK)
- Before export, each locomotive will be:
- Fully reinstated to current UK operational standards.
- Repainted in blue, aligning with the buyer’s fleet livery. (CursDeGuvernare.ro)
Why DB Cargo UK Is Selling These Locomotives
DB Cargo UK’s leadership says this sale is part of a broader fleet optimisation strategy:
“These locomotives are surplus to DB Cargo UK’s requirements and will still leave ample traction capacity in our fleet to meet forecast freight growth,” said Wayne Miller, Engineering Director.
The locomotives will be reinstated and prepared for export from Toton, which DB Cargo UK calls its centre of excellence for locomotive maintenance. (Rail UK)
This reflects a shift in DB Cargo UK’s operational priorities and fleet planning, focusing on matching its locomotive roster more closely with expected service demands.
Strategic Importance for Grup Feroviar Român (GFR)
GFR Chairman Sorin Chinde highlighted several strategic benefits:
• The Class 66 locomotives will become the backbone of GFR’s diesel freight fleet.
• Replacing the aging LDE 2100 locomotives — which have become costly to maintain and hard to support with spare parts — will cut operating and maintenance overheads.
• The power output and reliability of the Class 66s are expected to allow GFR to withdraw more outdated units than the 25 being acquired. (CursDeGuvernare.ro)
This aligns with GFR’s broader fleet modernisation strategy as it balances costs, performance, and availability in freight operations across markets where electrification is limited.
Broader Context & Significance
🇪🇺 Cross-Border Fleet Moves
This agreement is a notable example of second-hand locomotive transfers within the European rail market:
- It helps extend the operational life of proven UK-built diesel traction in new regions.
- Transfers like these reflect a broader trend of freight operators optimising rolling stock across national markets rather than simply scrapping older units. (Rail UK)
Impact on Diesel Traction Usage
While many railways push toward electrification or alternative traction, diesel locomotives like the Class 66 remain essential for routes without reliable electrification. Their sale demonstrates that well-maintained diesel traction still has strong commercial value in parts of Europe where infrastructure investment is ongoing. (CursDeGuvernare.ro)
Operational Notes on Class 66
- The Class 66 is a widely used freight locomotive, known for robustness and adaptability on non-electrified lines. (Wikipedia)
- Some rail-worker groups in the past have raised ergonomic concerns for drivers on this model, though it remains in service across many operators internationally. (Wikipedia)
What This Means for the Rail Industry For DB Cargo UK
- Enables fleet downsizing in line with current demand forecasting.
- Reinforces investment in locomotive maintenance and refurbishment capabilities at Toton. (Rail UK)
For GFR & GRAMPET
- Strengthens diesel traction resources across GFR’s network, which spans multiple European countries.
- Positions GFR to improve service reliability and reduce costs from aging equipment. (CursDeGuvernare.ro)
Here’s a case-studies-style breakdown and industry comments on the sale of 25 DB Cargo UK locomotives to Romania’s Grup Feroviar Român (GFR) — focusing on strategic, operational, and market-reaction angles. (railwaygazette.com)
Case Study 1 — DB Cargo UK Fleet Optimisation & Partnership
Strategic Rationale (DB Cargo UK)
- The sale is part of DB Cargo UK’s ongoing fleet optimisation strategy — moving surplus EMD Class 66 diesel locomotives out of the fleet to better align traction assets with forecast freight demand in the UK. (railwaygazette.com)
- Wayne Miller, Engineering Director at DB Cargo UK, emphasised that these units are no longer required for the company’s core operations but will still leave ample motive power to support future freight growth. (railwaygazette.com)
- All locomotives will be reinstated to UK operational standards and repainted before export — a practical reuse strategy that extends their life instead of scrapping them. (railwaygazette.com)
Insight: This reflects broader trends where legacy diesel assets are redeployed across markets where electrification is less extensive or cost-effective, rather than being retired early. (railwaygazette.com)
Case Study 2 — GFR Fleet Modernisation
Operational Impact (GFR)
- Grup Feroviar Român (GFR), Romania’s largest private freight operator, is buying the Class 66 fleet as a strategic investment in reliable diesel traction that will become the backbone of its diesel operations. (railwaygazette.com)
- GFR is replacing its LDE 2100 locomotives, many decades old, due to rising maintenance costs and scarce spare parts, a common issue for aging fleets in many markets. (railwaygazette.com)
- Sorin Chinde (Chairman) stated that the superior power output and availability of Class 66 units will enable GFR to withdraw more old locomotives than it’s buying, raising overall efficiency. (railwaygazette.com)
Learning: Second-hand acquisition of proven models like Class 66 can accelerate fleet renewal for operators in emerging or transitional markets, balancing cost with reliability. (railwaygazette.com)
Industry & Stakeholder Comments
DB Cargo UK Comment
- Optimisation Focus: DB Cargo UK framed this deal as a rationalisation of capacity rather than a sign of decline — the locomotives are surplus, but the company still supports traffic growth. (railwaygazette.com)
- Maintenance Strength: Preparatory work at Toton’s Traction Maintenance Depot highlights the value of strong in-house engineering before transfer. (railwaygazette.com)
Analyst takeaway: Reinstating and painting the locomotives prior to export not only increases their resale value but also indicates long-term collaboration between UK and European freight networks. (railwaygazette.com)
GFR / GRAMPET Comment
- Strategic Investment: Chairman Sorin Chinde emphasised that acquiring these locomotives supports operational efficiency and long-term sustainability for freight services across multiple European countries. (railwaygazette.com)
- Fleet Renewal: The deal aligns with broader continuous modernisation — reducing dependency on very old diesel units, improving reliability, and increasing operational flexibility. (railwaygazette.com)
Market view: GFR’s focus on proven models like the Class 66 reflects a pragmatic approach to fleet renewal where electrification is limited or infrastructure investment is uneven. (railwaygazette.com)
Broader Market & Operational Commentary
Lifecycle Extension of Diesel Assets
- The Class 66 is a globally recognised workhorse diesel freight platform with decades of service history. Their redeployment to Eastern Europe underscores how second-life markets sustain asset utility beyond original operational contexts. (Wikipedia)
Maintenance & Cost Dynamics
- Older locomotive models often face maintenance headaches and spare-parts scarcity in mature operators’ fleets. Passing them to markets with active usage can reduce overall lifecycle cost per tonne-km for both seller and buyer. (railwaygazette.com)
Summary: What This Sale Demonstrates
- Strategic Fleet Management: DB Cargo UK’s sale aligns traction capacity with real demand, freeing up capital and reducing idle assets. (railwaygazette.com)
- Operational Upgrade for GFR: The deal fast-tracks GFR’s diesel modernisation and enables service improvements where electrification isn’t yet widespread. (railwaygazette.com)
- European Freight Integration: Cross-border locomotive transactions point to deeper integration and resource optimisation within the European freight sector. (railwaygazette.com)