DB CARGO UK is withdrawing its Class 60 fleet from service, replacing them with modified Class 66s.
Speculation had suggested that the ‘60s’ would be withdrawn by the end of 2023, but no date has been confirmed by the freight operator. However, Pathfinder Tours announced that its ‘Festive Midland-Ian’ tour on December 16, set to feature top-and-tail DB Class 60s, would be the last such train DB would provide a ‘60’ for.
As this issue of Rail Express went to press, there were four operational Class 60s in the WCAT pool, which were Nos. 60024 Clitheroe Castle, 60040 The Territorial Army Centenary, 60062 Sonia and 60074 Luke.
A DB spokesperson told RE on November 23: “The Class 66 continues to form the backbone of DB Cargo UK’s fleet, with the Class 60 currently only used on limited traffic.
“After careful consideration, analysis and in collaboration with our customers, we have established that some of our services currently operated by Class 60s could be more effectively and efficiently operated by the Class 66 HTE – this will benefit our
