British Rail Class 67

The Class 67 was a fleet of thirty Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives built in 1999–2000 by Alstom at their Valencia, Spain works, powered by a General Motors 12N-710G3B-EC prime mover producing 3,200 hp and capable of 125 mph — making them the fastest diesel locomotives in Britain. They were ordered by EWS for two specific purposes requiring both high speed and diesel traction: the Royal Mail contract services that ran overnight on passenger-speed schedules, and the empty coaching stock and Network Rail test train duties that required fast, reliable haulage on electrified and non-electrified routes.

The Class 67 was a development of the Class 66 platform, sharing the same GM prime mover family, but in a Bo-Bo rather than Co-Co wheel arrangement and designed for 125 mph. All thirty were named, many relating to royalty and national institutions. 67005 Queen’s Messenger and 67006 Royal Sovereign were specifically maintained for royal train duties.

The loss of the Royal Mail contract in 2003 removed the primary justification for the class, but the locomotives found a varied second career: hauling the Wrexham & Shropshire open-access service, Chiltern Railways executive trains, Network Rail test trains, and Transport for Wales locomotive-hauled services. As of 2026 all thirty remain in active service with DB Cargo and associated operators.