Sources:[3] except where notedDetails refer to original 5 locomotives acquired, for more information on the five units added in 2010 & 2016 see NS Class 6400
Five locomotives were built, numbered 0001–0005. They carry a yellow and grey livery and are used by Getlink for rescuing trains in the Channel Tunnel, and for propelling service trains in the channel tunnel. They are cleared to travel to Calais, Ashford, or St. Pancras; since 2007 they have been authorised to rescue trains on High Speed 1 in the event of a power failure.[6] They have also been used to haul the SNCF TGV Iris 320 test train through the Channel Tunnel.[7]
In 2007 the locomotives were fitted with diesel particulate filters for the exhaust gases,[8] which replaced the exhaust scrubber wagons that were previously coupled to the engines.[9]
Following a series of tunnel breakdowns due to snow during winter 2009/10, during which the locomotives were extensively used,[10] in November 2010 Eurotunnel announced it was to acquire two more Krupp rescue locomotives[note 1] with co-financing from Eurostar, at a cost of €1.3 million.[1][note 2] The locomotives acquired were similar NS 6400 locomotives bought second hand from DB Schenker Nederland,[11] which were renumbered as 0006-0007.[2] Eurotunnel acquired a further three in September 2016. One of these three will be retained as a shunter to work at the goods yard at Calais-Fréthun, and has received the silver and blue Europorte livery, while the other two have the grey and yellow Eurotunnel livery identical to the remainder of the fleet.
Class
Operator
No. Built (Year)
Number Range
Notes
0001
Eurotunnel
1991–1992
0001–0005
0006–0010
Purchased from DB Schenker Nederland
List of locomotives
Current Number
Previous Number
Current Livery
Status
Notes
Eurotunnel
TOPS
0001
21901
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0002
21902
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0003
21903
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0004
21904
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0005
21905
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0006
21906
NS6456
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0007
21907
NS6457
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0008
21908
NS6450
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0009
21909
NS6451
Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey
Operational
0010
21910
NS6447
Europorte Silver/Blue
Operational
Shunter at Calais-Frethun
Notes
^The MaK plant where the locomotives were built was part of the Krupp group in the 1990s
^Jeff Baker (28 April 2009), "Exhaust Emission Control"(PDF), www.uic.org, Eurotunnel, The Krupp Locomotive, p. 3
^"Maintenance"(PDF). Inspecting the infrastructure at 100 km/h. Annual Report (Report). Eurotunnel Group. 2010. p. 24. Archived from the original(PDF) on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011. IRIS 320 measuring train … since December 2010, … inspecting the Channel Tunnel, pulled by a Eurotunnel diesel locomotive at 100 km/h … every two months
^"MaK - DE 1004", www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German), see individual locomotive history sections