Constructed at BREL-Crewe in the period 1987-1990.50 built as replacements for ageing Class-81/2/3/4 and 85 types.WCML duties cut short by the Pendolino Revolution but still used by DBS and Freightliner on freight and Abellio-East Anglia on passenger duties plus the Sleeper services to Scotland.Several stored U-S and may never return to service.
Final shot of a totally cloudless day was this one of yet another Class-90 hauled service on the ECML.This one being EWS-90039 aided by 82231 working up through Claypole with '1B88' the 16:09 from Kings Cross going only as far as Newark North Gate. Although the sun remained shining brightly a 4 hour journey was needed to get back home so after this shot we departed!
..7 may 2018..
What goes up must come down! DB-liveried 90019 'Multimodal' which went to Newark North Gate and terminated there barely 25 minutes ago repassed Claypole now journeying back to Kings Cross as '1B87' departing Newark at 15:52.Now pushing its train with DVT 82224 leading.
..7 may 2018..
DB logo'd 90019 'Multimodal' speeds up through Claypole with '1B86' the 14:08 away from Kings Cross going to Newark North Gate. DVT 82224 being on the back ready for the reverse journey upon arrival there.
..7 may 2018..
Matching Schenker 'Pinks' 90018 'Pride of Bellshill' and 90040 power through Atherstone with '4M25' the 06:06 from Mossend-Euroterminal to Daventry-IRFT.A very unusual day today! Not a cloud in the sky from dawn to dusk!
..7 may 2018..
90024 is a 'hire-in' from DB-Cargo to help out due to a shortage of Class-91's whilst they go through workshops on overhaul.The dark blue livery this loco carries is all that is left of the DRS style it had whilst in use with that company also 'on-hire'.Here it is speeding south pushing '1A40' the 16:15 from Leeds to Kings Cross.Viewed here passing the trackside Broad Fen Farm at Claypole.
..25 july 2017..
This 'Hire-In' from DB-Cargo to cover a shortage of Class-91's whilst they are going through Works 90034 works '1D16' The 13:35 from Kings Cross going to Leeds.The train is an entire ECML set minus the Class-91.Upon the return journey the DVT will lead and 90034 will push from the rear as normal VTEC practice.It is seen heading north at Frinkley Lane nr Marston north of Grantham.
..25 july 2017..
'4S44' the 12:13 from Daventry to Coatbridge hauled by 90042 & 90044 rejoin the old WCML at Heamies Farm after passing over the new section via Seachlight Lane Junction that was recently built to facilitate the Flyover at Norton Bridge for Stoke line bound workings.It was designed to reduce congestion due to pathing conflicts at Norton Bridge where the original 'flat' junction was located.
..24 july 2017..
EWS pairing 90037 'Spirit of Dagenham' & 90024 'Malcolm' rumble through Heamies Farm nr Norton Bridge on the WCML with '4M25' the 06:06 from Mossend to Daventry.This once nicely open location is now ruined by masts and brambles and bushes.The need to go down into the field north of the bridge here is now very necessary to get any sort of a reasonable shot of traffic going south,
..24 july 2017..
Freightliner pairing 90043 & 90046 passes under the new B5026 road bridge built as part of the 'Stoke-Line' Flyover scheme recently completed here at Norton Bridge in some rather weak sun..They were working '4M27' the 05:25 from Coatbridge to Daventry (DIRFT).Note the now rusty redundant northbound 'slow' which was replaced by a new section of line from Little Bridgeford Junction through Searchlight Lane Junction to Heamies Farm about 1/2 a mile to the north-west of this location.
..24 july 2017..
Wearing the 'Powerhaul' styling Skoda-90042 works '4M87' the 11:13 from Felixstowe-North FLT to Trafford Park-FLT past Barby Nortoft in something like full sunlight finally just before teatime.Typically this was the last working of any substance going north so that was that.Better luck next time I suppose!
27 march 2017..
Freightliner-Green 90016 heads north at Barby Nortoft with '4M88' the 09:32 from Felixstowe-North FLT to Crewe Basford Hall.The so-called 'nice day' finally appeared at 16:00 in the afternoon.All very welcome but in reality about 4 hours later than would have been necessary to have made this trip to the Midlands really worth while!
..27 march 2017..
59002 which has been at Crewe for a while possibly for repair work is seen sandwiched between 90028 and 90029 running as '0A06' from Crewe T.M.D down to Wembley Euro Frt Ops.Obviously on its return journey back to its Mendip-Rail base at Merehead.A lucky glimmer of weak sunlight helping to brighten the scene here at Barby Nortoft next to the Daventry-DIRFT.
..27 march 2017..
After a superbly sunny day previously and the BBC-Weather Forecast sounding optomistic for a repeat today a 200 mile + round-trip was undertaken to picture this working '4M25' the 06:06 from Mossend-Euro Terminal to Daventry-DIRFT.Naturally the predicted blue skies failed to appear in time leaving me with this rather flat rendition instead.Ex-DRS DB-owned Blue 90034 was being partnered by a rather filthy EWS 90037 as the Intermodel train passed me at Cathiron west of Rugby.Oh well! at least I saw it!
..27 march 2017..
Freightliner's 90041 passes Old Linslade on a nicely loaded '4L89' from Crewe-Basford Hall (04:10 off) heading for Felixstowe-North FLT.
..31 july 2015..
Wearing a much nicer version of the new Freightliner-Powerhaul livery than is being applied to the Class-66's 90045 runs through Old Linslade going north on '4M45' the 02:50 from Felixstowe-North FLT to Ditton.Although this departed the docks about 20 minutes ahead of '4M21' here it was 20 minutes behind.The loss being accounted for by the traction change from Diesel to Electric at Ipswich.
31 july 2015..
The Scottish Sleeper Service seems to be almost as unreliable as its FGW counterpart.Yesterdays train was running nearly an hour behind schedule and today the Inverness portion was terminated at Aviemore due to an operating problem (Class-67 failed).What you see here is a 2/3 load Sleeper running in the path of caped '1M16' without the Inverness portion probably as '1Z16' with just the Fort William and Aberdeen sets only.Anyway the bonus was an unexpected EWS-90039 instead of the more usual Caley-Class 92.This apparantly took over the train at Crewe.It is seen passing a brightly lit Old Linslade at 07:09 in the morning.
..31 july 2015..
Not quite the '6M76' we were expecting but the lack of any China-Clay bogies to be brought south resulted in this somewhat truncated train!.Here is Schenker-Red 90029 with a single bogie scrap wagon passing Old Linslade running not unexpectedly given the load somewhat earlier than booked time.The service originated in Scotland at Mossend with the destination being Wembley.
..31 july 2015..
'4S47' the 19:13 from Daventry to Mossend Euro Terminal heads north at Easenhall with a Schenker owned pair of Class-90s in charge.Previously this was a Class-92 duty but these are now either stored,working Sleeper Trains,generally out of favour or being exported to Bulgaria.Hence 90s are back in favour.Here are 90018 and 90020 captured on a long telephoto lens again due to an advancing foreground shadow! Good load as well!
..30 july 2015..
'Powerhaul' liveried 90049 is paired with 1st-generation 'Freightliner' coloured 90043 on a well loaded '4M88',the 09:32 from Felixstowe going to Crewe-Basford Hall. Due to the time of year the lineside here at Easenhall has lots of tall grasses making photography from fence-level nigh on impossible.It is however fine in early Spring-time in say March and April!
..30 july 2015..
Not only did the sun shine,albeit quite weakly but this working,'4M25' the 06:06 from Mossend Euro-Terminal to Daventry Int-RFT had the good grace to run on the down-main making for a more balanced picture.Traction today was EWS 90020 leading with Schenker-Red 90018 tucked inside.Both loco's seemed to be powering as the 'pans' were in the raised position.Location is Cathiron north of Rugby.
..30 july 2015..
90048 still wears Freightliners original attempt at an corporate livery as it is seen ploughing southwards through Cathiron with '4L90',the 12:30 from Crewe-Basford Hall going to Felixstowe-FLT.This favourite photographic spot is nowadays a sea of palisade fencing requiring a decent ladder that extends to give at least 6ft height to be able to take pictures in any comfort!
..30 july 2015..
90010 'Bressingham Steam&Gardens' speeds past Pudding Mill Lane going to Liverpool Street with the 10:30 ex-Norwich '1P29'.The Olympic Park Sculpture dominates the background.
..23 february 2013..
'1P27' with 90001 powers away from its brief 2 minute halt at Stratford for the short run down into Liverpool Street with this service from Norwich.The big new 'Westfield' Shopping Precinct forming the backdrop.
To see a shot of this Loco being built at Crewe in 1987 clickHERE
..23 february 2013..
90001,the original '90' once going to be numbered 87201 stands in Stratford with '1P27' the 10:00 away from Norwich. Some Norwich to Liverpool Street workings now call here.This is in recognition I suppose of the area's new found importance since the redevelopment leading up to the 2012 Olympics.
..23 february 2013..
Freightliner's Powerhaul-liveried 90049 runs into Stratford from the north with '4L97' from Trafford-Park going to Felixstowe.In the background can be seen 'The ArcelorMittal Orbit'.This is a piece of metallic sculpture constructed as a centrepiece in The Olympic Park during the 2012 Games held here at Stratford.
..23 february 2013..
'The Evening Star' 90013 pushes its way past Stratford going to Norwich with '1P24' the 11:30 from Liverpool Street.No time today to sample the delights of M&S or try the Casino!
..23 february 2013..
Just about the only regular passenger work in the UK these days for Class-90's is on the London-Liverpool Street to Norwich route for 'Greater-Anglia'. Here is 90013 passing Stratford minutes away from its destination Liverpool-Street.The workng was '1P23' the 09:00 off Norwich.
..23 february 2013..
The famed 'Pretendolino',a set of Mk-3 carriages finished in the style of the Class 390's operate an occasional service on the WCML as and when required. One such working is the fridays-only 19:03 from Euston going to Birmingham-New Street, '1G40'.Invariably hauled by a Freightliner Class-90. Here it is seen passing Soulbury south of Bletchley running about 10 minutes late.(We had wondered if it was cancelled!) 90043 'Freightliner-Coatbridge' was the traction on this evening.The sun was approaching the horizon but the weak sunlight was just enough to tinge the clouds and brighten up the front end of this rare speeding LCHS service.
..27 july 2012..
Grey 90044 hums southwards at Cathiron with '4L97' from Trafford Park going to Felixstowe
..27 july 2012...
90041 heads north at Cathiron with '4m45' coming from Felixstowe and heading for Ditton.A very full Liner consisting of mainly MSC-Shipping containers.
..27 july 2012..
A Powerhaul-Double! 90049 with 70001 'inside' passes Cathiron going south with '4L41' from Crewe to Felixstowe.The GE 70001 has been out of service for sometime being used as a testbed on the GCR.This movement signifies its return to active service.
..27 july 2012..
I must be mad! Forced from my bed at 05:00 to travel from Nottingham to Cathiron to capture a dull shot of '1M16' the Caledonian-Sleeper from Inverness to Euston.Here seen passing Cathiron with 90036 amazingly still fitted with its 'confused arrows' BR logo.
..27 july 2012..
Another of the dwindling band of railfreight-grey liveried Class-90's.This one is 90043 'Freightliner-Coatbridge' on '4M87' from Felixstowe going to Trafford Park.Again the Church of St Botolph's in the local Church Brampton Village is just visable.
..29 september 2011..
90049 now wearing the latest 'Powerhaul' colours passes Church-Brampton on '4M54' from Felixstowe heading for the major liner interchange at Crewe.In the background can be seen the Church of St Botolph's that is the centrepiece of the local village.
..29 september 2011..
'Powerhaul' 90045 with a well loaded '4M88' passes Church-Brampton just 7 minutes behind the preceeding '4M87'.A superb day sunwise today and not before time after the abysmal summer we have had to suffer this year!
..29 september 2011..
First Freight seen here at Church-Brampton on the 2-track Northampton-Loop was '4M81' from Felixstowe going to Crewe. Grey 90047 still sporting the original red-triangle flash introduced many years ago being in charge.
..29 september 2011..
90049 now adorned by the newest 'Freightliner-Powerhaul' style passes Millmeece nr Norton-Bridge with '4M81' from Felixstowe going to Crewe.
..22 august 2011..
Green-Team Member 90046 heads '4L97'.This monday-only Crewe to Felixstowe train features '90' power whilst the rest of the week has one of the new 70's in charge. Seen passing under the footbridge at Chorlton.No boxes on the first few flat-wagons but the bonus is you can see the herd of cows grazing in the field beyond!
..22 august 2011..
2nd freight of the day after a 04:00 start to travel to this location was this one,the 07:18 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Felixstowe '4L89'.Seen passing Chorlton just a mile or so south of the exit from the Yards there.2-tone grey 90047 doing the business.
..22 august 2011..
Ex-virgin 90007 at that time nameless runs south through Needham Market with '1P47' the 15:00 from Norwich to London's Liverpool Street.All the liveries seen here are now long gone although the loco still works this route now 11 years later albeit in 'Abellio-Greater Anglia' livery.
..17 september 2005..
Railfreight Distribution 90021 'on-hire' to Anglia works '1P23' the 09:00 from Norwich going to London-Liverpool Street through Brantham west of Ipswich.This line is still LCHS in 2016 with Class-90's but all will be replaced in the next few years by foreign built EMU's.
..24 april 2004..
This EWS-loco 90024 was reliveried into GNER colours but never actually carried the branding making it a quite unique colour scheme.Here it is heading for Liverpool Street with '1P13' the 07:00 from Norwich speeding through Brantham west of Ipswich.This engine in 2016 (12 years later) continues to be quite active,currently in DB-Malcolm colours working mainly between Mossend and Daventry on the daily dedicated 'Malcolm' Intermodel.
.24 april 2004..
Pictured during the changeover period when Class-90's were beginning to take over from the venerable 86's.RES liveried 90016 stands at Ipswich on a 11:30 from Norwich to London-Liverpool Street working.A mix of Anglia and I/C Mk-2's forming the stock.
..16 march 2004..
90006 in its original Inter-City livery stands at platform-11 in Crewe with a Euston to Liverpool service.Despite it being early evening activity on the platform was rather low. 90006 still ply's the rails and is one of the '90-s' still in active passenger service now working out of London's Liverpool St on the Norwich services.
..21 february 2000..
New-Build and yet to be introduced into service was this class that became known as 90's.At this time the numbering scheme had this engine listed as 87201.However when it finally rolled out of Crewe Works where it is seen being assembled the engine became 90001.Finally completed and departed the works for testing on '31 october 1987'.The class entered service on the WCML in 1988.