British Rail Class 90

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British Rail Class 90
90016 in Freightliner livery at Rugby in 2016
hideType and origin Power type Electric Builder British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works Build date 1987–1990 Total produced 50[1]
hideSpecifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo'  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 9+1⁄2 in (1.156 m)[2] Minimum curve 80 m (4 chains)[2] Wheelbase 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)[2]  • Bogie 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)[2] Pivot centres 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)[2] Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)[2] Width 9 ft (2.7 m)[2] Height: ​  • Pantograph 13 ft 0+1⁄4 in (3.969 m)[2] Loco weight 84.5 tonnes (83.2 long tons; 93.1 short tons)[1] Electric system/s 25 kV AC Catenary Current pickup(s) Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph[2] Traction motors 1,250 hp (930 kW) 4 × GEC 412 BZ[2] 4 × GEC G-412CY[1] Gear ratio 32:73[2] MU working TDM system Train heating Electric Train Heating index: 95[2] Loco brake Air, Rheostatic[2] Train brakes Air
hidePerformance figures Maximum speed 110 mph (177 km/h)[2] Power output: ​  • Continuous 5,000 hp (3,730 kW)[2] Tractive effort 58,000 lbf (258 kN) Brakeforce 40 tons[2]
hideCareer Operators British Rail DB Cargo UK Freightliner Numbers 90001–90050 Nicknames Skoda[3] Axle load class Route availability 7[2] Withdrawn 2004–present Disposition 24 in service, 26 stored

The British Rail Class 90 electric locomotives were built for mixed-traffic duties, operating from 25 kV AC overhead lines and produce 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). They weigh 84.5 tonnes and can typically achieve a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).^[4]

The Class 90 is a modernised derivative of the preceding Class 87 locomotive, having been originally designated as the Class 87/2. During the 1980s, BREL had submitted an offer to build 25 examples to replace various aging electric locomotives, including the Class 81s, Class 82s, Class 83s, Class 84s and Class 85s. It was selected over numerous rival proposals, including the Intercity 225 and the Class 89s; the type was manufactured by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Crewe Works between 1987 and 1990.

The Class 90 was introduced to service during the closing years of British Rail, being used for both passenger services and freight trains alike. Following the Privatisation of British Rail, the type has served with various operators, including Greater Anglia, Virgin Trains, Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), however it was largely displaced from regular passenger services during the 2000s and 2010s. Presently, Class 90s are usually employed on heavy freight trains and occasional charter services.

History[]

The origins of the Class 90 can be traced back to various schemes performed by British Rail during the 1970s and 1980s. Several events, including the electrification of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and the cancelled procurement of the Advanced Passenger Train (APT), which was at one point intended for the APT to be the next major inter-city express train, had led to a significant nationwide shortage of electric traction.^[5] Various different efforts were launched during this era to alleviate this shortage, including an electrified version of the InterCity 125 (known as the HST-E), the Class 89 mixed-traffic locomotive, and what would become the InterCity 225.^[6]

While BR's board had approved the ordering of a single Class 89 for demonstration purposes, the Strategy Committee queried why the locomotive had been favoured over a proposed 80-tonne Bo-Bo locomotive.^[6] At this time, the Class 89 had been allegedly thought to be a low-risk option for multi-purpose operations, but offered little in the way of performance advantages over the existing Class 87. It was clear that additional electric locomotives were necessary no matter what, as both the 1950s era Class 81 and Class 85 electric locomotives were nearing the end of their viable service lives and had become quite unreliable.^[6] The InterCity 225 was, at one point, intended to address this need for multipurpose traction; the prequalification document included a requirement for it to perform mixed-traffic duties, including day and night passenger duties, as well as handling parcel/mail traffic and overnight heavy freight services. Appraisals had also determined that the Class 89 was comparatively inferior in financial terms to the InterCity 225, which decreased the likelihood of the former ever attaining quantity production.^[6]

While it was intended for the InterCity 225 to be ubiquitous, even potentially having the capability built into it to operate over the southern third-rail network and within the Channel Tunnel, such fanciful ideas had been curtailed by mid 1984.^[6] BR officials opted to deprioritise the freight haulage capabilities of the InterCity 225; instead, they planned to meet the outstanding traction needs for the sector via other platforms. The Class 87 locomotive, having been introduced a decade earlier, had proven itself capable; thus there was considerable interest procuring additional units as a low-cost option with virtually no risk for the West Coast Main Line (WCML).^[6] The British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) issued its submission to produce an initial batch of 25 Class 87/2s (the original designation for the Class 90), which quickly received a favourable reception.^[6]

The BR board decided that it would curtail its plans to procure the InterCity 225 for the WCML and instead procure the Class 87/2 to haul its intended traffic.^[6] As result of this procurement, the freight business refused to finance a planned upgrade to InterCity 225’s traction equipment, which would have given the former an equal haulage capability to the Class 87/2. Further studies determined that, when hauling passenger consists, the Class 87/2 had no disadvantage against the InterCity 225 on the WCML, unless the latter was outfitted with tilting coaches; both the Class 87/2 and the InterCity 225's Class 91 locomotive had been specified to possess at least 5,000hp.^[6] Accordingly, the procurement of the Class 90 was assured, while no InterCity 225s would be procured for the WCML.^[6]

A total of 50 Class 90 locomotives were manufactured by BREL at the Crewe Works during the late 1980s; these were numbered 90001-050.

Description[]

The first Class 90, 90001, in brand-new condition at Crewe in 1987 in InterCity Swallow livery

The design of the Class 90 is heavily derived from the Class 87, but incorporates many improvements and new features; due to this lineage, the type was initially classified as the Class 87/2 prior to introduction.^[1] However, on account of its many visual and technical differences, it was decided to reclassify the locomotive as its own TOPS class.^[1] The Class 90s were primarily built to replace the Class 81s, Class 82s, Class 83s, Class 84s and Class 85s, all of which dated from the early 1960s and had become quite unreliable due to their advanced ages.^[6]

The class is fitted with rheostatic brakes in addition to standard Westinghouse air brake equipment. A Time-Division Multiplexer (TDM) is fitted to enable two or more locomotives to work in multiple or to work a push-pull passenger train with a Driving Van Trailer (DVT), DBSO or Propelling Control Vehicle. Single phase 1000V electric train supply (ETS) is provided to facilitate passenger working.

In 1991, with the sectorisation of British Rail removing shared mixed traffic locomotives and limiting them to specific sectors, 25 locomotives were dedicated for freight traffic; they were reclassified Class 90/1 and renumbered 90126-150 by the addition of 100 to the original number, with a 26th (90125) converted in 1993. The modifications included lowering the maximum speed to 75 mph (121 km/h), isolating the electric train supply by removing the ETH jumper cables and, later, by removing the drop-head buckeye and associated rubbing plate. Many of these locomotives were repainted in the new Railfreight Distribution two-tone grey livery, which was replaced by a revised version in 1994. Three locomotives (90128, 90129 and 90130) received special continental liveries: (NMBS/SNCB blue, Deutsche Bahn red and SNCF grey respectively) to celebrate the Freightconnection event in 1992.

In October 1991, the BR Parcels sector rebranded itself as Rail Express Systems introducing a new livery and dedicated to Royal Mail parcels services as well as postal trains. They were primarily used on London-Glasgow, London-Newcastle and Birmingham-Glasgow services. Five locomotives, 90016-020, were repainted into the new livery between October 1991 and March 1992.

Of the remaining locomotives, the first 15 (90001-015) were operated by InterCity West Coast on express passenger services. 90021-025 were operated by Railfreight Distribution, but remained as standard Class 90/0 locomotives to enable them to operate charter trains or be used on standard passenger trains. Due to the Class 91's initial unreliability, Railfreight Distribution leased some of their 90/0s to InterCity for use on the East Coast Main Line with Mark 4 coaches. These services were usually limited to London Kings Cross to Leeds/York services, due to their lower 110 mph (177 km/h) top speed.

Many Class 90 locomotives have received names. The passenger locomotives were named after cities, newspapers or famous institutions; many of the freight locomotives have been given names with a commercial link. The Class 90 was the first new locomotive to carry InterCity Swallow livery.

Current operators[]

Upon the privatisation of British Rail in 1996, the Class 90 fleet was divided between several operators:

DB Cargo UK[]

90018 in DB Schenker livery on a south bound freight at Euxton in October 2016

English Welsh & Scottish acquired the largest fleet: 20 locomotives from Railfreight Distribution and five from Rail Express Systems.

DB Cargo UK Class 90s were planned to be hired to Grand Central to haul Mark 4 carriages on its London Euston to Blackpool North services; however, these services were permanently abandoned on 10 September 2020.^[7]

Freightliner[]

Freightliner inherited 10 Class 90/1 locos, numbered 90041-50 and all leased from Porterbrook. These have since been returned to their original Class 90/0 configuration. Freightliner additionally acquired 90016 which was provided by EWS as a replacement for 90050, which was withdrawn in 2004 following fire damage while on lease to EWS. 90050, which is stored at Crewe Basford Hall, is used as a donor vehicle for spare parts for its other Class 90 locomotives.^{[citation needed]}

During 2019, Freightliner purchased 13 Class 90 locomotives from Porterbrook Leasing formerly operated by Greater Anglia. Upon transfer of the fleet in May 2020, the locos underwent a modification programme to match the freight Class 90 specification. ^[8] Upon completion of these modifications, the class is expected to replace Freightliner's Class 86 locomotives, which date back to the mid-1960s. In July 2020, 90014 was painted by Toton TMD and given the name Over the Rainbow.^{[citation needed]}

Locomotive Services[]

Following withdrawal by Greater Anglia in 2020, 90001 and 90002 were acquired by Locomotive Services to operate their excursion trains alongside their Class 86 and Class 87. Their use varies between working electrically operated excursions along the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow, using an identically painted set of coaches or working part of a tour which would be operated by modern traction before being worked by a steam locomotive. After purchase by Locomotive Services, the two locomotives were repainted into their original InterCity Swallow livery; 90001 was named Royal Scot and 90002 Wolf of Badenoch.^[9]

Former operators[]

Caledonian Sleeper[]

90021 in First ScotRail livery at Edinburgh Waverley in 2009

Virgin Trains contracted Class 87s were replaced by English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) Class 90s in March 1998.^[10][11] An agreement was reached in 2006 to paint a number of Class 90s into First ScotRail colours, for exclusive use hauling the Caledonian Sleeper. In 2015, with Serco taking over the Caledonian Sleeper franchise, the haulage contract went to GB Railfreight, who chose to use Class 92s on the West Coast Main Line. However, due to mechanical problems, a Class 90 locomotive was used; thus was initially hired by DB Cargo UK, but later changed to Freightliner.^[12][13][14] Operation ended in October 2019.

East Coast Main Line[]

In the late 1990s, GNER hired Class 90s to stand in for Class 91s on London Kings Cross and Leeds services. 90024 was repainted in GNER livery.^[15] In 2016, DB Cargo Class 90s were returned to the East Coast Main Line on Virgin Trains East Coast London to Newark North Gate, Leeds and Newcastle services, whilst the Class 91 locomotives were overhauled.^[16] These continued to be operated by London North Eastern Railway until 9 June 2019.^[17]

Greater Anglia[]

Greater Anglia 90012 at Liverpool Street in February 2020

As part of the National Express East Anglia franchise bid, National Express provided a fleet plan to replace the ageing Class 86 locomotives on the Great Eastern Main Line with the more powerful and newer Class 90 locomotives, hoping this would improve performance and reduce operating cost. The Class 90s were to become available due to Virgin Trains' plan to replace all loco hauled passenger trains with Class 390 Pendolino units, freeing up their 15 class 90 locomotives. 90001 - 90015 were progressively delivered to Crown Point TMD to replace the Class 86s. These locomotives had their original louvered horn covers replaced with a single plate design with V-patterned holes, matching the Mark 3 DVTs.

The National Express franchise came to an end in February 2012, with the replacement franchisee Greater Anglia taking over and continuing to operate the locomotive.

In January 2020, the Class 745 FLIRT sets began entering service to replace the Class 90 sets.^[18] Following the introduction of these units, the loco-hauled sets have all been withdrawn from service, with the last set running its last services on 24 March 2020.^[19] Thirteen moved to Freightliner to replace the class 86s, while the other two went to Locomotive Services.^[8]

Virgin Trains[]

Virgin Trains inherited 15 locomotives at privatisation, 90001-015, to work passenger trains on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). They were based at Willesden depot in London for services from London Euston to Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston and Glasgow Central.^{[citation needed]}

90002 Mission: Impossible at Stockport in 2002

In 1998, 90002 became the first locomotive to be repainted in Virgin Trains' red and black livery. It was named Mission: Impossible to launch the challenge of upgrading passenger services on the WCML. The rest of the fleet was quickly repainted into the new livery.^{[citation needed]}

In 2002, Class 390 Pendolino electric multiple units started to enter service to replace locomotive-hauled trains on the WCML.^[20][21] The first locomotives to be replaced were the elderly Class 86/2s and some of the less reliable Class 87 locomotives. However, since the Class 90 fleet was relatively small and subsequently non-standard, it was decided to retain the larger Class 87 fleet in preference to the Class 90s. Therefore, from March 2004, Virgin started to return its Class 90 fleet to the ROSCO, allowing the locos to transfer to the new 'one' (later National Express East Anglia) franchise.

The final service operated by a Virgin-liveried Class 90 was on 27 August 2004, 90015 London Euston-Glasgow Central and return.^{[citation needed]}

Following the derailment and subsequent scrapping of 390033 at Grayrigg in 2007, Virgin Trains had the need for an additional set as a stop gap before another Pendolino set was built. As a result, Virgin used Class 90 locomotives hired from DB Schenker, and later Freightliner, along with a rake of Mark 3 coaching stock and a DVT. Nicknamed the Pretendolino, this received re-upholstered seating, power points, wi-fi and a full external re-paint at Wabtec, Doncaster in 2009.^[22][23] Virgin used this set with a Class 90 locomotive hired from Freightliner on a Euston to Crewe (via Birmingham) Friday relief service until December 2012 and also hired the train out as a charter train. It was sometimes used on London - Birmingham services in the event of a Pendolino shortage.

From the December 2013 timetable change, Virgin Trains used the Mark 3 set once again on London - Birmingham services on a Thursday and Friday only basis, Class 90s leased from Direct Rail Services, which were sub-leased from DB Schenker, were used once again. This set, and therefore the use of Class 90s, was retired from service on 25 October 2014 with a railtour the following day.^{[citation needed]}

Fleet[]

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Model railways[]

In 1988, Hornby Railways launched its first version of the BR Class 90 in OO gauge. Since 2017, Hornby have produced a basic representation of the prototype as part of their Railroad range in BR Intercity Swallow Livery, whilst past examples have carried a variety of liveries.^[24]

In June 2019, Bachmann launched a cutting edge modern OO gauge Class 90. This comes DCC sound-enabled, with a pantograph which can be operated from the controller in digital operation, along with directional lighting for various modes, whether it be double heading, dragging rolling stock or running light engine. It comes with cab lighting and DCC chips and sound chips are relatively simple to install. It was initially launched in three variants, Inter City Swallow, Railfreight Distribution and Freightliner Powerhaul. A collectors' club model was launched, at the start of January 2020, in sound-ready form in the Belgian promotional ‘Vrachtverbinding’ SNCB livery.

Gallery[]

• 

  90016 at London Liverpool Street in 2004, in Rail Express Systems livery.

• 

  90036 on loan to One from EWS at Liverpool Street in 2007.

• 

  90049 in original Freightliner grey livery at Ipswich in 2003

• 

  90015 "The International Brigade Spain 1936-1939" at Carlisle on 27 August 2004 on the final Class 90-hauled service for Virgin Trains until 2007.

• 

  90002 in One livery at London Liverpool Street.

• 

  90024 in GNER colours at London Liverpool Street.

• 

  90035 at Euston in EWS livery.

• 

  90011 in Abellio Greater Anglia livery at Stratford.

References[]

Citations[]

Sources[]

Further reading[]

• Derrick, Kevin (2014). Looking back at AC Electric Locomotives. Strathwood. ISBN 9781905276516. OCLC 931820979..
• "BREL wins Class 87/2 order". Rail Enthusiast. No. 54. EMAP National Publications. March 1986. p. 23. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965..

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 90.

• Class 90 at traintesting.com
• Class 90 Electric Loco Group