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Articles & Publications

Welcome to the class 90 article page. You will find below a handful of articles that relate to the class 90 fleet of locomotives. These are based on significant events that have occurred in days gone by as well as technical data and periodic reviews.

As the site has developed into what you see today, I have only been able to add a small handful of articles to date. But it is envisaged that this trend will change in the coming months as time is found to write more things concerning the 90s like review of 2009. If you like to write one yourself, and see it published on the site, please email me.

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An article has been compiled below to celebrate the class 90s entering their 22nd year of passenger operations. The key highlights include:

• Video footage of a number 90s working freight & passenger services
• Summary of those known 90s moving at midnight on their 22nd anniversary
• A quick snapshot of what happened on the day  
• Sample of photos taken of 90s on the 12th July
• Video footage of 90049 on its last service in grey prior to being painted

Users of the site can download the article here. If you would like more information on how class 90s work or maybe you would like to write an article for the site yourself, then get in touch by email

Class 90s 22nd Anniversary - 12th July 2010     

On the 8th of March, TRE (UK) published a 12-page article on the “Class 90s over the years” in partnership with myself (the site owner). The article looks back at the history of the mixed traffic locomotives, with particular emphasis being on:

• Operating Characteristics
• Livery variations and allocation
• Privatisation post-1993
• Sleeper duties & Rare Workings
• Current workings & the future

To subscribe to ‘Today’s Railways’, please contact Platform 5 on 0114-255-8000 for back issues including the class 90 article of April 2010. If you like to make a contribution to the magazine, initial enquiries should be directed to Robert@platform5.com

On Sunday 12th July 2009, the class 90 locomotive entered its 21st year of passenger operations - the first 90 to work a passenger service was 90003 on July 12th 1998. The day was celebrated by a select number of people over on the GEML as this was the only place 90s were operating (other than on the sleepers). An article highlighting the days events can be downloaded here. The publication details:

• All those 90s that turned a wheel on the day in question;
• Known locations of the class 90 fleet and;
• Which engines worked a passenger train.

If you like more information, please contact us by email. In addition, the next milestone in the history of the BR class 90 locomotive takes place on Monday 12th July 2010 when this fleet of engines shall enter their 22nd year of operations.

The pictures displayed above were taken on the 90s 21st Birthday.

Class 90s 21st Anniversary - 12th July 2009  

“Class 90 over the years”  - Today’s Railways (UK) 100th edition, April 2010.

Virgin Trains (WB64) v Cargo-D Set (WB65) July & August 2009    

The Virgin Trains liveried MK3 set (known as WB64) finished operations with the TOC on Friday 12th December 2008 after working the 19:00 BNS-EUS (1G21).

Thereafter, the stock went to Doncaster Works for overhaul only to be outshopped in Silver Virgin Trains livery and it re-entered traffic on July 25th 2009 with 90028 providing the traction working the 17:43 EUS-BNS (1G36).

At the time WB64 re-entered traffic in July 2009, the other MK3 set (known as WB65) hired in from Cargo-D to Virgin Trains went back to the leasing company. There was however a small changeover period when both MK3 sets were used by Virgin Trains.

An article has been piece together highlighting what went on during the changeover period.

Click here to download file   

On Sunday 10th May 2009 and Sunday 9th May 2010, Whitley Bay F.C. Were fortunate to have gained a place in the FA Vase Final at Wembley two years on the trot (and on both occasions won). The special days in 2009 and 2010 involved running a footex  charter from Newcastle Central to London Kings Cross using class 90s and the Cargo-D stock.  An article has been written by the owner of CNELG to celebrate the two FA Vase Final footex’s and includes:

• All those class 90s used for both trips
• Origin and destinations plus logistics;
• Any relevant diversions and empty stock movements and;
• Dates when the trains ran including headcodes etc.

Users of the site can download the article here. If you would like more information about the two football specials or maybe you would like to write an article for the site, then get in touch by email

Whitley Bay Footex Specials - May 2009 & May 2010   

An article has kindly been written by one of the CNELG members who is a traction and rolling stock specialist particularly on the electrical side as well as dabbling in railway preservation. The article has been written to in simple terms the basic mechanics of a class 90 locomotive and its interaction with British rolling stock design. Notable areas that have been covered include:

• The TDM system and how it interacts with the rolling stock;
• The general mechanics of a class 90 loco in control terms;
• Relationship between a 90 and earlier electric locomotives and;
• Braking systems combined with speed settings and driving a 90.

Users of the site can download the article here. If you would like more information on how class 90s work or maybe you would like to write an article for the site yourself, then get in touch by email

How does a Class 90 Locomotive Work?     

An article has been compiled below to celebrate the naming of 90013 at Ipswich on July 23rd 2010. The key highlights include:

• Video footage of 90013 actually being named by the Major of Ipswich & local MP
• Video footage of 90013 arriving & departing Ipswich pre & post-naming ceremony
• A quick snapshot of what happened on the day including the new name
• Detail on the 90s first passenger working after being named etc
• General public cab visits at Ipswich station after naming

Users of the site can download the article here. If you would like more information on how class 90s work or maybe you would like to write an article for the site yourself, then get in touch by email

90013 is named ‘The Evening Star’ at Ipswich 230710