Class 90 Profile and Models
90001 at Stafford in July 2000. ©Steve Jones
The British Rail Class 90 electric locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Crewe Works in 1987-1990, weighing 84.5 tonnes and with a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h). They operate from 25 kV AC overhead lines and produce 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). The class is employed on express passenger and heavy freight trains. Fifty were built in the late 1980s, numbered 90001-050. They were developed from the Class 87, with many improvements and new features, and were initially classified as the Class 87/2 prior to introduction. However, due to many visual and technical differences, they were reclassified. The Class 90s were primarily built to replace the ageing Class 81s, Class 82s, Class 83s, Class 84s, Class 85s and the Class 86s, dating from the early 1960s, which were prone to having faults as well as a fire risk. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Electric |
Builder |
British Rail Engineering Ltd, Crewe Works |
Build Date |
1987 - 1990 |
Total Built |
50 |
Power Output |
5,000 hp |
Tractive Effort |
58,000 lbf |
Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
Operated By |
British Rail DB Cargo UK Freightliner Greater Anglia Virgin Trains EWS First ScotRail ONE GNER & more |
Main Duties |
Mixed traffic - mainly express passenger and heavy freight |
In Service Until |
Present |
Surviving Examples |
50 |
Products awaiting categorisation
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Hornby | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Unpowered |
R593-90034 View |
Class 90 034 in unbranded Intercity grey | Awaiting Categorisation |