HIGH operating costs and forthcoming major disruption at Carstairs Junction caused by infrastructure upgrades are both likely factors in DB Cargo’s decision to reduce its Class 90 fleet to six active locomotives.
Nos. 90019/020/024/029/034/036 were all moved to the WQAA stored pool during February, with many having not worked since late last year.
These six electric locomotives are stored at Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot (IEMD) where they join long-term residents Nos. 90017/022/023/025/027/030-033/038 (stored between 2004 and 2007) and 90018/040 (stored in 2019 and 2020 respectively).
Also expected to be sidelined soon are Nos. 90035/037, which will leave an active fleet comprised of just four locomotives, Nos. 90021/026/028/037. However, just as the month ended, still stored No. 90034 was sent out on a Crewe-Wembley light locomotive move.
The stopping of so many ‘90s’ may have contributed to the decision to upgrade Class 92s for a return to West Coast Main Line operation (RE322), allowing them to make their own way from Wembley to Crewe without being dragged. No. 92011 Handel was the first to receive the ability to isolate its ICMU (Interference Currents Modulation Unit) and DLF (Detection of Low Frequencies) equipment. It has been joined by Yiwu-London branded No. 92015, which moved to Crewe. After a proving run from Crewe IEMD to the nearby station on February 14, it returned to HS1 operations the following day, having been taken south by behind No. 90035 to Wembley.
