ECML traction

The Class 800 Azumas will enter traffic next year, initially replacing the High Speed Trains before also allowing Virgin Trains East Coast to retire its fleet of Class 91/ Mk 4 sets, although there is the possibility that a small number of sets may be retained in the long term.

The ‘91/Mk 4s’ were introduced from 1989 onwards, running the full length of the East Coast Main Line from 1991. They replaced HSTs (introduced from 1978), which in turn had replaced the Deltics (introduced in 1961 with the last Deltic-hauled ECML service trains in 1981).

A3 steam locomotives were a mixture of brand new locomotives and those converted from A1s. They were withdrawn from the late 1950s onwards. The last year of ECML steam was 1962.