First electric-hauled passenger service into Queen Street
A Freightliner Class 90 became the first AC electric locomotive to haul a passenger train into Glasgow Queen Street on April 2.
Hired by GB Railfreight, 90046 arrived with the 2139 London Euston-Glasgow Queen Street Caledonian Sleeper service. This was the first time a locomotivehauled passenger train had arrived at the station since Network Rail electrified it in 2016. Electric trains operated by ScotRail Class 380 electric multiple units began running to the station in December 2017.
To reach Glasgow, the ‘90’ also became the first AC electric locomotive to haul a passenger train on the recently electrified Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High route.
The Sleeper was diverted into Queen Street due to engineering work on the West Coast Main Line. This meant that both the ‘Lowlander’ and ‘Highland Sleeper’ trains ran via the East Coast Main Line.
The ‘90’ hauled the northbound ‘Lowlander’ from Wembley, where it had reversed and run via the North London Line to access the ECML. GBRf supplied 66749 for the trip between Euston and Wembley.
The ‘90’ arrived at its destination at 0745, some 27 minutes late. The empty coaching stock was taken to Polmadie by CS 73966, but this struggled to clear Cowlairs Bank and so the ‘90’ assisted.
The previous night’s plan to use 90047 on the 2154 Glasgow Queen Street-London Euston was foiled after it was blocked in at Polmadie by an engineering possession. GBRf 47749 was supplied instead, but failed in Cowlairs Tunnel and returned to the terminus.
After 73968 was sent to assist, both the ‘47’ and ‘73’ went forward at 0009, some 135 minutes late, giving way to GBRf 92043 for the trip to London.
That evening, 90046 also became the first electric locomotive to haul a passenger train from the terminus, when it took the 2154 to London Euston across the E&G line.