East Coast ‘89’

Some more information on the history of the Class 89 ( RAIL 847) and its use on the East Coast Main Line in the late 1980s.

89001 became the first electric locomotive to operate a passengercarrying train north of Peterborough, when it was used for a King’s Cross-Doncaster special in connection with the ‘ Mallard 50’ celebrations on July 3 1988. Then on August 12 1988 it was motive power for the first public electric train to Leeds when it worked 0820 from King’s Cross.

During the rest of 1988 it operated on some King’s Cross- Leeds trains in place of an HST, and from October 3 1988 it became regular motive power for the 0640 Grantham-King’s Cross. These trains were usually formed of a scratch set of HST Mk 3s and a DVT conversion power car to provide train supply, although on some occasions a Mk 1 generator coach was used in place of the HST power car.

The ‘89’ was also used on Intercity Special Trains workings between King’s Cross and Leeds in early 1989, although this use diminished as more Class 91s became available. Use on weekend King’s Cross-Leeds trains continued in early 1989.

In the summer of 1989, 89001 often worked the Fridays-only 1915 King’s Cross-Newcastle as far as Doncaster, from where it returned to London with the 1530 Hull-King’s Cross on the following Sunday.

Drivers whom I spoke to at the time were impressed with the locomotive. Some said they preferred it to a Class 91. Paul Clark, Grantham