Factfile: Class 92

The Class 92 was built primarily for Channel Tunnel passenger and freight traffic and was assembled at Brush’s Loughborough works between 1993-96. Equipped with dual voltage apparatus, they could draw power from either the overhead 25kv AC supply or the 750V DC third-rail system of the former Southern Region.

Sharing the same basic bodyshell and bogies as a Class 60, ownership of the 46-strong fleet was split between British Rail’s Railfreight Distribution sector, France’s state railway (SNCF) and European Passenger Services (EPS). To allow them to operate on both sides of the Channel – and within the tunnel itself – the locomotives featured an ambitious technical specification, although this has led to various reliability issues over the years.

At the time, there was an intention to introduce regional ‘Nightstar’ overnight services from various UK cities to Continental destinations, with new coaching stock also put into production. Hence why the ‘92s’ were created as a true mixed traffic locomotive, with a top

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speed of 90mph and a full suite of electric train heating and power equipment. Alas, the Nightstar plan was doomed to failure and, in addition to forecast freight traffic levels not being realised, the expensive Class 92 fleet found itself chronically underutilised.

BR’S fleet of ‘92s’ eventually passed into EWS’ hands following privatisation, followed by 2

DB, and they were employed predominantly on long-range WCML freight traffic. Over the years, many examples have been stored for long periods and some have been stripped for parts. DB has also exported a number of locomotives to Bulgaria for use across Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, the EPS and SNCF locomotives were eventually sold to Europorte, leading to a number being refurbished and employed by Europorte subsidiary, GBRF. Indeed, GBRF has provided the power for the Caledonian Sleeper service since 2015, leading to a fleet of revamped ‘92s’ receiving the stylish teal livery and CS logos.

multiple working and brake hoses pre-fitted, along with the obstacle deflector plates, while the other end has a standard coupler installed to the bogie frame. The small bag of extra details provides another NEM Rapido coupler, plus a second obstacle deflector and a bunch of bufferbeam hoses.

Also included is a set of spare tyres, as one wheel per bogie is fitted with a rubber traction aid. Performance proved to be in keeping with the overall quality of the ‘92’. Despite the CS blue version being a little noisy straight from the box, a running-in period was all that was needed to get both samples to settle down and perform smoothly and reliably. Peering inside, after removing the bodyshell, revealed the Next18 decoder socket and a pre-installed speaker atop the chassis block. A switch beneath the locomotive allows the tail lights to be switched off, while further lighting options are available to DCC users.

A BRILLIANT BRUSH

This is a very attractive and necessary addition to the

‘N’ gauge market and one that has been welcomed by the many modellers who crowdfunded the project from the beginning. Aside from the minor flaws mentioned earlier, the overall level of detail and finish is excellent and the Class 92 will look stunning at work on a modern layout, with plenty of suitable RTR freight stock available to complement it. Furthermore, Revolution Trains’ forthcoming Mk 5 sleeper stock will open up even more opportunities. Great stuff! (GD)

GEORGE DENT 1: Europorte/gbrf has provided traction for the London-edinburgh/ Glasgow sleeper services since 2015, with a small fleet of Class 92s being refurbished and repainted into the fetching Caledonian Sleeper teal livery, as modelled by 92010 at Edinburgh Waverley, March 2019. 2: When they first emerged in the 1990s, the Class 92s really did look state-of-the-art. Each was adorned with cast Crewe Electric depot plaques and named after famous UK and European writers, artists and composers, with the names applied with vinyls, rather than cast nameplates. Brand new 92016 Brahms is seen at Crewe Depot open day in the summer of 1994. COLOUR RAIL