Factfile: Class 90
Conceived in the mid-1980s, originally as Class 87/2, this fleet of mixed traffic AC electric locomotives was assembled at Crewe Works from 1986-90. As the design proved to be so distinct from the Class 87s, British Rail eventually opted for the Class 90 designation.
The first ‘90’ entered service in 1988, followed by 49 other classmates over the following two years. Overshadowed somewhat by the Class 91s built concurrently for the ECML, the ‘90s’ proved to be efficient and versatile workhorses for the West Coast route, providing traction for a range of Intercity passenger, parcels and freight services during the later years of British Rail.
The raked-back ends made for a dramatic sight amidst the slab-fronted ‘86s’ and ‘87s’ on the WCML’S premier services, and most of the ‘90s’ were turned out in either the full ‘Swallow’ or slightly mundane ‘Mainline’ versions of the new Intercity livery, while the final 14 were rendered in the triple grey Railfreight Distribution sub-sector freight scheme.
A vast number of liveries have since been applied to the fleet over the years, depicting a variety of passenger and freight operators. Even during the latter days of BR, some interesting schemes were adopted, including renditions of DB, SNCF and SNCB liveries.
During the privatised era, over a dozen Class 90s worked for Virgin Trains before being displaced by the ‘Pendolino’ fleet and moving to East Anglia where they operated express services until relatively recently. As well as regular freight work, examples have operated passenger services on the ECML and hauled Caledonian Sleeper services over the past two decades. Today, all but a couple of examples are split between Freightliner and DB Cargo for use, predominantly, on freight services, although a good number have been in long-term store. Locomotive Services Ltd now owns 90001-2, which have been returned to original Intercity livery and the pair are used for charter work, while 90050 has long been a source for spares and is unlikely to work again.
completely free from the chassis. A pair of tiny slide switches is also fitted to the top of the PCB, allowing the directional lights to be isolated from each end if desired (for non-dcc users).
The coreless motor can be glimpsed below the PCB, complete with twin flywheels and brass worm gears transferring power to the bogie gear towers. Performance was smooth and quiet under test conditions, with ample haulage power on tap. The die-cast chassis aids adhesion and the sprung, pivoting coupler pockets are effective, keeping the size of gap between the locomotive and leading coach or wagon to a minimum.
Build quality is excellent, with crystal clear glazing and a first-rate paint finish. The metallic BR double arrow logos tend to disappear in certain lights (as is always the case with printed versions) and would benefit from etched replacements but, apart from that, it’s hard to find fault with this new Farish model.
With the real ‘90s’ having enjoyed a varied career thus far, it represents a useful subject for a model, and ‘N’ gauge modellers with modern-era layouts will certainly welcome its appearance, especially as it’s a real beauty! (GD)