Europhoenix Class 91 to aid 89001 return
TWO CLASS 91s belonging to spothire locomotive supplier Europhoenix have been moved from UK Rail Leasing’s Leicester depot to Barrow Hill in Derbyshire, with one destined to supply parts required for the reactivation of unique Class 89 AC electric locomotive 89001 Avocet, which is owned by the AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) and due to go on hire to Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL). Europhoenix owns 91117 and 91120, which were originally set to be exported for use in Hungary in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic created a turndown in traffic that meant the two locomotives were not moved abroad as planned. They have remained at Leicester for the past two years in a state of abeyance, although Europhoenix managing director Glenn Edwards is hopeful that one or both of the Class 91s will eventually be exported.
The pair will be stored at Barrow Hill pending developments on their future.
Mr Edwards, who is also heavily involved in the ACLG, told Railways Illustrated that he planned to remove some components from 91117 to aid the reactivation of 89001, but that all of the parts required were capable of being replaced if required. 91120 will remain complete in case the opportunity arises for it to be exported. It was announced in December that LSL would fund the outstanding works required to return 89001 to main line service, after which it will be operated by LSL for five years. The work required to recertify the Class 89 for main line use is largely being overseen by the ACLG at Barrow Hill, and it is currently unknown when it will be moved to LSL’S base at Crewe. Europhoenix is also working on the return to main line use of Mirrlees-engine fitted 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer. It had originally been hoped that the locomotive would be ready for service last autumn, but a number of unforeseen issues have had to be sorted.
Mr Edwards was hopeful that the Class 37 will return to the main line in the near future.