British Rail Class 90

British Rail Class 90
Freightliner Class 90 at Edinburgh Waverley in 2016
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works Build date 1987–1990 Total produced 50[1]
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 9+1⁄2 in (1.156 m)[2] Minimum curve 80 m (4 chains)[2] Wheelbase 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)[2] ​  • Bogie 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)[2] Pivot centres 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)[2] Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)[2] Width 9 ft (2.7 m)[2] Height: ​  • Pantograph 13 ft 0+1⁄4 in (3.969 m)[2] Loco weight 84.5 tonnes (83.2 long tons; 93.1 short tons)[1] Electric system/s 25 kV AC Catenary Current pickup(s) Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph[2] Traction motors 1,250 hp (930 kW) 4 × GEC 412 BZ[2] 4 × GEC G-412CY[1] Gear ratio 32:73[2] MU working TDM system Train heating Electric Train Heating index: 95[2] Loco brake Air, Rheostatic[2] Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 mph (177 km/h)[2] Power output: ​  • Continuous 5,000 hp (3,730 kW)[2] Tractive effort 58,000 lbf (258 kN) Brakeforce 40 tons[2]
Career Operators British Rail DB Cargo UK Freightliner Numbers 90001–90050 Nicknames Skoda[citation needed] Axle load class Route availability 7[2] Withdrawn 2004–present Disposition 25 in service, 25 stored

The British Rail Class 90 is a type of electric locomotive. They were built for mixed-traffic duties, operating from 25 kV AC overhead lines and producing 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). They weigh 84.5 tonnes and can typically achieve a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).^[3]

The Class 90 is a modernised derivative of the preceding Class 87 locomotive, having been originally designated as the Class 87/2. During the 1980s, British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) had submitted an offer to build 25 examples to replace various aging electric locomotives, including the Class 81, Class 82, Class 83, Class 84 and Class 85. It was selected over numerous rival proposals, including the InterCity 225 and the Class 89; the type was manufactured by BREL at Crewe Works between 1987 and 1990.

The Class 90 was introduced to service during the closing years of British Rail, being used for both passenger services and freight trains alike. Following the privatisation of British Rail, the type has served with various operators, including Greater Anglia, Virgin Trains and Great North Eastern Railway (GNER); it was, however, displaced largely from regular passenger services during the 2000s and 2010s. Currently, Class 90 locomotives are employed on heavy freight trains and occasional charter services.