British Rail Class 90

British Rail Class 90

Abellio Greater Anglia Class 90 No. 90012 and train are seen at London Liverpool Street.

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works Build date 1987–1990 Total produced 50

Specifications Configuration Bo-Bo AAR wheel arr. B-B UIC class 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) Minimum curve 80 m (4 chains) Wheelbase 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)  • Bogie 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) Pivot centres 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m) Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m) Width 9 ft (2.7 m) Height: ​  • Pantograph 13 ft 0 1⁄4 in (3.969 m) Loco weight 84.5 tonnes (83.2 long tons; 93.1 short tons) Electric system(s) 25 kV AC Catenary Current collection Brecknell Willis HS Pantograph Traction motors 1,250 hp (930 kW) 4 × GEC 412 BZ 4 × GEC G-412CY Gear ratio 32:73 MU working TDM system Train heating Electric Train Heating index: 95 Loco brake Air, Rheostatic Train brakes Air

Performance figures Maximum speed 110 mph (180 km/h) Power output: ​  • Continuous 5,000 hp (3,730 kW) Tractive effort 58,000 lbf (258 kN) Loco brakeforce 40 tons

Career Operators British Rail DB Cargo UK Freightliner Greater Anglia Numbers 90001–90050 Axle load class Route availability 7

The British Rail Class 90 electric locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited at Crewe Works in 1987-1990, weighing 84.5 tonnes and with a top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h). They operate from 25 kV AC overhead lines and produce 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). The class is employed on express passenger and heavy freight trains. Their main passenger roles for Greater Anglia are Intercity services between London to Norwich, sometimes they are used as thunderbird locos (usually at Colchester) and stock moves from Norwich Crown Point and Illford Depot. Freight operations are with DB Cargo UK and Freightliner on a mixture of roles mainly on the West Coast and the Great Eastern Main Lines.

Fifty were built in the late 1980s, numbered 90001-050. They were developed from the Class 87, with many improvements and new features, and were initially classified as the Class 87/2 prior to introduction. However, due to many visual and technical differences, they were reclassified. The Class 90s were primarily built to replace the ageing Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 dating from the early 1960s, which were prone to fire damage.

The class is fitted with rheostatic brakes in addition to standard Westinghouse air brake equipment. A Time-Division Multiplexer (TDM) is fitted to enable two or more locomotives to work in multiple. It also allows a Class 90 to work a push-pull passenger train with a Driving Van Trailer (DVT), DBSO or Propelling Control Vehicle.