OLIVER SMITHSON
TWO unusual workings have led to Class 90s being seen away from electrified lines.
On January 7, Freightliner Nos. 66587 and 66546 top-andtailed Class 90 Nos. 90048, 90012 and 90016 on their return to Crewe Basford Hall depot after tyre turning at Freightliner’s Leeds Midland Road depot.The working was via the Calder Valley and Copy Pit route, re-joining the West Coast Main Line at Farington Jct. The ensemble is seen at Portsmouth on the climb to Rose Grove.
Then on January 12, No. 66597 Viridor was used to haul Nos. 90045 and 90009 dead-in-tow in the consist of the 08.01 Felixstowe North to Crewe Basford Hall container train, saving train paths on other routes. The view is of the working passing Asfordby near Melton Mowbray.