It was good to see relatively recently reinstated 90018 and 90015 on 4L49 liners on April 24th 2025. Still carrying DB red livery with Freightliner branding after a good year plus out of service after DB stood down their then 12 strong operational fleet putting them up for sale in Dec 2023. 90018 then recvd a Freightliner grey 60 years retro livery to coincide with the “Greatest Gathering” in Aug 2025 so her individuality continues
Looking good at sun up 90018 and 90045 head South on 4L89 “Up Scotch” liners at Linslade allotments on a frosty November 20th 2025
90018 was built at BREL Crewe and was on initial tests in Dec 1988. Emerging in Inter City white livery this loco put in several years classic WCML passenger, sleeper and mail turns.
I scratched her on August 24th 1989 bashing the still “shiny Skoda” from Crewe to Watford Jn on the 1436 Carlisle – Euston. A Watford bail saw me rake in 85023 on the 1853 Euston – Northampton “Cobbler”, happy days.
By 1992 stricter sectorisation saw the now GPO red liveried 90018 working mainly parcels/mail services on the ECML, with occasional forays to Kings X – Leeds services and WCML sleeper turns. By 2004 she was regularly hired out to Anglia for Liverpool St -Norwich turns.
Sample 90018 turns down the years
1436 Carlisle – Euston 240889
1700 Newcastle – Kings X 020393
Parcels red 90018 removes a failed 87006 on the 1930 Euston – Manchester with 87021 working forward on August 10th 1995
2020 (12/4) Inverness – Euston (ex Edin) 130498
90018 crosses from the down slow to down fast at the old Ledburn Jn with a late afternoon Euston – Manchester service on April 12th 2003
90018 leaves Manningtree propelling the 0930 Liverpool St – Norwich on February 27th 2004
90018 at the blocks at Euston having arrived with 1M11 2350 ex Glasgow/Edinburgh on January 21st 2014
4M56 London Gateway -Crewe Freightliner service, worked Apsley – Bletchley after 70020 failed on 260614
90029 and 90018 pass Ledburn with the Wembley – Mossend leg of the Dollands Moor – Irvine China Clays on July 6th 2016
90018 dragging 90039 and 92042 round the curve at Old Linslade with 0A06 Crewe – Wembley light loco move on September 12th 2016
Marches and Moors Railtour, Euston – BS and Preston – Euston 101216
6M76 Mossend – Dollands Moor china clay empties (to Wembley with 90039) 161216
possibly the last 90 hauled China Clay as GBRf took over this flow from Jan 2017
90018 with the 1002 Euston – Manchester Chelsea footex approaches Leighton on April 16th 2017
90018 and 90040 pass Tamworth with 4M27 Mossend – Daventry on June 20th 2018
4M27 Mossend – Daventry modal 200618
0916 Leeds – Kings X 130818
90018 in retro 60 years of Freightliner livery represented the class 90 newly named “The Greatest Gathering” at Derby Works on August 1 – 3rd 2025 .
90015 and 90018 (still in DB red) pass Linslade allotments with 4L49 up liners on April 24th 2025
Now Retro liveried 90018 celebrating 60 years of Freightliner, 90018 is stabled on Wembley HS with 90044 and 66501 on October 25th 2018
In nice soft morning sun 90018 and 90045 pass Linslade allotments with 4L89 “Up Scotch” liners on a frosty November 20th 2025
Hopefully a good few years left in 90018 yet!
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