Class 90 Loocmotive Fleet Operations

Current Fleet Situation As new there were 50 Class 90 locomotives, which were split between passenger and freight operations. Jumping forward to the present day (22/9/25), it is with regret to inform readers that the fleet size has now been reduced from 50 to 40 locomotives following the sale of 90017, 90022, 90023, 90025, 90027, 90030, 90031, 90032, 90033 and 90038 to scrap merchants in April 2024 and subsequently disposed off. The loss of 10 class 90s arose as a result of neglect and poor management by their owners and the reluctance to spend money on them when they were much younger and had little wrong with them at the time of being stored. See below for more details on which loco’s are left and who uses them.

Which Class 90s are currently out of traffic for maintenance? For the latest information regarding the status of the Class 90 fleet, please refer to the Fleet Summary section below on this webpage or by visiting the Daily Gen Reports or by going to the Fleet Status News section on the homepage.

Which Class 90s have been sold for scrap? In December 2023, DB Cargo decided to put up for sale 10 Class 90s (90017, 90022, 90023, 90025, 90027, 90030, 90031, 90032, 90033 and 90038), which had been in long-term storage at Crewe IEMD dating back as far as 2005. At the time of being stored, there was little wrong with these 10 loco’s sofaras they needed some work being done to them like wheelsets and mid-life overhauls, but the former EWS operator had run them into the ground and subsequently not prepared to spend money on them going forward. After putting the above DB Cargo loco’s up for sale, they were sent by road to Sandbach and Liverpool Docks for disposal in the Spring of 2024. On a separate note, 90018 and 90040 were also put up for sale at the same time following a spell of being in storage at Crewe IEMD. They subsequently transferred to Freightliner to start a new life. Aside from the DB Cargo 90s sold for scrap, 90050 was saved from being cut up following extensive fire damage in the early naughties resulting in the engine being stripped and stored. Today (8/2/26), the loco enjoys a new life at the Crewe Heritage Centre following cosmetic repairs during 2024. The loco is technically still owned by Freightliner though.

Which Class 90s are in short-term storage? At the time of writing, the following DB Class 90s were still in warm storage at Crewe IEMD: 90019, 90020, 90024, 90028, 90029, 90034, 90035, 90036, and 90037. The future of the above DB Cargo Class 90s is unclear (really hope they do not go the same way as the others i.e. being left to rot), Click here for more details on the stored fleet owned by DB Cargo.

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DB Cargo

Fleet Profile The DB Cargo fleet now comprises of 9 locomotives only (see below) ------------------------------------------------ Current Availability None. ------------------------------------------------ Current Short-term Stored (tactical) 90019, 90020, 90024, 90028, 90029, 90034, 90035, 90036, 90037. Former Long-term stored fleet 90017, 90022, 90023, 90025, 90027, 90030, 90031, 90032, 90033, 90038 (largely disposed off now). ---------------------------------------------------

Locomotive Services

Fleet Profile The LSL fleet consists of 3 class 90s, which are 90001, 90002 and 90026. ------------------------------------------------ Current Availability 90001, 90002, 90026 ------------------------------------------------ Stopped for maintenance ---------------------------------------------------

Freightliner

Fleet Profile Freightliner has 28 Class 90s which include 90003-90016, 90018, 90021, and 90039-90050. ------------------------------------------------ Current Availability 90003, 90004, 90005, 90006, 90008, 90010, 90012, 90013, 90014, 90021, 90039, 90040, 90041, 90043, 90044, 90045, 90046, 90047, 90048, 90049. ------------------------------------------------ Stopped for maintenance 90009, 90011, 90015, 90016, 90042. ---------------------------------------------------

Crewe Heritage Centre

Fleet Profile 90050 is on long-term loan from Freightliner to the Crewe Heritage Centre. ------------------------------------------------ Current Availability None. ------------------------------------------------ Stored Unserviceable 90050 (Crewe Heritage Centre) ---------------------------------------------------