[UK] The end of hibernation: GB Railfreight’s 92 006 back in service

Written by on in - RAILCOLOR CLASSIC, Brush Traction (Wabtec), Brush Traction (Wabtec) Class 92

So far, at Railcolor News we have highlighted the activities of the British Class 92 electrics in Croatia, and Bulgaria. Back to the UK, two locomotives of the series were recently refurbished by GB Railfreight (GBRf). A couple of days ago they were both active on Caledonian Sleeper trains.

92 006

13 years and 5 months. This is the time 92 006 spent in storage until it re-entered regular service this July. Valued at EUR 2,15 million (!), the overhaul was carried out at Wabtec’s Brush Traction facility in Loughborough (UK). On the night of 07-08.08.2019, the locomotive made its debut on the Lowlander Caledonian Sleeper route.

Upgrades

GBRf states that the locomotive has been fitted with power upgrades, which improve its operation on the more intensive services of the Caledonian Sleeper. Its communication equipment has been also improved. Last but not least, the Class 92 has been fitted with special ‘Dellner couplings’, which provide additional safety measures. 92 006 also sports a new livery, the dark green of the Caledonian Sleeper:

Photo: GB Railfreight

“Our investment in the refurbishment of Class 92s for the new Caledonian Sleeper service means that customers will experience a reliable, state of the art, modern locomotive on their journey from London to Scotland. We are delighted with the work Wabtec has carried out on the 92006 and we look forward to continuing our partnership to meet the growing demands in the rail freight sector.” – John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf

Curious fact: According to GB Railfreight, the locomotive was originally outshopped in 1996. Only 10 years later, in 2006, it was placed into storage in France.

92 006 will be working the following trains:

  • Lowlander Caledonian Sleeper (Euston and Edinburgh and Glasgow),
  • Highlander Caledonian Sleeper (to Fort William, Aberdeen, and Inverness).

92 020

92 020 is yet another locomotive of the series which was recently refurbished for GBRf. It was officially reinstated in December 2018. It had spent ‘only’ 17 years and 8 months in storage.

In the Tweet below, GBRf shares that on the same night of 07-08.08.2018 this locomotive worked another Caledonian Sleeper service, the Up Lowlander one. Unlike 92 006, 92 020 is wearing the standard GBRf livery in yellow/blue.

Related posts:

[HR] DB Cargo 472 005 (British Rail Class 92) begins trials in Croatia [updated] [BG / Expert] Englishmen in Bulgaria: DB Cargo Class 88 (British Rail Class 92) – fleet overview [UK] Class 99: Beacon Rail orders dual-mode locomotives for GBRf [updated]