The class 89 Built in 1986 Speed limit: 110 service speed, was planned to have 125 speed limit. Would run as a test train on west coast mainline 1980s and a back dated east coast mainline Liverys: GNER, intercity Executive and Swallow intercity What makes this train unique? It’s one of prototype built to replace the classes 81, 82, 83 and 85 but the class 90 come along before that happened. In 1988 the class 89 joined the class 90, 91 and 150 to Hamburg for a International Traffic and Transport Exhibition, later returning in the summer On the 3rd of July 1988 The class 89 hauled the Mallard 50th anniversary special from London King’s Cross It got named Avocet in 1989 in recognition of the RSPB It was saved for preservation at the Midland railway centre by a small group of Brush traction Some of technology from the 89 is still used for the class 92 Service time: 1986 to 2004 (was taken out of service a few times during this period) The class 89 has just finished a full overhaul in 2025 and has done some test runs to Crewe and Stafford In general it would be great to have such a interesting locomotive that marked change from British rail to privatisation and the fact we nearly lost it multiple times over the years.
