Standby Skoda
Whilst the old Mk3/Mk2 stock remains on the Caledonian Sleeper Highlander a standby engine is positioned at Edinburgh when possible. This is due to the Class 92s on the Lowlander having been switched to 1500V ETS for the Mk5s, so the "usual" option of using the Carstairs/Edinburgh portion engine to cover any issues with the 1M16 engine is temporarily unavailable.
GB Railfreight are continuing to hire-in three Class 90s from Freightliner, with two usually working the two Highlander trunk runs (1M16 and 1S25) and one being the standby at Waverley. Occasionally the standby needs to be brought back to Wembley to receive an A Exam from Freightliner fitters who visit the depot, with the current practice being to bring the loco back DIT on the rear of the 1M16 (and likewise return on the rear of 1S25).
90042 is the standby Skoda being taken to London on this occasion on the rear of 1M16 through a gloomy Winsford station. Leading the train out of shot as it switches onto the Up Slow just south of Winsford station is 90049.
Standby Skoda
Whilst the old Mk3/Mk2 stock remains on the Caledonian Sleeper Highlander a standby engine is positioned at Edinburgh when possible. This is due to the Class 92s on the Lowlander having been switched to 1500V ETS for the Mk5s, so the "usual" option of using the Carstairs/Edinburgh portion engine to cover any issues with the 1M16 engine is temporarily unavailable.
GB Railfreight are continuing to hire-in three Class 90s from Freightliner, with two usually working the two Highlander trunk runs (1M16 and 1S25) and one being the standby at Waverley. Occasionally the standby needs to be brought back to Wembley to receive an A Exam from Freightliner fitters who visit the depot, with the current practice being to bring the loco back DIT on the rear of the 1M16 (and likewise return on the rear of 1S25).
90042 is the standby Skoda being taken to London on this occasion on the rear of 1M16 through a gloomy Winsford station. Leading the train out of shot as it switches onto the Up Slow just south of Winsford station is 90049.