91 023 nearing completion Crewe Works. July 1990.
91 023 is seen inside Crewe BREL Works nearing completion. The loco was taken into stock by BR on 18/9/90 two months later based at Bounds Green depot in London. For 10 years it was just one of the 31 strong fleet but on 17/10/2000 it was involved in the fatal accident at Hatfield while working the 12.10 Kings Cross to Leeds. The loco and leading two coaches stayed on the track but the rest of the train didn't. They say Lightning doesn't strike twice but it did for 91 023. While propelling the 04.45 Newcastle to Kings Cross on 28/2/2001 the train led by a Mk4 DVT hit a Land Rover and Trailer which had crashed off the M62 Motorway at Heck ending up on the track. The impact was at high speed and caused the whole train to derail except 91 023 on the rear. Almost simultaneously the wreckage was run into by 66 521 going the other way with an Immingham to Ferrybridge coal train. The damage to the class 66, the passenger train DVT and many coaches and wagons was massive causing most to be scrapped but 91 023 survived unscathed. When the media found out it was the same loco in both accidents the jinx or cursed engine stories started. The loco was falling due a major refurbishment as part of the class 91 upgrade for GNER so on 10/12/2001 it was sent to Doncaster Works where the chance was taken to officially renumber the engine. It should in theory have emerged as 91 123 but instead it was returned to service on 20/12/2001 numbered 91 132 leaving the number 91 123 unused in the refurbishment programme.
91 023 nearing completion Crewe Works. July 1990.
91 023 is seen inside Crewe BREL Works nearing completion. The loco was taken into stock by BR on 18/9/90 two months later based at Bounds Green depot in London. For 10 years it was just one of the 31 strong fleet but on 17/10/2000 it was involved in the fatal accident at Hatfield while working the 12.10 Kings Cross to Leeds. The loco and leading two coaches stayed on the track but the rest of the train didn't. They say Lightning doesn't strike twice but it did for 91 023. While propelling the 04.45 Newcastle to Kings Cross on 28/2/2001 the train led by a Mk4 DVT hit a Land Rover and Trailer which had crashed off the M62 Motorway at Heck ending up on the track. The impact was at high speed and caused the whole train to derail except 91 023 on the rear. Almost simultaneously the wreckage was run into by 66 521 going the other way with an Immingham to Ferrybridge coal train. The damage to the class 66, the passenger train DVT and many coaches and wagons was massive causing most to be scrapped but 91 023 survived unscathed. When the media found out it was the same loco in both accidents the jinx or cursed engine stories started. The loco was falling due a major refurbishment as part of the class 91 upgrade for GNER so on 10/12/2001 it was sent to Doncaster Works where the chance was taken to officially renumber the engine. It should in theory have emerged as 91 123 but instead it was returned to service on 20/12/2001 numbered 91 132 leaving the number 91 123 unused in the refurbishment programme.