European Railroad Discussion > A pair of old Skodas

On Friday and Saturday Freightliner were giving a pair of their class 90s a good workout. I saw them on three trains on the West Coast Mainline in and around Rugeley.

On Friday afternoon at 15:26 90047 and 90004 sweeping round the reverse curves on the approach to Rugeley Trent Valley station on 4M63 Felixstowe to Trafford Park.

They returned, passing Rugeley at 19:18 on 4L96 Trafford Park to Felixstowe.

I suspect the power was changed at Crewe, with a 66 on the relatively short Crewe to Trafford Park and vv leg

On Saturday morning the pair were back through Rugeley just after breakfast at 09:00 on 4M45 Felixstowe to Garston.

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Nick - cool photos!  I thought Class 90s were built by BREL?  What's the Skoda connection?
Duncan

Skoda cars are now very good and reliable as part of the VW family, but there was a time prior to VW ownership when they were laughed at due to very poor quality and reliability. The class 90s were non-too reliable in their early days... hence the nickname!

exhaustED - thanks for clueing me in!

Duncan

;-)

To an American, these are right-sized freight trains.
Thanks for sharing.

Nice images!  Thanks for sharing.

texchief1