Final GBRf rebuilt Class 92 delivered for Sleeper service

The final GB Railfreight Class 92 to be overhauled for the Caledonian Sleeper franchise (92014) was released from Wabtec Rail’s Brush Traction Loughborough facility on April 21.

The locomotive was taken to Crewe by GBRf 66720. It has been rebuilt, having been out of traffic since April 2006.

The Class 92 follows 92018/023/033 in being overhauled for GBRf, although by April 22 only 92018/033 had hauled trains, with 92023 on test.

GBRf has also supplied 92038/044 for Serco Caledonian Sleeper trains since the start of the franchise on March 31, although 92038 failed on April 14 and requires repairs at Loughborough.

This has led to 87002 Royal Sovereign being pressed into service, with the 41-year-old electric locomotive hauling Sleeper trains between London Euston and Edinburgh from April 15. The ‘87’, along with 86101 Sir William A Stanier FRS, is hired by GBRf from Electric Traction Limited for empty stock moves between Euston and Wembley.

• For more on this story see RAIL 774, published on May 13.