Class 90 'Skoda'

The British Rail Class 90 is a type of electric locomotive built for mixed-traffic duties, operating from 25 kV AC overhead lines and producing 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). It weighs 84.5 tonnes and can typically achieve a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).

The Class 90 is a modernised derivative of the preceding Class 87 locomotive, having been originally designated as the Class 87/2. During the 1980s, British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) had submitted an offer to build 25 examples to replace various ageing electric locomotives, including Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. It was selected over numerous rival proposals, including the InterCity 225 and the Class 89; the type was manufactured by BREL at Crewe Works between 1987 and 1990.