In the late evenings and early mornings of 29/30 September and 30 September/1 October 2025, 89001 made a total of four return runs between Crewe and Stafford, these being the locomotive's first movements under her own power on the national network in over 25 years. These test runs, operated by Locomotive Services Ltd. and using their class 90 electric locomotive 90001 as backup, were part of the work involved in gaining approval for operation of the 89 on the UK main line.
A further pair of test runs was carried out with 89001 in the evening of 24 November 2025: 5Z89, 19:00 Crewe H.S. to Stafford and 5Z90 20:07 return. Also in the formation were Locomotive Services Ltd's 87002 (dead in the train as insurance) and their Driving Van Trailer (DVT) 82139. Tests carried out included the 89's Time Division Multiplex (TDM) system, with 82139 controlling the 89 between Crewe and Stafford.
A further pair of test runs was carried out with 89001 in the evening of 24 November 2025: 5Z89, 19:00 Crewe H.S. to Stafford and 5Z90 20:07 return. Also in the formation were Locomotive Services Ltd's 87002 (dead in the train as insurance) and their Driving Van Trailer (DVT) 82139. Tests carried out included the 89's Time Division Multiplex (TDM) system, with 82139 controlling the 89 between Crewe and Stafford.
Crewe
Stafford
Stafford
Stafford
Stafford
Crewe
Stafford
Stafford