On the nights of 29-30 September and 30 September - 1 October 89001 worked a series of journeys between Crewe and Stafford. These journeys were the first in 25 years that the 89 had run under its own power on the national network and represent a huge step forward towards the goal of returning the locomotive mainline service.
Preparation of the locomotive for the test runs had involved an enourmous amount of work by both AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) volunteers and the team at Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) at Crewe. On top of the restoration, re-commissioning and testing work already undertaken the 89 was given a major examination and a considerable amount of other 'behind the scenes' activities were completed.
The test runs served two purposed; to familiarise the LSL crew with operating the 89 and to allow ACLG and LSL engineers to monitor the locomotive functions at greater speeds and distances than had been possible to date. The testing was sucessful in both of its objectives and will now permit further work to go ahead.