Graham Farish 8827

British Rail Class 90 90015 BBC North West British Rail InterCity Swallow

Contents

Tooling

The Graham Farish British Rail Class 90 in N gauge was first introduced in 1995, marking an important addition to the range of modern image AC electric locomotives. The prototype Class 90 entered service in 1987–1990 as a development of the Class 87, designed for mixed-traffic duties on the West Coast Main Line and beyond. The original Graham Farish tooling reflected the standards of the mid-1990s, offering a basic but serviceable representation of the locomotive for N gauge layouts.

At launch, the model was welcomed for filling a gap in modern electric traction for N gauge layouts. However, over time, reviewers noted limitations such as the lack of lighting, basic detailing, and absence of DCC provision. Enthusiasts often praised its running qualities and reliability but acknowledged that it fell behind newer standards as technology advanced.

Contemporary magazine reviews in the late 1990s described the model as a solid performer for its time. In later years, online forums and social media highlighted its historical significance while comparing it to the vastly improved 2022 retooling, which introduced features such as Next18 DCC sockets, lighting, and sound options.

The original Class 90 tooling remained in production for several years and was periodically updated with new liveries. It became a popular choice for modellers depicting the post-privatisation era, with versions in Freightliner and Virgin Trains schemes proving especially popular.

Detailing: Moulded body details, simplified roof equipment, and a fixed pantograph. Cab interiors were basic compared to modern standards.

The 1995 tooling was DCC incompatible. There was no decoder socket, and conversion required significant modification. This reflected the era before DCC became standard in British N gauge models.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 90015
  • Name: BBC North West

The British Rail Class 90 electric locomotive, built 1987-1990 at BREL Crewe, delivered 5,000 hp from 25kV AC overhead supply through sophisticated thyristor control. Fifty locomotives served BR InterCity, Virgin Trains, Greater Anglia, and freight operators across 37 years. Pioneer of Time-Division Multiplexing push-pull operations, the class worked West Coast and East Coast main lines at 110 mph with Mark 3 coaching stock. Over 35 liveries span InterCity Swallow through privatisation operators to contemporary Freightliner freight. Bachmann's 2019 OO gauge tooling features world-first servo-operated pantograph; Graham Farish offers excellent N gauge versions. Approximately 30 remain operational.

Operator & Livery

British Rail InterCity was the premium express passenger brand that operated from 1966 to 1997, transforming long-distance rail travel across Britain. Initially launched as a marketing brand for high-speed services, InterCity became an autonomous business sector in 1982 under the sectorisation programme, operating profitable express services from London to Scotland, Wales, the West Country, and extensive cross-country routes.

The brand pioneered revolutionary rolling stock including the iconic InterCity 125 HST (High Speed Train) from 1976, which achieved 125mph operations on existing infrastructure, and the electric InterCity 225 sets from 1989, capable of 140mph but limited to 125mph in service. InterCity also developed the ground-breaking Advanced Passenger Train (APT) with tilting technology that influenced modern high-speed trains worldwide.

Distinguished by its evolving livery schemes - from Rail Blue and Grey through the sophisticated Executive livery with dark grey upper bodies and red stripes - InterCity became synonymous with quality, speed, and reliability. All day services featured buffet cars and the majority operated at 100mph or above, making British Rail one of the world's most intensive high-speed operators.

The brand was divided among multiple operators during railway privatisation in the 1990s, but its technical innovations, operational excellence, and commercial principles continue influencing modern rail services. InterCity remains hugely popular with railway modellers, with extensive ranges of locomotives and coaching stock available in all major scales from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Heljan.