Blue class 90 at Ilford

[superjohn]

I have just passed Ilford depot on the 1330 Liv St to Norwich. At the back of the depot there was a class 90 in a dark blue livery with no logos. The closest match I can think of is the class 360 original blue colour.
Any ideas which loco and what the story is?

 

[pdeaves]

This one, by any chance? (random pic off the internet, nothing to do with me).

 

[sprinterguy]

Certainly sounds like 90034 as noted above. It was repainted into DRS dark blue livery in March 2014 as part of a two year deal for DRS to provide traction for Virgin's 'Pretendolino' mark 3 rake. It was hired from DB Schenker and was debranded when it went back to them at the end of the deal:

https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/t...ig-blue-mean-machine-for-virgins-pretendolino
Direct Rail Services has unveiled a Class 90 locomotive in its distinctive dark blue livery.

90034 will be put to work as the dedicated locomotive for Virgin Train's Mk3 Pretendolino set.

Virgin signed a two year contract with DRS to provide a Class 90 locomotive for its Mk3 set in December last year. 90034 will be dedicated to the work and will be kept at Wembley depot where it will be attached to the Pretendolino.

90034 is owned by DBS and is hired by DRS, who are then providing it to Virgin. It will return to Crewe every 21 days for exam, but the plan is that it will go back to Wembley depot the same day.

Virgin uses its MK3 set for charter operations as well as the 19:03 London Euston-Birmingham and 2050 return services on Thursdays and Fridays. 90034 will gain Virgin logos before it is moved to Wembley depot later this month.

 

[Astro_Orbiter]

It's there with something to do with GA MK3 coach works or maintenance, like a test loco sort of thing.

 

[Panupreset]

Yes it’s 90034. Used to supply Mk3 coaches undergoing maintenance with an ETS supply.