"A combination of two detail traits could identify main line locos repainted in EWS livery prior to autumn 1996..."
In the post British Rail privatised era, it was, without any doubt at all, the train operator with the highest enthusiast appeal. Over the course of its life, EWS employed locos from classes 08, 09, 20, 31, 33, 37, 47, 56, 58, 59, 60, 66, 67, 73, 86, 87, 90 and 92. Almost all in considerable number. And early on, the range of surviving liveries was vast, extending back through all the BR sectors you could think of, to the earliest Railfreight grey, large logo, and standard Rail Blue.
In this post I’m looking back at the earlier period of EWS, through the eyes of a Midland railway enthusiast…