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Description
The British Rail Class 92 is somewhat an odd one out in British railroading. When it was conceived in 1992, the class were specifically designed to run inter-european freight workings via the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain, and are even seen by Eurotunnel as an example of what type of locomotives companies may wish to get Channel Tunnel certification for.

The class 92 is dual voltage, it can work from both overhead lines and 750v DC third rail. The class was built by Brush Traction and ABB Traction, the latter of which is now part of Bombardier. Parts for the locos were sub-contracted, with only final assembly and commissioning being undertaken at the Brush works in Loughborough. The first locomotive was produced in 1992, and was completed in 1993, with the last example finished in 1996. The bodyshells were based in the similar looking Class 60 diesel locomotive, only with revised cab ends, and were fabricated by Bombardier Prorail and delivered pre-painted in the then standard triple grey BR railfreight livery. Propulsion is provided by two ABB traction motors utilising Gate Turn-Off Thyristors (GTOs) with control by an ABB MICAS-S2. Maximum power outputs depend on the current being used, under 25kv electric lines maximum power is 6760hp and on 750v third rail maximum power is 5360hp due to the massive difference in voltage. Top speed of the 92 is 87mph, making the class ideal for intermodal and/or heavy freight workings on electrified lines. Braking is provided by Westinghouse air brakes, rheostatic and regenerative brakes, and each loco is fitted with an electrical train bus to allow two locomotives to work in multiple, either by double heading or top and tailing (sandwiching) trains.

Pre delivery, two locomotives were extensively tested on the Velim railway test circuit near Kolin in the Czech Republic. 92001 and 92002 made this journey for testing, after which 92002 was moved to Vienna Arsenal for climatic testing, where the unit was subjected to temperatures of -25 degrees celcius. After entry into service the class operated under British Rail until BR was privatised, 92003 "Beethoven" hauling the 23:15 intermodal service from Dollands Moor to Wembley was the last ever train operated under BR. Post privatisation, the class was split between Eurostar UK, SNCF (who owned nine 92s from the start) and EWS. The EWS examples were all expected to be repainted into the companies standard red and gold livery, however only 92001 and 92031 received such a livery application, the rest had large EWS logos on either side on top of the original triple grey livery. It's now expected that this batch of the class will receive traffic red now EWS has become DB Schenker, but as yet only 3 locomotives out of DBS's entire fleet of locos have been painted into traffic red. Number 92036 "Bertolt Brecht" is seen awaiting further duties in the south bay at Warrington Bank Quay station on 17th March 2010.

Description
The British Rail Class 92 is somewhat an odd one out in British railroading. When it was conceived in 1992, the class were specifically designed to run inter-european freight workings via the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain, and are even seen by Eurotunnel as an example of what type of locomotives companies may wish to get Channel Tunnel certification for.

The class 92 is dual voltage, it can work from both overhead lines and 750v DC third rail. The class was built by Brush Traction and ABB Traction, the latter of which is now part of Bombardier. Parts for the locos were sub-contracted, with only final assembly and commissioning being undertaken at the Brush works in Loughborough. The first locomotive was produced in 1992, and was completed in 1993, with the last example finished in 1996. The bodyshells were based in the similar looking Class 60 diesel locomotive, only with revised cab ends, and were fabricated by Bombardier Prorail and delivered pre-painted in the then standard triple grey BR railfreight livery. Propulsion is provided by two ABB traction motors utilising Gate Turn-Off Thyristors (GTOs) with control by an ABB MICAS-S2. Maximum power outputs depend on the current being used, under 25kv electric lines maximum power is 6760hp and on 750v third rail maximum power is 5360hp due to the massive difference in voltage. Top speed of the 92 is 87mph, making the class ideal for intermodal and/or heavy freight workings on electrified lines. Braking is provided by Westinghouse air brakes, rheostatic and regenerative brakes, and each loco is fitted with an electrical train bus to allow two locomotives to work in multiple, either by double heading or top and tailing (sandwiching) trains.

Pre delivery, two locomotives were extensively tested on the Velim railway test circuit near Kolin in the Czech Republic. 92001 and 92002 made this journey for testing, after which 92002 was moved to Vienna Arsenal for climatic testing, where the unit was subjected to temperatures of -25 degrees celcius. After entry into service the class operated under British Rail until BR was privatised, 92003 "Beethoven" hauling the 23:15 intermodal service from Dollands Moor to Wembley was the last ever train operated under BR. Post privatisation, the class was split between Eurostar UK, SNCF (who owned nine 92s from the start) and EWS. The EWS examples were all expected to be repainted into the companies standard red and gold livery, however only 92001 and 92031 received such a livery application, the rest had large EWS logos on either side on top of the original triple grey livery. It's now expected that this batch of the class will receive traffic red now EWS has become DB Schenker, but as yet only 3 locomotives out of DBS's entire fleet of locos have been painted into traffic red. Number 92036 "Bertolt Brecht" is seen awaiting further duties in the south bay at Warrington Bank Quay station on 17th March 2010.