Freightliner's Class 90 locomotive 90040 has received a fresh coat of paint, new branding and the return of a familiar name.
On 30 October 2026, 90040 was officially named The Railway Mission at Freightliner's Crewe depot, becoming the first locomotive to carry the company's refreshed branding following its acquisition by CMA CGM earlier in the year.
For a locomotive that was sitting in storage with DB Cargo just a few years ago, things have certainly changed. But 90040 has a rather interesting history, including a previous identity, several operators and, perhaps surprisingly, the very same name it carries today.
The Early Years of 90040
90040 entered service in May 1990, having been built at British Rail Engineering Limited's Crewe Works.
It was one of 50 Class 90 electric locomotives constructed between 1987 and 1990, designed for both passenger and freight work on Britain's electrified railway network. With a maximum speed of 110 mph and a power output of 5,000 hp, the Class 90s became a familiar sight on the West Coast Main Line and across the wider electrified network.
Like many members of the class, 90040 has carried more than one number. During its British Rail career, it was renumbered 90140 as part of the Class 90/1 fleet, which was geared towards freight operations, before eventually returning to its original number.
Following privatisation, the locomotive became part of the EWS fleet, later passing to DB Schenker and DB Cargo.
Throughout these years, 90040 could be found working a variety of freight services, and fortunately, plenty of railway enthusiasts were out filming them.
One example is Class 90 AC Electric Passenger and Freight, a compilation of Class 90 workings featuring 90040 at approximately 12 minutes into the video.
Another interesting recording comes from 2017, when 90040 and 90018 were filmed passing Hampton-in-Arden on an empty coaching stock movement from Burton-on-Trent Wetmore Sidings to Wembley European Freight Operations Centre.
That particular pairing is worth remembering, because the same two locomotives would find themselves changing owners together seven years later.
DB Cargo Withdraws Its Class 90s
By July 2023, DB Cargo had withdrawn its remaining Class 90 locomotives from regular operations.
The locomotives had been a familiar part of the company's electric freight fleet for many years, but changing traffic requirements had left them without regular work.
90040 was among the locomotives stored at Crewe Electric Depot, and its future was uncertain.
Fortunately, that wasn't the end of its working career.
In April 2024, Freightliner purchased both 90040 and 90018 from DB Cargo, adding two more locomotives to its existing Class 90 fleet.
Their departure from DB Cargo was captured on video, with 90018 and 90040 leaving Crewe Electric Depot on 26 April 2024. The recording also features other railway movements around Crewe, including a rather rare outing for 90002.
At this stage, neither locomotive had received a full Freightliner repaint. Instead, 90040 retained its DB Cargo red livery, with Freightliner branding applied to identify its new owner.
It was an unusual combination, but one that didn't last forever.
Back to Work with Freightliner
Following its transfer, 90040 returned to the rails under Freightliner ownership.
On 15 November 2024, the locomotive was paired with 90045 for a test run from Crewe to Carlisle and back.
The pair were filmed passing Bamfurlong, near Wigan, with 90040 still wearing its former DB Cargo red livery and Freightliner stickers.
The working, running as 0Z90, provides an interesting look at the locomotive during the early stages of its new career.
By 2026, 90040 was back undertaking freight duties.
On 29 August 2026, for example, 90040 was filmed alongside 90043 at Bamfurlong, working the 4S52 Crewe Basford Hall to Coatbridge service.
Not bad for a locomotive that had been stored only a few years earlier.
A New Livery and an Old Name
October 2026 brought another change for 90040.
Following Freightliner's acquisition by shipping and logistics company CMA CGM, the company introduced refreshed branding, with 90040 selected as the first locomotive to carry the new appearance.
The locomotive emerged from repaint carrying the new Freightliner colours, replacing the DB Cargo red it had worn since before its change of ownership.
But the repaint wasn't the only interesting development.
On 30 October 2026, 90040 was officially named The Railway Mission during a ceremony at Freightliner's Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Crewe.
What's particularly interesting is that 90040 had carried this name before.
During its previous career, the locomotive was named The Railway Mission, although the nameplates were removed in 2015.
More than a decade later, the name has returned to the same locomotive.
The naming ceremony was attended by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State for Rail, alongside representatives of Freightliner and Railway Mission.
Founded in 1881, Railway Mission has spent 145 years providing pastoral care, practical assistance and emotional support to railway employees and their families.
As part of the ceremony, Freightliner also donated £1,000 to the charity in recognition of its work supporting railway people.
It's rather fitting that a locomotive which has spent more than 35 years working on Britain's railways should once again carry a name recognising the people who keep the industry running.
You can read Freightliner's official announcement for more details about the ceremony.
Following 90040 on Fishplate
One of the fascinating things about following individual locomotives is how much their appearance and duties can change over the years.
90040 has gone from British Rail to EWS, DB Cargo and now Freightliner. Along the way, it has changed numbers, liveries and names, and has been fortunate enough to return to service after a period in storage.
Thanks to railway enthusiasts recording its movements, we can look back at different stages of its career.
Fishplate brings together railway videos from across YouTube, identifying the locomotives, operators and headcodes featured in them. This makes it possible to find recordings of an individual locomotive without having to search through thousands of unrelated videos.
You can explore videos featuring 90040 on Fishplate, including footage from its DB Cargo and Freightliner careers.
Alternatively, take a look at the Class 90 fleet to find videos of other members of the class.
With its new livery and the return of The Railway Mission name, 90040 has started another chapter in its career. It'll be interesting to see where it turns up next.