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EWS
Last edited by
railwayadam
โข 5 months ago
EWS was the dominant freight force of the 1990s and 2000s, famous for introducing the Class 66 and transforming the UK's rail logistics under its iconic maroon and gold branding.
Founded
1996
Status
Historic (ended 2007)
Country
UK
Regions
ALL
Website
โ
Reference
โ
Operator Code
EW
Also known as:
North & South Railways, English Welsh & Scottish Railway, DB Schenker, DB Cargo UK (current)
English, Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) was the undisputed titan of the post-privatisation freight era, formed in 1996 after a consortium led by the American company Wisconsin Central purchased the majority of British Railโs freight sectors. At its peak, EWS controlled roughly 90% of the UKโs rail freight market, hauling everything from coal and steel to the prestigious Royal Mail "Mail by Rail" contracts. By streamlining operations and replacing the ageing, fragmented regional sectors of British Rail with a singular, aggressive corporate identity, EWS fundamentally reshaped the logistics of the UK network.
For enthusiasts, EWS is synonymous with the Class 66 "Shed." In 1998, the company placed a massive ยฃ350m order for 250 of these General Motors-built locomotives, a move that brought unprecedented reliability but also signalled the "cull" of beloved older types like the Class 31, 37, and 47. Beyond the 66s, the company introduced the high-speed Class 67 for mail and passenger work and managed a diverse fleet of "heritage" diesels in its early years, including the Class 56, 58, and 60. Their iconic maroon and gold livery, featuring the "Three Beasties" logo (representing the English lion, Welsh dragon, and Scottish stag), remains one of the most recognisable brands in modern railway history.
The companyโs influence extended into the passenger sector, as they frequently provided "Thunderbird" rescue locomotives for failing passenger trains and operated the Caledonian Sleeper and various charter services. However, the EWS era came to an end after it was acquired by the German state operator Deutsche Bahn in 2007. The brand was eventually retired in 2009 in favour of DB Schenker, which later became DB Cargo UK. Today, while the maroon and gold is slowly fading from the network, many Class 66s and 67s still carry the legacy of the "Big Red Machine" in their original paintwork.
For enthusiasts, EWS is synonymous with the Class 66 "Shed." In 1998, the company placed a massive ยฃ350m order for 250 of these General Motors-built locomotives, a move that brought unprecedented reliability but also signalled the "cull" of beloved older types like the Class 31, 37, and 47. Beyond the 66s, the company introduced the high-speed Class 67 for mail and passenger work and managed a diverse fleet of "heritage" diesels in its early years, including the Class 56, 58, and 60. Their iconic maroon and gold livery, featuring the "Three Beasties" logo (representing the English lion, Welsh dragon, and Scottish stag), remains one of the most recognisable brands in modern railway history.
The companyโs influence extended into the passenger sector, as they frequently provided "Thunderbird" rescue locomotives for failing passenger trains and operated the Caledonian Sleeper and various charter services. However, the EWS era came to an end after it was acquired by the German state operator Deutsche Bahn in 2007. The brand was eventually retired in 2009 in favour of DB Schenker, which later became DB Cargo UK. Today, while the maroon and gold is slowly fading from the network, many Class 66s and 67s still carry the legacy of the "Big Red Machine" in their original paintwork.
Videos featuring EWS
Showing 500 of 5,478 videos.
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
โDriver Jack Millsโ 66126 4L45 Wakefield Europort to Felixstowe North Dbc 11;39 Lea Road 18/8/2026
spompeytransportvideo
Railways around Birmingham Part 3 of 4 Tyseley Station (Birmingham) 28th July 2026
Trains Trains Trains
Ayrshire Coast vs. Other Scottish Railways: Here's Why #ayrshire #scotland #fyp
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Well worth the wait! โMaritime Intermodal 4โ 66051 6Z55 & 28 fuel tanker wagonsย 13;22 76L 28/7/2026
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Smoky! 66106 4L45 Wakefield Europort to Felixstowe North Dbc Lea Road 27/7/2026
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
๐บ๐บ๐บ๐๐ โWhitemoorโ 66730 4E20 Felixstowe South Gbrf to Doncaster Iport Gbrf 25/7/2026
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
A walkaround the miniature steam engines at Ackworth steam rally 18/7/2026
DestinationTrainsPlanes
PAIR of Chopper ENGINE STARTS as they Form a FOUR LOCO Convoy with 47077 & 31466
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Classic EWS colours on 66161 4E25 Biggleswade Plasmor to Heck Plasmor 17;04 Lea Road 1/7/2026
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Railtour Top/Tail 66113/166 into Barry Island 2015, plus update in 2021
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Tankers for storage 66106 6Z60 Immingham Sorting Sidings to Worksop Down Yard 11;32 17E 24/6/2026
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
โPowered by HVOโ 66077 6Z60 Immingham Sorting Sidings to Worksop Down Yard 11;45 Central 23/6/2026
DestinationTrainsPlanes
PAIR of GRIDS, HOOVER, CL31 & DELTIC Convoy - Plus HST Powercars & More at Toton!
Sheffield Transport Football SAM
Trains At SkeltonJn (York) & York With 5043+37240 On 12th June 2026
The Devon Trainspotter
Trains at Exeter St Davids including the Atlantic coast express and the Golden Hind
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic very Busy Morning at Carlisle Station Freight/passenger Trains 5th May 26 WCML
DestinationTrainsPlanes
REPAINTED 58023 Joins the Loco CONVOY under its OWN POWER at UKRL Loughborough Brush!
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in Wales 2006. "Fond memories" Llandeilo. Cynghordy, Pontypool etc.
DestinationTrainsPlanes
56302 REPAINTED in Gloss White Ahead of EXPORT to Africa - Plus other locos at Colwick TMD
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
"Blue Peter" 60532 in green livery. EWS 58024/037.July 1st 2000. Newport/Cardiff.
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Freight trains at Stafford Rugby Runcorn Tamworth 14/15th April 2026 WCML
Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
โResoucefulโ 66035 meets โMadge Elliot MBEโ 66528 Lea Road 22/4/2026
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy day at Rugby Station Freight/passenger/Test/Light Locos Trains 14th April 2026 WCML
Oscar The Trainspotter
Class 801 FAILURE causes ECML MAYHEM with over 200+ minute DELAYS! | 18/04/26
Trains & Freight Diaries
STEAM TRAIN, Takes Over York! 45407 Whitby Flyer Arrival, Departure & ECML Action
DestinationTrainsPlanes
New 2024 TUBE Stock Passing through Toton - With Scrap Line Class 60's rearranged!
DestinationTrainsPlanes
The REDS Turning BLUE! 66006 & 66024 are REPAINTED and Ready for EXPORT at Toton TMD..
swindon_rail enthusiast
DOUBLE HEADED Tractors! on The Welsh Chieftain draw the crowds at Newport & Cardiff 7.3.26
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Barrow Hill Roundhouse & Clay Cross Junction on 16th & 17th March 2014
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2014. Just a memory now ! "Tower Gateway" Railtour 66201/250
DestinationTrainsPlanes
REPAINTED 43025 & 43060 arrive at Toton for Tyre Turning in IC Swallow and GNER Liveries!
Leslie Gilpin Railways
Fantastic Evening Variety at Carlisle 37 Plus Brittanic Explorer pay a visit. 4 Feb 2026
Sheffield Transport Football SAM
DB 66124 At Sheffield From Attercliffe Sdgs Ews To Peak Forest Cemex Sdgs
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic freight Trains at Tamworth Lichfield Trent Valley Stafford Nuneaton January 20/21st 2026
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Late Afternoon At Stafford Station Freight/passenger/ light Loco trains January 20th 26
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Buriton (Petersfield) and Eastleigh (East Junction) on 5th December 2013
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Mount Pleasant Road Level Crossing (Southampton) on 28th November 2013
