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EWS
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 7 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
—
Reference
—
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 Rail’s freight sectors. At its peak, EWS controlled roughly 90% of the UK’s 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 £350m 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 company’s 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 £350m 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 company’s 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.
EWS train videos - page 3
Showing 500 of 5,615 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. "It was 20 years ago today" 8 x New 66s, Rugby Specials etc.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 20 years ago. International Rugby. 6 x 67s and much more
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Feb 2001. Loco hauled. 33,37,47,60,66,67 & HST. Video No.1303.
swindon_rail enthusiast
Frome Model Railway Exhibition 2025 | featuring Carlyon Dock 00 gauge layout with a few visitors
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Latest developments, new stations, FLIRTS at Aberdare etc.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 2001. Window view all the way.56,57,58,59,60 haulage "Tone Bone"
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1997 (Vol 01) (April May 1997)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. 59204, 60037, 56059, 37411 inside Aberthaw Power Station open day 1997.
swindon_rail enthusiast
20007 + 20205 on Bristol Barton Hill to Kidderminster S.V.R passing Yate | 21/06/24
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Locations along The West Highland Line (Scotland) during May 1996
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2008. Stone from Hirwaun, via Aberdare, with Freightliner
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Mainline Steam in Wales. Blue Peter, Nunney Castle, Princess Elizabeth, Leander and King Edward I.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour. "Spinning Haggis Railtour" 1999. Crossing the Tay and Fourth Bridges
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in 1999. "Northern Venturer" 20302 37612 37610. Crewe to Carlisle. Open window view.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails to Cwmbargoed, extended version, from Barry with 50031 D444 37796 37809
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in England. with 20/37/47/56/60/66/87/90/HST. Preston & Warrington 1999
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. "20 years ago today!" Multiple 37s, busy Valleys and freight
