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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 4
Showing 500 of 5,615 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Cwmbargoed 2002. Military Exercise, movement of tanks.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Cwmbargoed Closes 30.11.23. One of the final departures.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Drivers eye view, with 66706 in 2001.. London - Cambridge out and return journey.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Derailment at Aberthaw 2003. Coal train jumps points, passing HSTs too.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 1999. So many 37s thrashing into Cardiff. Plus 33,37,47,50,60 and 66002
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
125 Heritage 48082 and 43073 Running at the Colne Valley Railway | DJI Mini 2 |
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 20 years ago. Forgotten liveries, top and tail 31/37/66s
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales; Cardiff, June 2023, with 50007 moving FLIRTS, 66304/776 engineers.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in Lancaster 20 years ago.. High sped freight, Virgin Pendolinos etc.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Flying Scotsman at Cardiff 2023/2017 and turn round on https://youtu.be/qOv1QuC1EJc
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales at Aberthaw 2001. Memories of 09/37/60/66 in busier times
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Midland Pullman, t/t 47s Railtour, Heavy Freight. March 2023.
The Railway Tavern 🍺
Preston Model Railway Exhibition 2023 - Video HIGHLIGHTS & Layout Build IMAGES 📸
swindon_rail enthusiast
Class 91's 91116 + 91118 + 91121 head to Newport Sims behind ROG 37510 @ Gloucester | 20/02/23
![[Train horns and Many Trains] Trains at Nuneaton 21/12/22](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/edypXMksu3o/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLC8QjX9r7_ba-LTOecetH17PfZK-g)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Stations at Caerphilly/Rhymney 2005, with 37425/410 Named and "Thrashing up the Valleys"
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. 2 Railtours. Deltic, full power, 55022 and "Cwm and Gone" 2008
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2008 Abercynon, Pontypool and 6 New Fastline 66s imported
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
"Railtour" 2000 Didcot to Eastleigh with 73108/73129/60004/08408 on the"Weaving Weasel"
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales at Cardiff/Newport. Logs, steel, containers, RTC, IEP and HSTs
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2001.Steam at Treherbert .76079. Line-side at Cardiff- Treherbert. Re-run.
swindon_rail enthusiast
69002 + Midland Pullman @ Eastleigh / Works | South West Rover day 4 | 26/08/22
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. 1999. "Splott Pilot". 37420/519 Thrashing to Machen & Tytherington
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 1999. "Splott Pilot" Open window views around Cardiff 24 years ago!
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in Doncaster, varying traction, liveries, freights and passenger services Aug.2022
