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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 5
Showing 500 of 5,615 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways. 66501/02. 17-19 July 1999 Pengam Depot 1st container working within 2 days of arrival.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales.1999/2022. 66140 arrives from Canada 1999; July 2022, at Cwmbargoed
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways June 2002 including "Glastonbury", Military Moves, Stone at Tondu...
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales.24 years ago ay Cwmbargoed on Military exercise, Western Tour.
swindon_rail enthusiast
47805 + 47810 on the English Riveria Express passing through Westbury 11/06/22
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Guinness Book of Records UK Train Ride, 1387 miles in under 24 hours in 1984
swindon_rail enthusiast
ROG 37884 + BR 20007 + LT 20142 included and more @ Didcot Parkway / Swindon 14/02/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
IC 43049 + EMR 43047 HST's with Blue Pullmans head into Eastleigh Works 19/01/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
NR 43290 + 43299 Measurement Train (flying tomato) + freight mix @ Swindon 21/12/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Loco hauled in Ebbw Vale, Park Junction and Newport. 37197/038 & 58050
swindon_rail enthusiast
DB 67024 Belmond British Pullman: Bath At Christmas and more @ Westbury 03/12/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Steam Hauled. Mainline. Swansea-Cardiff .Almost grinding to a halt on the Red Dragon 2001
swindon_rail enthusiast
DRS 88, ROG 37, Climate 66 + TFW 197002 on test + much more all in a day @ Crewe 17/09/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
D1015 (52) Western Champion + 43106 steam + GBRf 50's @ Severn Valley Railway 10/09/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
67001/021/024 on Belmond British Pullman + movements @ Eastleigh Works 19/08/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
Pride, Royal Mail + Caledonian sleeper ft. in Trains and Tones @ Tamworth 17/08/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
GWR 769930 from Reading Traincare + variety + planes + balast shifting @ Eastleigh 28/07/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railfreight at Barry Docks 37/60/66, plus Railtour with 37408/197/66145
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Trains at Barry Docks.09003/ 37038/197/308/418 56027 66587 : 2001-2021
swindon_rail enthusiast
LSL 43046 & 43055 HST The Blue Pulman Cornish Charter + Much More @ Westbury 29/05/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
Freight & Passenger inc. rare Class 150 @ Gloucester & Severn Tunnel Juction 22/05/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
DRS 66122, DB 60020 + variety of passenger & freight workings @ Newport 15/05/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railway Rendezvous 1999. 66002 and 14 more, arrive from Canada at Newport Docks
swindon_rail enthusiast
Freightliner 66's on Containers through Swindon & the ghost of 66172 on 26/04/21
