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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 6
Showing 500 of 5,615 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 1999, Spinning Spectre, on board, with 37, 47, 56, 58, 60 and 66
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Dockside at Newport. First GBRf 66s from the USA."The Hoosier State", class 66752
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Trains at Magor, Hereford, Bristol, Paignton, Newton Abbot and Exeter in 2002
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 2002. 4 x 37s on Festive Freighter. Yate-Avonmouth and Portbury
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Loco hauled in the'90s. Bangor, Cardiff, Chester, Llandudno, Newport etc
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
47842 "Bristol Herons on Tour" 2004.at Aberthaw Cement Works, Power Stn
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2000. EWS/Freightliner 66s unloaded at Newport Docks from Canada
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
2003 Doncaster Plant 150 tour. Mallard, Stirling Single, Scotsman, Union of South Africa etc
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
18th March 2000 Thrashing 37s, t/t 47s,Heavy Freight.Cardiff at it busiest
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Margam Depot/Yard and Rugby International Specials 2004
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
G.M.Gyrator 59103/201/206. Jan 1997.On board window views, Newport-Knottingley
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales Railtour. "Tower Gateway Tour" Cwmbargoed,Caerphilly,Aberdare,Taffs Well.
