DRAMA as 89001 Avocet Test Run is BLOCKED by Operation Stack on WCML! 18/3/26
Today we see the first official test run for the Badger otherwise known as 89001 'Avocet' up the West Coast Mainline, the first proper run its had in 25 years after some fantastic restoration work by the team at LSL.
Having left Crewe slightly late the test was running 1 minute early after Wigan when it was brought to a stop in a long queue of trains, we believe due to issues at Leyland following over head line problems yesterday. As you can see from the video multiple trains are queued up one after the other past us, all waiting for the colour light just south of Euxton Balshaw Lane Station.
Eventually everything got on the move and we see 89001 cruise past . We also see the return run of 89001 in the afternoon, this time at a slightly more appropriate line speed!
Location 1 - Crewe (Railcam)
Location 2 & 3 - Charnock.
5Z31 LS ECS Crewe Holding Sidings (09:29) to Tebay (12:24)
5Z32 LS ECS Tebay (13:24) to Crewe Holding Sidings (16:46)
Allocations :
89001 "Avocet"
86101 "Sir William A Stanier FRS"
11098 (Mk3B FO [LSL IC set])
10411 (Mk3B TSOB [LSL IC set])
11077 (Mk3B FO [LSL IC set])
11075 (Mk3B FO [LSL IC set])
11091 (Mk3B FO [LSL IC set])
10212 (Mk3A RFM [ERS])
82139 "My Lovely Horse" (DVT : Driving Van Trailer [LSL])
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All filmed on an iPhone ๐ธ + extra footage and track diagrams thanks to railcam (https://railcam.uk)
For more retro British Rail action see this video and playlist!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwoiTr6aMzs&list=PLxUf_eBrjUcFV6D2PoWArobt_Xv31K3bz&index=17
#britishrail #britishrailways #electriclocomotive #class89 #avocet #locomotiveservices #intercity #trainspotting #testrun
A test run for locomotive 89001 'Avocet' on the West Coast Mainline was delayed by a queue of trains near Euxton Balshaw Lane, likely due to overhead line issues at Leyland. The locomotive, restored by LSL, eventually proceeded after the delay and later completed a return journey at a more appropriate speed. The video captures the movement of multiple trains in the area, including services passing through Crewe, Charnock, and other nearby locations.
Fishplate has identified 4 locomotives in this video. Weโve also matched 11 headcodes and 6 operators . Create a free account to see where they appear, unlock timestamps and locations, and view the full breakdown.
- qKn8AEtREcU
- 11,000
- 18 Mar 2026 18:00
- 13 Jun 2026 11:31
- 18 Mar 2026
- 4
- 11
