View source for British Rail Class 91

{{Short description|Class of high-speed electric locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name             = British Rail Class 91
| image            = [[File:91127 "Neville Hill" Potters Bar 090923 09.04 KX-Leeds.jpg|300px]]
| alt              = 
| caption          = [[London North Eastern Railway|LNER]] Class 91 passing {{rws|Potters Bar}}
| powertype        = Electric
| designer         = [[General Electric Company|GEC Transportation Projects]]<ref name=wnh />
| builder          = [[British Rail Engineering Limited|BREL]] [[Crewe Works]]
| ordernumber      = 
| serialnumber     = 
| buildmodel       = 
| builddate        = 1988–1991
| totalproduction  = 31
| rebuilder        = [[Adtranz]]
| rebuilddate      = 2000–2003
| numberrebuilt    = 31
| website          = 
| aarwheels        = B-B
| Britishclass     = Bo-Bo
| uicclass         = [[Bo′Bo′]]
| gauge            = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on|al=on}}
| bogies           = BREL BP52<ref name=wnh />
| wheeldiameter    = {{convert|970|mm|ftin|abbr=on|2}}<ref name="jma" />
| minimumcurve     = {{convert|80.000|m|ftin|abbr=on|2}}<ref name=wnh />
| wheelbase        = {{convert|10.500|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<ref name="elk91td">{{cite book |author1=Railway Industry Association |title=Grossbritanniens Neue Eisenbahnen / Britain's New Railways |date=1988 |publisher=British Railways Board |location=London |language=de, en |chapter=Elektrische Lokomotive Klasse 91 - Technische Daten / Class 91 Electric Locomotive - Technical Information |chapter-url=http://www.traintesting.com/images/91_technical_data.jpg |chapter-format=JPEG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119202952/http://www.traintesting.com/images/91_technical_data.jpg |archive-date=19 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|  bogie           = {{convert|3.350|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="elk91td" />
| pivotcentres     = 
| length           = 
|  over couplers   = 
|  over bufferbeams= 
|  body            = {{convert|19.400|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<ref name="jma"/>
| width            = {{convert|2.740|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<ref name="wnh">{{cite book |last1=Fawcett |first1=M. |title=Vehicle Diagram Book - Class 91 Locomotive |date=April 2008 |publisher=HSBC Rail UK |publication-place=London |edition=1 |id=EV/DB0910 |url=https://djvu.online/file/pE07RrzFPg2Pe |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506003352/https://djvu.online/file/pE07RrzFPg2Pe |archive-date=6 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| height           = {{convert|3.757|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<ref name=wnh />
|  pantodown       = <!-- electrics -->
|  bodyonly        = <!-- electrics -->
| frametype        = 
| axleload         = 
| locoweight       = {{ubli|indent=0.5em|{{convert|85.25|t|lk=on}}<ref name=wnh />}}
| sandcap          = 
| powersupply      = 
| electricsystem   = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| collectionmethod = {{ubl|[[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]]|([[Brecknell Willis#Products|Brecknell Willis high speed]])}}
| alternator       = 
| generator        = 
| tractionmotors   = 4 × GEC G426AZ [[Direct current|DC]]<ref name=wnh />
|  t/m amps 1 hr   = 
|  t/m amps cont   = 
| headendpower     = 
| gear ratio       = 1.741:1<ref name=wnh />
| multipleworking  = [[Time-division multiplexing|TDM]]<ref name="sd001">{{cite book |title=System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 |date=22 June 2011 |id=SD001 |publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board |publication-place =London |url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203135/http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2012 |format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot--> |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|8}}
| trainheating     = {{ubl|[[Electric Train Heating|Electric Train Supply]], index 95|(1000 V, 600 A,<ref name="sd001" />{{rp|9}} max 475 kW)}}
| locobrakes       = {{ubli|indent=0.5em|[[Railway air brake|Pneumatic]] ([[Disc brake#On other vehicles|disc]] and [[Railway tread brake|tread]]) {{nowrap|and [[Rheostatic brake|rheostatic]]}}{{notetag|The rheostatic brake is the primary locomotive and train brake and is used at speeds down to approximately {{convert|30|mph|abbr=on}}. Below this speed it is blended with the conventional pneumatic brakes.}}}}
| locobrakeforce   = {{ubli|indent=0.5em|''Rheostatic'':|{{convert|83|kN|abbr=on|lk=on}} max.{{notetag|Maximum rheostatic brakeforce is available between speeds of approximately {{convert|60|to|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Below 60 mph the maximum effort available decreases linearly to zero, and above 125 mph it is limited to {{convert|50|kN|abbr=on}}.<ref name="jma">{{cite book |last1=Kaller |first1=Roger |last2=Allenbach |first2=Jean-Marc |title=Traction électrique |date=1995 |publisher=Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes |location=Lausanne |page=8.2.91 |url=http://documents.epfl.ch/users/a/al/allenbac/www/documents/Fich0291.pdf |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514172242/https://documents.epfl.ch/users/a/al/allenbac/www/documents/Fich0291.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2021 |url-status = live |language=fr |format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}</ref>}}}}
| trainbrakes      = Pneumatic
| reservoircap     = 
| compressorcap    = 
| safety           = {{ubl|[[Automatic Warning System|AWS]]|[[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]]<ref name=wnh />}}
| coupling         = Drophead [[Janney coupler|Buckeye]]
| maxspeed         = {{ubl|''Design'':|{{convert|140|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=wnh />|''Service'':|{{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=wnh />|''No. 2 cab leading'':|{{convert|110|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}|''As {{abbr|light locomotive|Neither hauling nor propelling any carriages or wagons}}'':|{{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}{{notetag|Imposed to ensure that the locomotive can be adequately braked by the friction brakes alone in the event that the rheostatic brake fails.<ref name=wnh />}}}}
| poweroutput      = 
|  poweroutput start={{convert|4.70|MW|abbr=on}} at rails<ref name="elk91td" /><ref name=wnh />
|  poweroutput 1 hr= 
|  poweroutput cont= {{convert|4.54|MW|abbr=on}} at rails<ref name=wnh /><ref name="ieee1989" />
| tractiveeffort   = ''max'' {{convert|190|kN|abbr=on}}<ref name="jma"/><br>''continuous'' {{convert|107|kN|abbr=on}} @ {{convert|153|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="jma"/>
|  t/e starting    = {{convert|190|kN|abbr=on}}<ref name="jma"/>
|  t/e 1 hr        = 
|  t/e continuous  = {{ubli|indent=0.5em|{{convert|107|kN|abbr=on}} at {{convert|153|km/h|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="jma"/>}}
| factorofadhesion = 
|  f/adh starting  = 
|  f/adh 1 hr      = 
|  f/adh continuous= 
| operator         = {{ubl|''Current'':|[[London North Eastern Railway]]|[[Europhoenix]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |title=Europhoenix earmarks '91s' for European freight use |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/europhoenix-earmarks-91s-for-european-freight-use |access-date=12 October 2019 |work=Rail Magazine |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012182006/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/europhoenix-earmarks-91s-for-european-freight-use |archive-date=12 October 2019 |location=Peterborough |url-status=live}}</ref>|''Former'':|British Rail ([[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]])|[[Great North Eastern Railway]]|[[National Express East Coast]]|[[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]] ([[Directly Operated Railways|DOR]])|[[Virgin Trains East Coast]]}}
| operatorclass    = 
| powerclass       = 
| numinclass       = 
| fleetnumbers     = {{ubl|''As built'':|91001–91031|''Post 2000–2003 refit'':|91101–91122, 91124–91132}}
| officialname     = Electra
| nicknames        = 
| axleloadclass    = [[Route availability]] 7
| locale           = 
| deliverydate     = 
| firstrundate     = 
| lastrundate      = 
| retiredate       = 
| withdrawndate    = 
| preservedunits   = 
| restoredate      = 
| scrapdate        = 
| currentowner     = {{ubl|[[Eversholt Rail Group]]|Europhoenix<ref name="RI242"/>}}
| disposition      = {{ubl|In service: 12|Stored: 6|Scrapped: 12|Preserved: 1}}
| notes            = 
}}

The '''British Rail Class 91''' is a [[high-speed rail|high-speed]] [[electric locomotive]], which produces power of {{convert|4830|kW|abbr=on}}; it was ordered as a component of the [[East Coast Main Line]] modernisation and electrification programme of the late 1980s. The Class 91s were given the auxiliary name of [[InterCity 225]] to indicate their envisaged top speed of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}; they were also referred to as ''Electras'' by [[British Rail]] during their development and throughout the electrification of the East Coast Main Line.

The locomotive body shells are of all-steel construction. Unusually, the motors are body mounted and drive bogie-mounted gearboxes via [[cardan shaft]]s; this reduces the [[unsprung mass]] and hence track wear at high speeds. The locomotive also features an underslung transformer, therefore the body is relatively empty compared to contemporary electric locomotives. Much of the engineering specification for the locomotive was derived from the research and operational experience of the [[Advanced Passenger Train|APT-P]].<ref name="jma"/><ref name="ieee1989">{{cite journal |last1=Donnison |first1=P.J. |last2=West |first2=G.R. |title=The design and development of the Class 91 locomotive |journal=International Conference on Main Line Railway Electrification 1989 |date=September 1989 |pages=294–298 |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/51890 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316152224/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/51890 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The other end of the InterCity 225 train set is formed of a Mark 4 [[Driving Van Trailer]], built with a similar body shell to the Class 91 locomotives but with only one driving cab.

== History ==
===Background===
The origins of the Class 91 are closely associated with the [[East Coast Main Line]] (ECML) on which it has been primarily operated. During the 1950s, [[British Railways|British Rail]] had considered electrification of the ECML to be of equal importance to the [[West Coast Main Line]] (WCML), but various political factors led to the envisioned electrification programme being delayed for decades; as an alternative, high-speed diesel traction, the [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] and then the [[InterCity 125]], was introduced upon the route during the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name="ele upgrade18">{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Peter |title=ECML Power Supply Upgrade |url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/ecml-power-supply-upgrade/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |work=Rail Engineer |publisher=RailStaff Publications |date=23 November 2017 |location=Derby |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126212945/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/ecml-power-supply-upgrade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 1970s, a working group of British Rail and [[Department for Transport|Department of Transport]] officials determined that, out of all options for further electrification, the ECML represented the best value by far. Its in-house forecasts determined that increases in revenue and considerable reductions in energy and maintenance costs would occur by electrifying the line.<ref name = "raileng elect18">{{cite news |last1=Shirres |first1=David |title=ECML: Electrification as it used to be |url=https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/11/27/ecml-electrification-as-it-used-to-be/ |work=Rail Engineer |publisher=Rail Media Group |place=Coalville |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165146/https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/11/27/ecml-electrification-as-it-used-to-be/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Accordingly, between 1976 and 1991, the ECML was electrified with {{nowrap|[[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]]}} [[overhead line]]s. The electrification was installed in two phases: The first phase between London (King's Cross) and {{rws|Hitchin}} (including the [[Hertford Loop Line]]) was carried out between 1976 and 1978 as the [[Great Northern Route|Great Northern Suburban Electrification Project]], using Mk.&nbsp;3A equipment,<ref>{{cite book |title=Your New Electric Railway: The Great Northern Suburban Electrification |id=BR(E) M68 (4/73) |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRE_GNElectric1973.pdf |publisher=British Rail |access-date=18 March 2014 |year=1973 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111404/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRE_GNElectric1973.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> covering {{convert|30|mi}} in total.<ref name = "raileng elect18"/><ref name = "ele upgrade18"/> In 1984, the second phase commenced to electrify the northern section to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] and [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]]. During the late 1980s, the programme was claimed to be the longest construction site in the world, spanning more than {{convert|250|mi}}.<ref name = "raileng elect18"/>

In 1989 the InterCity 225 was officially introduced to revenue service.<ref>{{cite book |last=Semmens |first=Peter |title=Electrifying the East Coast Route: Making of Britain's First 140 m.p.h. Railway |date=March 1991 |publisher=Patrick Stephens |place=Wellingborough |isbn=978-0-85059-929-9}}</ref><ref name="NRMEC">{{cite news |title=Back to the future as history made with East Coast rail icons |url=http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/2017/april/four-trains-completed |access-date=10 January 2018 |publisher=National Railway Museum |date=24 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052824/http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/2017/april/four-trains-completed |archive-date=11 January 2018 |location=York |url-status=dead}}</ref> That same year, the ECML had been energised through to [[York railway station|York]];<ref name = "raileng elect18"/> two years later, electrification had reached Edinburgh, allowing electric services to begin on 8 July 1991, eight weeks later than scheduled. The ECML electrification programme was completed at a cost of £344.4{{nbsp}}million (at 1983 prices), a minor overrun against its authorised expenditure of £331.9{{nbsp}}million. 40 per cent of the total cost was on new traction and rolling stock and 60 per cent for the electrification of the line.<ref name = "raileng elect18"/>

===Options and selection===
The electrification of the ECML necessitated the procurement of new high speed electric traction. The options and requirements for this trainset were hotly deliberated for a number of years. On 7 June 1978, the electric-powered prototype [[British Rail Class 370|Advanced Passenger Train]] (APT) was unveiled; it was at one point intended for the APT to be the next major intercity express train.<ref>{{cite magazine | title = First impressions of ATP-P | magazine = Modern Railways | volume = 35 | issue = 359 | pages = 354–358 | publisher = Ian Allan | date = August 1978 | issn = 0026-8356}}</ref> However, due to various factors including technical issues, the APT programme was curtailed during the summer of 1983. Shortly thereafter, two alternative options were explored, an electrified version of the [[InterCity 125]] (known as the ''HST-E''), and the {{brc|89}} mixed-traffic locomotive; these were both intended to a peak service speed of 125{{nbsp}}mph.<ref name="railmag unpromised">{{cite news |title=Class 91s... promise unfulfilled |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/class-91spromise-unfulfilled |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=Rail Magazine |issue=869 (January 2019) |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729130040/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/class-91spromise-unfulfilled |archive-date=29 July 2019 |location=Peterborough |url-status = live}}</ref>

Some officials within British Rail pushed for more demanding requirements for the future Intercity trainset; reportedly, BR's Director of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (M&EE) was a strong proponent for increasing the top speed to 140&nbsp;mph.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> To facilitate this, [[tilting train]] technologies developed for the APT were explored. While BR's board had approved the ordering of a single Class 89 as a prototype, the Strategy Committee queried why the type had been favoured over a proposed 80-tonne Bo-Bo locomotive.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> While the Class 89 was thought to be a low-risk option for multi-purpose traction, it offered little advantage over the existing {{brc|87}} in terms of speed. At the time, the 1950s era {{brc|81}} and {{brc|85}} electric locomotives were nearing the end of their viable service lives and were quite unreliable, but their withdrawal had effectively been ruled out by a national shortage of newer electric traction, in part caused by the APT's cancellation.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/>

A key advantage of the InterCity 225 concept over a Class 89-hauled consist was the lower weight of the former, resulting in less slippage and greater acceleration over the latter.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> Appraisals also determined that the Class 89 was comparatively inferior in financial terms, in part due to the InterCity 225's prospective compatibility with WCML traction, reducing its development costs. A further cost-saving measure was the decision to base the InterCity 225's technologies on the APT. BR reportedly stated that it had derived 90% of the former's engineering from the latter.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> Thus, the study group recommended that the InterCity 225 be pursued as the preferred option, while the Class 89 and HST-E initiatives serve as back-ups. Despite this, the HST-E effort was promptly aborted, while [[Brush Traction]] decided to de-prioritise work on the Class 89 after learning that it was unlikely to lead to volume production.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/>

By spring 1984, favour was being given towards the adoption of a tilting carriage, tentatively designated as the Mk 4; this was viewed as superior to the existing Mk 3 and enabled a single design to be shared between the ECML and WCML.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> At one point, it was envisaged that the InterCity 225 would be extremely ubiquitous, even potentially having the capability built into it to operate over the southern third-rail network and within the [[Channel Tunnel]]; by mid 1984, such proposals were curtailed. Furthermore, it was decided to reduce the freight haulage capabilities of the InterCity 225, as traction for this sector was instead intended to be served via other platforms.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> The emergence of the {{brc|90}}, derived from the existing [[British Rail Class 87|Class 87]], somewhat reduced the pressure for the InterCity 225, reducing the prospective numbers to be built of the latter. Without tilting carriages, it had little speed advantage over the Class 90 on the WCML.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/>

It was decided to hold a competitive [[Invitation to tender|tender]] for the InterCity 225 programme; this measure was aimed at avoiding the difficulties experienced with the APT programme.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> A pre-qualification document was formalised, in which various requirements for the type were laid out; these included the need to perform mixed-traffic duties (day and night passenger, parcel and mail, and overnight heavy freight services), the haulage of both tilting and conventional rolling stock, a top speed of 225{{nbsp}}km/h, a maximum cant deficiency of 9° without the provision of tilt equipment, and that the maximum unsprung mass could not exceed 1.8{{nbsp}}tonnes. Furthermore, BR stated its readiness to sub-contract with the successful bidder for the supply of technical information, advice and testing.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> The prequalification document was issued to [[British Rail Engineering Limited|BREL]], Brush Traction and the [[General Electric Company]] (GEC), as well as the French firm [[Alsthom]] and Germany's [[Krauss Maffei]]. The inclusion of foreign manufacturers was in part due to the limited domestic experience with trainsets capable of such high top speeds.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> A total of three companies, [[ASEA]], Brush Traction and GEC, submitted tenders for the design and construction of the Class 91 locomotive.<ref>{{cite news |title= Managing Electra |author-link=Roger Ford (journalist) |author=Ford, Roger |work=[[Modern Railways]] |date=April 1988 |issn=0026-8356}}</ref>

[[File:Crewe_Works,_Crewe_-_geograph.org.uk_-_663863.jpg|thumb|A {{brc|90}} (90050) and a Class 91 (91020) under construction at [[Crewe Works]] in 1990]]
On 14 February 1985, the BR board approved the substitution of the Class 91 for Class 89 for the ECML programme.<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> The tendering process was relatively complex, but a decisive move appeared to have been GEC's offer of a sub-contracting arrangement to BREL for the construction of the locomotive's mechanical elements. It would be GEC's submission that would be selected as the winner; after which a contract for the construction of 31 Class 91 locomotives, along with an option for 25 more for the WCML, was awarded during February 1986.<ref name = "raileng elect18"/><ref name = "railmag unpromised"/> Shortly thereafter, BREL established a production line for the type at its [[Crewe Works]].<ref name = "railmag unpromised"/>

===Post-introduction developments===
The first passenger service to be operated by a Class 91 locomotive was the 17:36 King's Cross to [[Peterborough]] on 3 March 1989. From 6 March, members of the fleet began to work services between London and [[Grantham]], and from 11 March services between London and [[Leeds]].<ref name="no-rest" /> With the completion of the [[East Coast Main Line]] electrification programme, Class 91 trains reached [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] for the first time in service on 10 June 1991, then [[Edinburgh]] on 12 June.<ref name="no-rest" />

In service, as a part of the InterCity 225 sets, the fleet worked alongside {{brc|90}} locomotives and {{brc|317}} electric multiple units. Diesel trains displaced by the Class 91 introduction were reallocated predominantly to the [[Midland Main Line]].<ref name = "raileng elect18"/> The InterCity 225's introduction correlated with a significant increase in passenger numbers using the ECML within two years; one station recorded a 58 per cent increase in passengers.<ref name = "raileng elect18" />

In the early 1990s, after the cancellation of [[InterCity 250]], British Rail examined the option of ordering a further set of ten Class 91s to operate on the [[West Coast Main Line]] with UK Treasury support, however the business case for these failed to prove sufficiently worthwhile.<ref>{{cite book | last = Vincent | first = Mike | title = InterCity Story 1964-2012 | publisher = Oxford Publishing Company | year = 2013 | isbn = 978-0860936527}}</ref> and led to the electric [[Networker (train)|Networker]] Classes [[British Rail Class 365|365]], [[British Rail Class 465|465]] and [[British Rail Class 466|466]] EMU Networker stock's procurement being taken forward.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

[[File:91115 at Kings Cross 4.jpg|thumb|91115 running with the 'blunt' Number 2 end leading at [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]]]]
[[File:Class91bluntendcab.jpg|thumb|The No. 2 end driver's cab in a Class 91]]
The locomotive body is asymmetric; streamlined at the 'front' (Number 1) end {{citation needed span|date=November 2022|to allow for high-speed operation}}, but left 'blunt' at the Number 2 end so as to visually blend with the fixed sets of Mark 4 coaches in normal push-pull passenger service. Because of a design requirement that the class be able to function as normal locomotives if so required, a full driver's cab is also provided at the Number 2 end{{snd}}but the locomotive's maximum speed is reduced to {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} when this cab is at the front of a train.

During the [[privatisation of British Rail]] ownership of the Class 91 fleet passed to [[Eversholt Rail Group]], which in turn leased the fleet to its various operators.<ref name="no-rest">{{cite news |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |title=No rest for the '91s' |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/trains/current-trains/no-rest-for-the-91s |access-date=19 November 2022 |work=Rail Magazine |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |date=20 March 2013 |location=Peterborough}}</ref> Eversholt put all 31 locomotives through a £30{{nbsp}}million heavy overhaul and refit process ({{citation needed span|date=November 2022|known as ''Project Delta''}}) between 2000 and 2003, seeking to improve the fleet's reliability. [[Rail Magazine]] described it in March 2001 as being necessary because "eight out of ten failures on Class 91s were caused by the sub-standard electrics", and further noted that problems with [[relay]]s in particular were the "third-biggest" cause of failures.<ref name="no-rest" /> The refit was performed by [[Adtranz]] (later [[Bombardier Transportation]]), with technical support from [[Alstom]], and involved upgrades to the bogies, electrical systems, [[air compressor]]s, and parking brakes; alterations to the cab layout at the Number 1 end; the replacement of the original gearboxes with newly designed [[Voith]] models; and the installation of [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]] and a new air-cooling system.<ref name="no-rest" /> Overhauled units had their numbers increased by 100; thus 91001 became 91101 and so on{{snd}}with the exception of 91023, which was renumbered 91132 due to sensitivity around its involvement in both the [[Hatfield rail crash|Hatfield]] and [[Selby rail crash|Selby]] accidents.<ref name="no-rest" />

During the overhaul process, GNER hired in [[British Rail Class 90|Class 90]] locomotives to provide cover for their services.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pritchard |first1=Robert |last2=Fox |first2=Peter |last3=Hall |first3=Peter |title=British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2007 |date=April 2007 |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |location=Sheffield |isbn=978-1-902336-55-8}}</ref>

In November 2012, number 91114 had a second pantograph added as a pilot project conducted jointly by Eversholt, [[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]], DB ESG, [[Wabtec]], and [[Brecknell Willis]]. The new design uses the same mounting positions as a conventional pantograph but pairs two pantograph arms in an opposing configuration. If there is an ADD (Automatic Dropping Device) activation or the pantograph becomes detached, the train can keep going, so the system provides redundancy in the event of a pantograph/OLE failure.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Second pantograph fitted to '91' in bid to cut failures |magazine=Rail Magazine |date=28 November 2012 |page=6 |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |location=Peterborough}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Duplex pantograph prototype unveiled |url=http://www.railwaystrategies.co.uk/article-page.php?contentid=16934&issueid=475 |access-date=12 November 2013 |work=Railway Strategies |issue=475 |publisher=Schofield Publishing |date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183854/http://www.railwaystrategies.co.uk/article-page.php?contentid=16934&issueid=475 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |location=Norwich}}</ref>

===Speed records===
Locomotive 91010 (now 91110) holds the British speed record for electric locomotives, reaching {{convert|161.7|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} while on a test run down the East Coast Main Line's [[Stoke Bank]] on 17 September 1989.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 91 hits 162 mph |page=5 |issue=106 |date=5–18 October 1989 |magazine=Rail Magazine |publisher=EMAP National Publications |issn=0953-4563 |oclc=49953699}}</ref> Locomotive 91012 (now 91112) holds the separate record for the fastest non-stop journey between [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] and {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}}; 3{{nbsp}}hours{{nbsp}}29{{nbsp}}minutes on 26 September 1991,<ref name = "raileng elect18" /><ref>{{cite web |title=RPS listing of 'special' runs |url=http://www.railperf.org.uk/fastmembers/Special.pdf |publisher=Railway Performance Society |format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot--> |access-date=21 February 2023 |date=June 2006 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208202823/http://www.railperf.org.uk/fastmembers/Special.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> running within the {{cvt|140|mph}} speed limit but hauling a shortened set of only five coaches plus DVT. The time converts to an average speed of {{convert|112.5|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.

Despite these successes, however, Class 91 locomotives have never used their 140{{nbsp}}mph top speed in regular service, because testing conducted by British Rail in 1988 established that drivers could not interpret and act upon line-side signal aspects with sufficient consistency and accuracy when driving at speeds exceeding {{cvt|125|mph}}.<ref name="re-digital">{{cite news |last1=Bickell |first1=David |title=The digital railway – progresses to the East Coast Main Line |url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-digital-railway-progresses-to-the-east-coast-main-line/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |work=Rail Engineer |publisher=Rail Media Group |date=15 November 2018 |location=Coalville |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204160957/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-digital-railway-progresses-to-the-east-coast-main-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Regulations throughout Britain were subsequently amended to require the use of [[cab signalling|in-cab signalling]] whenever running service trains at speeds above 125{{nbsp}}mph,<ref name="re-digital" /><ref name="Heath">{{cite journal |last1=Heath |first1=D. L. |last2=Wood |first2=A. M. J. |last3=Fenwick |first3=T. H. |last4=Riddell |first4=J. B. |title=Discussion: Electrification of British Railway's East Coast Main Line |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport |date=August 1994 |volume=105 |issue=3 |page=232 |doi=10.1680/itran.1994.26798}}</ref> an option that BR were unwilling to pursue at the time.

== Fleet ==
[[File:Class91cab.jpg|thumb|The main (Number 1 end) cab of a Class 91]]
When British Rail was privatised, the InterCity livery was progressively removed and new operator [[Great North Eastern Railway|GNER]] applied their corporate livery of blue and vermilion. When GNER lost their franchise in 2007, the vermilion stripe was replaced by a white stripe containing the words National Express and East Coast. National Express East Coast originally planned to repaint all of their InterCity 225 sets in the white and silver NXEC corporate livery within two years. However, the collapse of NXEC in 2009 and its replacement with East Coast saw this repainting programme cancelled. As a result, 91111 was the only locomotive to receive the full National Express livery.

In June 2010, a new silver livery with a purple stripe was unveiled by East Coast.<ref>{{cite journal |page=3 |journal=Railway Herald |issue=223 |url=http://archive.railwayherald.com/Issue233.pdf |date=9 August 2010 |editor-first=Richard |editor-last=Tuplin |issn=1751-8091 |title=East Coast goes silver and purple! |first=Ron |last=Cover |access-date=12 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715151659/http://archive.railwayherald.com/Issue233.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2011  }}</ref> By February 2011, locomotives 91101,<ref>{{cite web |title= 91101 at Leeds |url= http://www.traintesting.com/images/91101%20EC%20livery%20Leeds.jpg |date= 5 October 2010 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927103135/http://www.traintesting.com/images/91101%20EC%20livery%20Leeds.jpg |archive-date= 27 September 2011 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> 91106, 91107 and 91109 carried this livery. Locomotive 91101 was soon given maroon vinyls, with Flying Scotsman branding. Locomotive 91107 was given promotional [[Skyfall (film)|"Skyfall"]] vinyls for a time during 2012–3. The locomotive later returned to conventional [[Virgin Trains East Coast]] livery. Locomotive 91110 carries 'BBMF' Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight livery. By 2013, all locomotives carried the standard East Coast livery of silver/grey with a purple stripe. 91118 was the last locomotive to carry GNER/NXEC livery. All Mark 4 coaches and DVTs have since been repainted. On 14 October 2014, at [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle station]], locomotive 91111 was unveiled in a commemorative [[World War I]] livery and named 'For The Fallen'.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-UNVEILS-MOVING-TRIBUTE-FOR-THE-FALLEN-48d.aspx |title=East Coast unveils tribute "For the Fallen" |publisher=East Coast |date=14 October 2014 |access-date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219213121/http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-UNVEILS-MOVING-TRIBUTE-FOR-THE-FALLEN-48d.aspx |archive-date=19 December 2014  }}</ref>

The Class 91 fleet has carried [[nameplate]]s applied in various batches and themes. Immediately after repainting into GNER colours in the late 1990s, all locomotives were briefly nameless. Having initially been applied to only a few locomotives in the early 1990s using cast-iron plates, eventually the whole fleet was named, many multiple times, until all were removed in 2008. In 2011, in response to customer requests, East Coast resumed the practice. It began by naming No. 91109 as ''[[Sir Bobby Robson]]'' with cast-iron plates, unveiled in a ceremony at Newcastle station on 29 March by his widow Elsie and [[Alan Shearer]].<ref name=BBC29Mar2011Train>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12890755 |title=Sir Bobby Robson name given to train |website=BBC News |date=29 March 2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-date=25 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225080617/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12890755 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=EastCoastTrains29Mar2011>{{cite press release  |url=http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/Press-Release/2011/EAST-COAST-NAMES-TRAIN-SIR-BOBBY-ROBSON/  |title=East Coast Names Train Sir Bobby Robson  |publisher=East Coast  |date=29 March 2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527024214/http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/Press-Release/2011/EAST-COAST-NAMES-TRAIN-SIR-BOBBY-ROBSON/ |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==List of Class 91 locomotives==
{| class="wikitable"
!Key:
|In service
|bgcolor=#fee7e6|Stored
|bgcolor=#cccccc|Scrapped
|bgcolor=#eaf3ff|Preserved
|bgcolor=#fef6e7|Exported
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan=2 align=left|Current Number
!rowspan=2 align=left|Previous Number(s)
!rowspan=2 align=left|Current name
!rowspan=2 align=left|Previous name(s)
!rowspan=2 align=left|Current livery
!rowspan=2 align=center|Built
!rowspan=2 align=left|Operator
!rowspan=2 align=left|Status
!rowspan=2 align=left|Notes
|-
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91101
|valign="top" align=center|91001
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Flying Scotsman (train)|Flying Scotsman]]''<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/media-centre#/pressreleases/first-minister-launches-new-virgin-flying-scotsman-train-1242511 |title=First Minister launches new Virgin Flying Scotsman train |author= |date=28 October 2015 |publisher=Virgin Trains East Coast |access-date=6 November 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131448/https://www.lner.co.uk/news/#/pressreleases/first-minister-launches-new-virgin-flying-scotsman-train-1242511 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[City of London]]|[[Swallow]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242">{{cite magazine |title=More Class 91s head for scrap |last1=Bendall |first1=Simon |last2=Coward |first2=Andy |magazine=Railways Illustrated |publisher=Mortons Media Group |place=Horncastle |issue=242 |date=April 2023 |page=18}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91102
|valign="top" align=center|91002
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{ubl|''[[City of York]]''<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/press-release/2011/return-of-reg-heralds-the-unveiling-of-iconic-train-name/ |title=Reg's return heralds unveiling of iconic train name |author= |date=1 December 2011 |publisher=East Coast |access-date=8 March 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |[[Durham Cathedral]]{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}}}
|valign="top" align=left| 
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left| 
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], May 2021.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |title=Four more Class 91s dispatched for scrap to Newport |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |date=June 2021 |page=102}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91103
|valign="top" align=center|91003
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[County of Lincolnshire]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[The Scotsman]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Arrived at [[C F Booth]], [[Rotherham]] for scrapping, March 2022.<ref name="RailwayMagApr22">{{cite magazine |last=Butlin |first=Ashley |date=April 2022 |title=Stock Update |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1453 |page=81}}</ref> Scrapped in August 2022.<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine |title=Class 91 disposals continue |magazine=[[Railways Illustrated]] |issue=237 |date=November 2022 |page=13}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91104
|valign="top" align=center|91004
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Grantham]],|[[The Red Arrows]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|June 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Arrived at [[C F Booth]], [[Rotherham]] for scrapping, March 2022.<ref name="RailwayMagApr22"/>
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91150
|valign="top" align=center|91005<br>91105<br>91000
|valign="top" align=left|''[[National Railway Museum|National Railway Museum 50 Years 1975-2025]]''
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[County Durham]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=unreliable source removed}}|[[Royal Air Force Regiment]]|[[Rail (magazine)|Rail 1000]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Meet 91000: 'our' Class 91 will be operating on the East Coast Mainline |magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]|issue=1000|date=10 January 2024|page=6}}</ref>}}''
|valign="top" align=left|''National Railway Museum'' 50th anniversary artwork
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|May 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Renumbered in July 2025 to celebrate 50 years of ''[[National Railway Museum]]'' in [[York]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lner.co.uk/news/lner-celebrates-50th-birthday-of-national-railway-museum-with-striking-new-livery/|title=LNER Launches Poppy Train 'Thank You' In Recognition Of Those Who Have Served|date=8 July 2025|work=London North Eastern Railway|access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91106
|valign="top" align=center|91006
|valign="top" align=left| [[Swallow]] [[InterCity 225]] - Since 1989
|valign="top" align=left|''[[East Lothian]]''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI239">{{cite magazine |magazine=Railways Illustrated |date=January 2023 |issue=239 |page=19 |title=LNER operational Class 91 liveries}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|June 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Named to celebrate LNER's first ‘225 Day’.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lner.co.uk/news/lner-declares-22nd-of-may-225-day---celebrating-its-intercity-stalwarts/|title=LNER Declares 22nd Of May "225 Day" - Celebrating Its InterCity Stalwarts|date=7 June 2025|work=London North Eastern Railway|access-date=7 June 2025|archive-date=14 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514150841/https://www.lner.co.uk/news/lner-declares-22nd-of-may-225-day---celebrating-its-intercity-stalwarts/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91107
|valign="top" align=center|91007
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Skyfall]]''<ref name="Skyfall">{{cite press release |title=Now arriving at Platform 007 |url=http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/skyfalltrain |website=East Coast |access-date=31 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620194849/http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/skyfalltrain |archive-date=20 June 2014 |language=en |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Newark-on-Trent|Newark on Trent]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|July 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER 
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Was temporarily renumbered back to 91007 for the duration of the Skyfall promotion.<ref name="Skyfall"/>
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91108
|valign="top" align=center|91008
|valign="top" align=left| 
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[City of Leeds]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|Thomas Cook}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|July 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Went off lease in July 2019; first Class 91 locomotive to be withdrawn.<ref>{{cite tweet |title="On Monday 22nd July after thirty years of service, we bid a final farewell to locomotive 91108." |number=1152884057874862080 |user=LNER |date=21 July 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131426/https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1152884057874862080 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Newton |first=Grace |date=22 July 2019 |title=Watch: Train driver's poignant horn blast as retiring LNER locomotive leaves York for the final time |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/watch-train-driver-s-poignant-horn-blast-as-retiring-lner-locomotive-leaves-york-for-the-final-time-1-9891758 |newspaper=[[The Yorkshire Post]] |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131453/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/watch-train-drivers-poignant-horn-blast-retiring-lner-locomotive-leaves-york-final-time-1752671 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |access-date=23 July 2019}}</ref> Scrapped at [[C F Booth]], [[Rotherham]], May 2022.<ref name="RailwayMagApr22"/>
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91109
|valign="top" align=center|91009
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Sir Bobby Robson]]''<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/press-release/2011/east-coast-names-train-sir-bobby-robson/ |title=East Coast names train "Sir Bobby Robson" |date=29 March 2011 |publisher=East Coast |access-date=8 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527024214/http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/Press-Release/2011/EAST-COAST-NAMES-TRAIN-SIR-BOBBY-ROBSON/ |archive-date=27 May 2011 }}</ref> 
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[The Samaritans]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Newcastle Cathedral|Saint Nicholas]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lot 328, GCR Auction, Sale 122 |url=http://www.gcrauctions.com/sale122/lot328.html |website=GCR Auctions |access-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130110847/http://www.gcrauctions.com/sale122/lot328.html |archive-date=30 November 2011}}</ref>}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI239"/>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|August 1988}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91110
|valign="top" align=center|91010
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]]''<ref name="RA-91119">{{cite news |last1=Holden |first1=Michael |title=LNER's InterCity Swallow liveried Class 91 locomotive is latest to be repainted |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/11/lners-intercity-swallow-liveried-class-91-locomotive-is-latest-to-be-repainted.html |access-date=3 March 2023 |work=RailAdvent |date=10 November 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404145651/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/11/lners-intercity-swallow-liveried-class-91-locomotive-is-latest-to-be-repainted.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[David Livingstone]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Northern Rock]]{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}}}''
|valign="top" align=left|Battle of Britain Memorial Flight artwork
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1989}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational
|valign="top" align=left|The locomotive holds the national speed record for electric locomotives of {{abbr|162&nbsp;mph|Approximately 261 km/h}} attained at [[Stoke Bank]] near [[Peterborough]] on 17 September 1989. Selected for preservation in the National Collection.
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91111
|valign="top" align=center|91011
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Ode of Remembrance|For the Fallen]]''<ref>{{cite press release |title=East Coast unveils moving tribute "For The Fallen" |url=http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-UNVEILS-MOVING-TRIBUTE-FOR-THE-FALLEN-48d.aspx |website=East Coast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219213121/http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-UNVEILS-MOVING-TRIBUTE-FOR-THE-FALLEN-48d.aspx |archive-date=19 December 2014 |date=14 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Terence Cuneo]]''{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}
|valign="top" align=left|''For the Fallen'' artwork<ref name="RA-91119" />
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|February 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|[[World War I]] commemoration.
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91112
|valign="top" align=center|91012
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Cambridgeshire|County of Cambridgeshire]]''       
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Hauled to Sims, Newport, on 3 February 2023<ref name="RI242"/>
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91113
|valign="top" align=center|91013
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[North Yorkshire|County of North Yorkshire]],|[[Michael Faraday|Sir Michael Faraday]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|April 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], May 2021.<ref name=":0" />
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91114
|valign="top" align=center|91014
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Durham Cathedral]]''<ref>{{cite press release |title=East Coast train named "Durham Cathedral" |url=http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-TRAIN-NAMED-DURHAM-CATHEDRAL-3b8.aspx |website=East Coast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714122231/http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/News/EAST-COAST-TRAIN-NAMED-DURHAM-CATHEDRAL-3b8.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2013 |date=3 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow|St Mungo Cathedral]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Northern Electric]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI239"/>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|May 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Previously fitted with experimental two-in-one pantograph.
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91115
|valign="top" align=center|91015
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{ubl|''[[Blaydon Races]]''<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/Press-Releases/FAMOUS-NORTH-EAST-ANTHEM-BLAYDON-RACES-TAKES-TO-THE-TRACKS-314.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224001021/http://www.mediacentre.eastcoast.co.uk/Press-Releases/FAMOUS-NORTH-EAST-ANTHEM-BLAYDON-RACES-TAKES-TO-THE-TRACKS-314.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2012 |title=Famous North East anthem 'Blaydon Races' takes to the tracks |author= |date=6 June 2012 |publisher=East Coast |access-date=6 June 2012 }}</ref>|[[Holyrood, Edinburgh|Holyrood]]}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|May 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Hauled to Sims, Newport, on 3 February 2023<ref name="RI242"/>
|-
|-bgcolor=#fee7e6
|valign="top" align=center|91116
|valign="top" align=center|91016
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Strathclyde]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://225group.org.uk/docs/Intercity-225-Fleet-List-Class-91-Locomotives.pdf|title=InterCity 225 Fleet List Class 91 Locomotives|publisher=225 Group|access-date= 3 October 2025}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|LNER red/white
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|June 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Stored<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Currently in warm storage at Belmont Yard, Doncaster.<ref name=":1" />
|-bgcolor=#fee7e6
|valign="top" align=center|91117
|valign="top" align=center|91017
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Cancer Research UK]],|[[City of Leeds]],|[[Commonwealth Institute]],|[[West Riding Limited]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/press-release/2011/west-riding-region-honoured-at-train-naming-ceremony/|title=West Riding region honoured at train naming ceremony|author=|date=13 September 2012|publisher=East Coast|access-date=8 March 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309204507/http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/about-us/press-release/2011/west-riding-region-honoured-at-train-naming-ceremony/|archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}''
|valign="top" align=left|Europhoenix
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|July 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|Europhoenix
|valign="top" align=left|Stored<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Went off-lease on 25 September 2019.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1176730549236523008|title=Today, we say goodbye to 91117 (West Riding Limited)|user=LNER|date=25 September 2019|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131525/https://twitter.com/i/js_inst?c_name=ui_metrics|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently stored at [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed|Barrow Hill]]. To be used as a spares donor in the project to reactivate [[British Rail Class 89|89001 ''Avocet'']].<ref name=":1" />
|-bgcolor=#fee7e6
|valign="top" align=center|91118
|valign="top" align=center|91018
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers|The Fusiliers]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/03/virgin-trains-reveal-the-fusiliers-train.html|title=Virgin Trains reveal 'The Fusiliers' train|date=28 March 2018|work=RailAdvent|access-date=5 April 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131506/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/03/virgin-trains-reveal-the-fusiliers-train.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Bradford Film Festival]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Robert Louis Stevenson]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER red/white
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|August 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Stored<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Currently in warm storage at Belmont Yard, Doncaster.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91119
|valign="top" align=center|91019
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Bounds Green TMD|Bounds Green Intercity Depot]]''{{hair space}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/the-steven-knight-media-blog/bounds-green-depot-celebrates-40-years-of-hst-maintenance-by-naming-a-class-91|title=Bounds Green depot celebrates 40 years of HST maintenance by naming a Class 91!|publisher=Steven Knight Media|date=14 October 2017|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131333/https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/skm-news-views--blog/bounds-green-depot-celebrates-40-years-of-hst-maintenance-by-naming-a-class-91|url-status=live}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Tyne and Wear|County of Tyne & Wear]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Scottish Enterprise]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|[[InterCity (British Rail)#Swallow livery|BR InterCity 'Swallow']]<ref name="RA-91119" />
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|August 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|
|-bgcolor=#fee7e6
|valign="top" align=center|91120
|valign="top" align=center|91020
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Royal Armouries]]''
|valign="top" align=left|[[InterCity (British Rail)#Swallow livery|BR Intercity 'Swallow']]<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Back in time for europhoenix 91120 |date=3 October 2023 |magazine=Railways Illustrated Magazine |publisher=Readly |url=https://gb.readly.com/magazines/railways-illustrated/2023-10-03/65137eb512f95e0db19942da?srsltid=AfmBOoqZM4P1H9TBoBH5dmkUWpw0XlmBLEk2cLygHjzJqBEM-3bJmWLF |access-date=15 October 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|October 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|Europhoenix
|valign="top" align=left|Stored<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|On display at Crewe Heritage Centre on long-term loan from Europhoenix.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.crewehc.co.uk/news/91120-loan |title=91 120 Loaned To Crewe Heritage Centre |website=[[Crewe Heritage Centre|The Crewe Heritage Centre]] |date=29 September 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=#fee7e6
|valign="top" align=center|91121
|valign="top" align=center|91021
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Thomas Cranmer|Archbishop Thomas Cranmer]],|[[Royal Armouries]]{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER red/white
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|October 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Stored<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Formerly carried [[LGBT pride|pride]] decorations and was known as the "Trainbow".<ref>{{cite news |title=LNER Celebrates Summer of Pride on East Coast Route |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/news/lner-celebrates-summer-of-pride-on-east-coast-route/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |publisher=London North Eastern Railway |date=26 August 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526140027/https://www.lner.co.uk/news/lner-celebrates-summer-of-pride-on-east-coast-route/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Currently in warm storage at Belmont Yard, Doncaster.<ref name=":1" />
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91122
|valign="top" align=center|91022
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Thomas McKay (gunner)|Tam the Gun]],|[[Double Trigger]],|[[Robert Adley]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|October 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped
|valign="top" align=left|Used following withdrawal in testing of overhead wires on the [[Midland Main Line]], scrapped in October 2022.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91124
|valign="top" align=center|91024
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''[[W.V. Awdry|Reverend W Awdry]]''{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI239"/>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|September 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91125
|valign="top" align=center|91025
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Berwick upon Tweed]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[BBC Radio 1|BBC Radio 1 FM]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Radio Rewind - BBC Radio 1 Timeline - 1978 to 1992 |url=https://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio1/1978_to_1992_page.htm |website=www.radiorewind.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131339/https://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio1/1978_to_1992_page.htm |archive-date=6 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|October 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Previously carried promotional livery for [[Sky 1 HD]]. Hauled to Sims, Newport, on 3 February 2023.<ref name="RI242"/>
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91126
|valign="top" align=center|91026
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|Darlington Hippodrome{{hair space}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2017/11/virgin-loco-91-126-named-darlington-hippodrome.html|title=Virgin Loco 91 126 Named Darlington Hippodrome|website=Railway Adventures|date=21 November 2017|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131524/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2017/11/virgin-loco-91-126-named-darlington-hippodrome.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[York Minster]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|Voice of the North}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|March 1991}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], May 2021.<ref name=":0" />
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91127
|valign="top" align=center|91027
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Neville Hill TMD|Neville Hill]]''<ref>"''Neville Hill'' name for Class 91". ''Rail Express''. No. 329. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. October 2023. p. 12.</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Edinburgh Castle]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Great North Run]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity<ref name="RI239"/>
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|December 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|First locomotive in LNER InterCity livery.<ref name="oxblood" />
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91128
|valign="top" align=center|91028
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[InterCity (British Rail)|''InterCity 50'']]<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=751013406719807488 |title=Intercity 50 |user=richardsalkeld |access-date=7 December 2016 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131339/https://twitter.com/richardsalkeld/status/751013406719807488 |url-status=live }}</ref>|[[Peterborough Cathedral]],{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Guide Dog]]{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}}}''
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|January 1991}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Used following withdrawal in testing of overhead wires on the [[Midland Main Line]], scrapped in July 2022.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91129
|valign="top" align=center|91029
|valign="top" align=left| 
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Queen Elizabeth II]]''{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|January 1991}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left| Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], May 2021.<ref name=":0" />
|-
|valign="top" align=center|91130
|valign="top" align=center|91030
|valign="top" align=left|''[[List of Lord Mayors of Newcastle-upon-Tyne|Lord Mayor of Newcastle]]''{{hair space}}<ref>{{cite web |title=All aboard the Lord Mayor of Newcastle as train celebrates city anniversary |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14949758.aboard-lord-mayor-newcastle-train-celebrates-city-anniversary/ |website=The Northern Echo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106131451/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14949758.aboard-lord-mayor-newcastle-train-celebrates-city-anniversary/ |archive-date=6 January 2021 |language=en |date=7 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[Newcastle upon Tyne|City of Newcastle]],{{hair space}}{{citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=Unreliable source removed}}|[[Palace of Holyroodhouse]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER InterCity
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|March 1991}}
|valign="top" align=left|LNER
|valign="top" align=left|Operational<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|
|-
|-bgcolor=#eaf3ff
|valign="top" align=center|91131
|valign="top" align=center|91031
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''{{ubl|[[County of Northumberland]],|[[Sir Henry Royce]]}}''
|valign="top" align=left|LNER red/white
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|March 1991}}
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|Preserved<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Last locomotive built at Crewe Works. Preserved at the Museum of Scottish Railways.<ref name="RI242"/><ref name="BonessTweet">{{cite tweet |number=1634149736386027520 |user=bonessrailway |title=Class 91131 has arrived safely at B&KR. You can see the loco in our @Mus_Scot_Rways from April 2023. |author=Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway |author-link=Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway |date=10 March 2023 |access-date=3 April 2023|}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=#cccccc
|valign="top" align=center|91132
|valign="top" align=center|91023
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|''[[Durham, England|City of Durham]]''<ref name="91132 scrapped" />
|valign="top" align=left|
|valign="top" align=left|{{Date table sorting|September 1990}}
|valign="top" align=left| 
|valign="top" align=left|Scrapped<ref name="RI242"/>
|valign="top" align=left|Involved in both [[Hatfield rail crash|Hatfield]] and [[Selby rail crash|Great Heck]] accidents. Renumbered 91132 (rather than 91123) after 2001 refurbishment. Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims]], [[Beeston, Nottinghamshire|Beeston]], March 2021.<ref name=":0" />
|}

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ style="text-align: left;" |Table of withdrawals by year
! Year !! Quantity in<br>service at<br>start of year !! Quantity<br>withdrawn !! Locomotives withdrawn
|-
| 2019 || 31 || 4|| align=left | 91103, 91108, 91117, 91120
|-
| 2020 || 27 || 15 || align="left" | 91102, 91104, 91112–91113, 91115–91116, 91118, 91121–91122, 91125–91126, 91128–91129, 91131–91132
|}

==Operators==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Operator
! Years
! Livery
! Image
|-
|[[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]]
| 1988{{ndash}}1996
| Intercity Swallow (red, white, and black)
|[[File:Peterborough Station, 1992 geograph-3967343-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|200px|91021 at Peterborough in 1992.]]
|-
|[[Great North Eastern Railway]]
| 1996{{ndash}}2007
| GNER navy blue with gold and vermilion detailing
|[[File:Hugh_llewelyn_91_101_(6749175251).jpg|200px|91101 "City of London" at King's Cross in July 2007.]]
|-
|rowspan=2| [[National Express East Coast]]
| 2007{{ndash}}2009
| Interim livery (GNER navy blue with white stripe)
|[[File:Hugh_llewelyn_91_101_(5631916483).jpg|200px]]
|-
| 2008{{ndash}}2009
| National Express corporate grey (only used on 91111)
|[[File:Hugh llewelyn 91 111 (5624186675).jpg|200px|91111 at Kings Cross in March 2009.]]
|-
| [[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]]
| 2010{{ndash}}2015
| East Coast silver with purple stripe
| [[File:91 106 Kings Cross(8077572452).jpg|200px|91106 at King's Cross in August 2012.]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Virgin Trains East Coast]]
|2015{{ndash}}2016
|Interim livery (East Coast silver with purple stripe and Virgin Trains large red strip)
|[[File:Virgin Trains East Coast Class 91.jpg|200px]]
|-
| 2015{{ndash}}2018
| Virgin Trains corporate red and white
|[[File:York - VTEC 91124 leaving for London.JPG|200px|91124 at York in April 2015.]]
|-
|rowspan=2| [[London North Eastern Railway]]
| 2018{{ndash}}2023
| LNER red and white (VTEC red/white with LNER branding)
| [[File:Kings Cross - LNER 91125 ecs.JPG|200px|91125 at King's Cross in July 2018.]]
|-
| 2022{{ndash}}present
| LNER InterCity 225 (red, white, and [[oxblood]])<ref name="oxblood">{{cite news |title=New Livery for LNER InterCity 225 Fleet as Part of Essential Maintenance |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/news/new-livery-for-lner-intercity-225-fleet-as-part-of-essential-maintenance |access-date=6 September 2022 |publisher=London North Eastern Railway |date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717004341/https://www.lner.co.uk/news/new-livery-for-lner-intercity-225-fleet-as-part-of-essential-maintenance/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|[[File:British Rail Class 91, 91130 at York railway station.png|200px|91130 at York railway station in October 2022]]
|-
|[[Europhoenix]]
| 2019{{ndash}}present
| Europhoenix grey, silver, and red (with a phoenix motif branding)
|[[File:Leicester TMD - Europhoenix 91117.JPG|200px|91117 at Leicester TMD in October 2019.]]
|}

===Current operations===
The fleet, which was previously operated by [[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]] and then [[Great North Eastern Railway|GNER]], [[National Express East Coast]], [[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]] and [[Virgin Trains East Coast]], is currently run by [[London North Eastern Railway]].

In July 2019, 91108 was the first of the class to be withdrawn.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Class 91 withdrawn from traffic by LNER |magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]] |issue=884 |date=31 July 2019 |page=28}}</ref> Following the withdrawal of the InterCity 125 fleet in December 2019, it was previously thought that the InterCity 225 fleet would be fully withdrawn by June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/from-the-archives-traction-transition-hst-to-azuma|title=FROM THE ARCHIVES: Traction transition: HST to Azuma|website=www.railmagazine.com|language=en|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121091005/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/from-the-archives-traction-transition-hst-to-azuma|url-status=live}}</ref> However, LNER announced on 29 January 2020 that they would be retaining a limited number of the InterCity 225 fleet to deliver all of the benefits of their December 2021 timetable.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1222540451988766721|title=If you're a fan of our IC225 trains, you can continue to enjoy them for a bit longer. We are retaining a number of them in order to deliver all of the benefits of our Dec 2021 timetable plans.|user=LNER|date=29 January 2020|language=en|access-date=30 January 2020|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130110139/https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1222540451988766721|url-status=live}}</ref> LNER later confirmed that they would be keeping 10 sets in service.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1225184542882959361|title=18 currently and we are keeping 10 till the end of 2021.|user=LNER|date=5 February 2020||language=en|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206031114/https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1225184542882959361|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2020, [[Eversholt Rail Group]] and London North Eastern Railway extended their lease to ten by 2023. In addition, there are options to make it operational until 2024. It will be overhauled at the Wabtec Doncaster plant.<ref>{{cite web |title=IC225 Fleet Lease Extension and Overhaul |url=https://eversholtrail.co.uk/news/ic225-fleet-lease-extension-and-overhaul/ |website=eversholtrail.co.uk |access-date=25 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124070630/https://eversholtrail.co.uk/news/ic225-fleet-lease-extension-and-overhaul/ |archive-date=24 November 2020 |date=10 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Michael |title=LNER to retain 10 Class 91s up to 2023, as overhaul contracts awarded |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/09/lner-to-retain-10-class-91s-up-to-2023-as-overhaul-contracts-awarded.html |website=RailAdvent |access-date=25 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227093911/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/09/lner-to-retain-10-class-91s-up-to-2023-as-overhaul-contracts-awarded.html |archive-date=27 February 2021 |date=10 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the end of service on 15 January 2021, the remaining serviceable InterCity 225 sets went into storage temporarily as part of the East Coast Upgrade.<ref>{{Cite tweet|date=15 January 2021|title=Last day in service for our speed record-breaking #Class91 locomotives today... for a while.|number=1350174855552004100|user=DavidHorne|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115201556/https://twitter.com/DavidHorne/status/1350174855552004100|archive-date=15 January 2021|access-date=}}</ref> Originally, the plan was to return the sets to service for 7 June 2021, but instead the first set re-entered service on 11 May 2021 due to a number of ''Azuma'' sets having to be taken out of service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LNER reintroduces stored InterCity 225 trains into service|url=https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/LNER-intercity-225-service|access-date=12 May 2021|website=Rail Technology Magazine|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512231634/https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/LNER-intercity-225-service|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Future operations===
[[Europhoenix]] purchased 91117 and 91120 in September 2019. They were repainted at [[Bounds Green TMD]] before moving to [[UK Rail Leasing]]'s [[Leicester]] depot. They were to be re-geared for freight operation in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |title=Europhoenix earmarks '91s' for European freight use |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/europhoenix-earmarks-91s-for-european-freight-use |website=www.railmagazine.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012182006/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/europhoenix-earmarks-91s-for-european-freight-use |archive-date=12 October 2019 |language=en |date=10 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2022, 91120 moved to [[Crewe Heritage Centre]] on long-term loan from Europhoenix.

[[Rail Operations Group]] have taken a pair of Class 91s for use in testing of the newly electrified [[Midland Main Line]] prior to the introduction of regular electric services between {{stnlnk|Bedford}} and {{stnlnk|Corby}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/rog-to-use-class-91s-for-midland-main-line-electrification-testing |title=ROG to use Class 91s for Midland Main Line electrification testing |last=Clinnick |first=Richard |date=5 February 2020 |website=Rail Magazine |publisher=Bauer Media |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726233846/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/rog-to-use-class-91s-for-midland-main-line-electrification-testing |url-status=live }}</ref> The company has also expressed interest in using the Class 91s on high speed logistics trains.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |title=May start for withdrawal of LNER's redundant trains |magazine=Rail Magazine |date=24 April 2019 |issue=877 |page=32 |publisher=Bauer Media |location=Peterborough |issn=0953-4563}}</ref>

[[Grand Union (train operating company)|Grand Union]] proposed to operate InterCity 225s on [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] to [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] and [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] to [[Stirling railway station (Scotland)|Stirling]] services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cardiff – London open access plan |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/cardiff-london-open-access-plan/48739.article |website=Railway Gazette International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622221304/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/cardiff-london-open-access-plan.html |archive-date=22 June 2019 |language=en |date=19 June 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Grand Union Trains notification form on an open access service that may be subject to the Economic Equilibrium Test {{!}} Office of Rail and Road |url=https://www.orr.gov.uk/media/15111 |website=www.orr.gov.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828180531/https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/41688/grand-union-trains-notification-form.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2019 |language=en |date=27 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Scrapping ==
91132 was the first Class 91 to be scrapped, at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims Metals]] scrapyard in [[Nottingham]] in 2021.<ref name="91132 scrapped">{{Cite web|date=19 March 2021|title=First LNER Class 91 locomotive set to be scrapped in Nottingham|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/03/first-lner-class-91-locomotive-set-to-be-scrapped-in-nottingham.html|access-date=6 April 2021|website=RailAdvent|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322023208/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/03/first-lner-class-91-locomotive-set-to-be-scrapped-in-nottingham.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Preservation ==
91131 was nominated by the [[Railway Heritage Committee]] to be preserved upon its retirement;<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 60 to be saved for preservation |magazine=Rail |issue=678 |date=7 September 2011 |page=33}}</ref> in March 2023, it moved to preservation at the [[Museum of Scottish Railways]] at the [[Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway]].<ref name="BonessTweet" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Crewe's record-breaking '91' saved for Bo'ness museum |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2023/01/04/crewe-s-record-breaking-91-saved-for-bo-ness-museum |work=Rail Magazine |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |publication-place=Peterborough |date=6 January 2023 |access-date=6 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106130932/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2023/01/04/crewe-s-record-breaking-91-saved-for-bo-ness-museum |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2021, the ''225 Group'' was launched; their intention is to preserve a further Class 91 and an InterCity 225 set.<ref name="225 Group preservation">{{cite web |last1=Denton-Cardew |first1=Benjamin |title=The 225 Group |url=https://225group.org.uk/ |website=The 225 Group |publisher=In house |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020064533/https://225group.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2022, [[Crewe Heritage Centre]] received 91120 on long-term loan from Europhoenix.<ref name=":2" />

== Notes ==
{{notefoot}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Literature===
*{{citation|author = P.J. Donnison| author2= G.R. West| title = The design and development of the class 91 locomotive| journal = IEE Conference Publication| number = 312| pages =294–298| editor = Institution of Electrical Engineers| date = 25–28 September 1989| url =https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/51890|isbn = 978-0-85296-384-5}}
*{{citation|author = P.C. Bennett| title = Aspects of the design, construction and testing of BRB's Class 90 and 91 locomotive transformers| journal = IEE Conference Publication| number = 312| pages =279–283| editor = Institution of Electrical Engineers| date = 25–28 September 1989| url =https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/51887|isbn = 978-0-85296-384-5}}
*{{citation| url =https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/307959| title= The Class 91 locomotive. Learning from the APT|author = R. Dettmer| journal = IEE Review| date =  12 May 1998| volume =34| issue = 5| pages = 188–189| issn=0953-5683| doi= 10.1049/ir:19880072| doi-broken-date= 8 July 2025| url-access = subscription}}
*{{Cite journal | last1 = Broom | first1 = M. L. | last2 = Smart | first2 = G. W. | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1990_204_200_02 | title = The design, manufacture and assembly of the wheelset for the British Rail Class 91, 25 kV, 225 km/h locomotive | journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit | volume = 204 | issue = 26 | pages = 141 | year = 1990 | s2cid = 111232510 }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Second pantograph fitted to '91' in bid to cut failures|first=Richard|last=Clinnick|magazine=RAIL|page=6|issue=710|date=28 November – 11 December 2012|location=Peterborough|publisher=Bauer|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|British Rail Class 91}}
* {{cite web |last1=Coxon |first1=Dave |title=IC225 and Class 91 commissioning |url=http://www.traintesting.com/IC225.htm |website=Testing Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422184018/http://www.traintesting.com/IC225.htm |archive-date=22 April 2022 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite AV media |people=Fabricius, Paul (director) |year=1988 |title=Running to Time |series=Equinoxe |type=Television production|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvsIYaRmRAM  |publication-place=London |publisher=Channel Four Television Company }}

{{British Rail Locomotives}}
{{General Electric Company plc}}

[[Category:Bo-Bo locomotives]]
[[Category:BREL locomotives]]
[[Category:British Rail electric locomotives|91]]
[[Category:25 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1988]]
[[Category:High-speed trains of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:GEC locomotives]]
[[Category:East Coast Main Line]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Great Britain]]