BR Class 90 No.90028 'Sir William McAlpine' DB Cargo

Locomotion Models and the Bachmann Collectors Club have joined forces to release this striking model of Class 90 electric locomotive No.90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ in DB Cargo livery. 300 OO scale models have been released in DCC READY format for Locomotion Models, while 200 OO scale models have been released with DCC SOUND to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club.

Model Details:
- DCC Ready – 21 Pin Decoder Socket
- OO Gauge
- DB Cargo Red No.90028 'Sir William McAlpine'
- 32-616NRM

Fifty Class 90 locomotives were ordered by British Rail in 1986 to replace the ageing Class 85 fleet on West Coast Main Line duties. Construction of the 110mph rated locomotives was completed by British Rail Engineering Limited in 1990. They subsequently saw service with several operators and have carried numerous different liveries since 1994. On 11th January 2019, DB Schenker named Class 90 locomotive No. 90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ at the National Railway Museum in York. To mark the occasion, a special train was hauled non-stop from Kings Cross by ‘Flying Scotsman’ and returned with the newly named electric locomotive. Both locomotives posed for photographs outside the museum as a tribute to a remarkable man.

Sir William McAlpine, a lifelong railway enthusiast, passed away on 4th March 2018. He had joined the family construction company straight from school eventually becoming the Director responsible for its operations in Scotland. He bought, for himself, their last steam locomotive in 1961 for £100 and built a railway for it to run on at his Buckinghamshire home. Then in 1973 he rescued ‘Flying Scotsman’ from the USA purchasing it from the receivers after a failed tour retaining part ownership until 1996.Sir William became involved in railway preservation and was the first Chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust.

At the event which was held on the museum’s Great Hall turntable, DB Cargo/LNER Class 90 locomotive no.90028 was officially named Sir William McAlpine. The newly named locomotive then joined Flying Scotsman in the museum’s North Yard to give people the chance to see both locomotives side by side.

Flying Scotsman began the day by leading a special memorial trip from London King’s Cross to York named ‘Scotsman Salute’ in Sir William’s honour. Hundreds of people attended at the museum and at York station to see the famous engine and to remember Sir William McAlpine’s lasting contribution to preserving the UK’s railway heritage.

The event was attended by Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, representatives from the rail industry, Lady Judy McAlpine and other members of Sir William’s family.

Jim Lowe, Head of Operations at the National Railway Museum, said: “On behalf of myself, colleagues and volunteers I would like to publicly thank Sir William for his significant contribution to the museum and to the wider preservation of Flying Scotsman and railway heritage in this country.”