These locomotives were introduced with the opening of the Channel Tunnel, and still haul all freight services through the tunnel itself. They are the only duel-voltage locomotives in Britain, able to work in the Southern Region third rail as well as the 25kV overhead in the tunnel and on the WCML.

Though they have never worked deeper into France, they haul many international trains through to their destinations in Britain, which sees them working the length of the West Coast Main Line. They also work as a heavy haul freight locomotive for some domestic traffic, as well as being the motive power for the Caledonian Sleeper.

As the one significant present-day locomotive that’s not available in ready-to-run form (unless you count the hand-made CJM model), it ought to be a popular choice, and complements Revolution’s existing Pendolino. So it’s unfortunate that we have ended up with two rival crowdfunding projects underway for the same locomotive, the other being from DJM. Hopefully at least one of the two will get a sufficient number of backers to go ahead.