Class 90 electrics in tandem.

[pre65]

There is a photo in the gallery showing two class 90 locos on a freight concist.

https://www.railwayforum.net/gallery...date=lastvisit

Two questions.

1) Why would any freight movement need that much horsepower, or is it in case one breaks down ?

2) I seem to remember reading that the current draw of two class 90s was too much for the overhead system in some locations, so the combination was effectively banned.

[JEB-245584/2]

There could be a few reasons for double heading Philip ,
More power, so the locos aren't working flat out.
Insurance if one breaks down.
Extra brake force to control the train.
Second loco could be on a balancing move , so rather than run it light loco and pay for track access charges , crew etc, attach it onto another train.

You are correct about class 90's double heading but as far as I recall it's only on the Great Eastern mainline.
The West Coast overheads are rated higher for " juice extraction" so double heading is the norm .

Cheers John