Having returned to the mainline in late 1996, D9000's path took an unexpected twistin late 97. Virgin Cross Country hired the loco for
two service train runs vice a class 86. The first was on Friday 14 November when the loco worked 1S46 0655 Birmingham New Street to
Glasgow Central. During this run, the loco was approved to be used at 100mph (it had previously only been approved for 90mph running).
The following day, the loco returned south on 1V96 0910 Edinburgh to Reading (which it worked as far as Birmingham), with which train
it is seen here passing Norton Bridge signalbox at speed, and bang on time.
Date: 15 November 1997