On 18 and 20 March 2026, 89001 worked its first loaded test runs in preservation, after obtaining unrestricted approval to run on the main line network, between Crewe and Tebay and return. The train load was provided by Locomotive Services Ltd vehicles and consisted of Mk.3 Driving Van Trailer 82139, six Mk.3 carriages and electric locomotive 86101 dead in train as backup. 89001 was run-round the train at Tebay to ensure that both driving cabs were fully exercised during these test runs.
89001 and 90001 shared test runs between Crewe and Preston on 17 June 2026, with 89001 working northbound and 90001 working southbound.
On 14 July 2026, 89001 worked the Locomotive Services Ltd.'s "Chairman's Train" from Carlisle to London Euston. This included some "firsts" for 89001: its first solo runs in preservation with no backup loco, its first Class 1 passenger train in preservation, and the first time ever the locomotive had worked into London Euston.
On 18 August 2026, 89001 worked "The Avocet Achievement" railtour under the LSL InterCity branding, the locomotive's first public passenger train in preservation. The railtour started at Crewe and was booked to call at Preston and Carlisle en route to Glasgow Central, returning via the same calling points. Unfortunately, after leaving Crewe, 89001's Field Battery Charger tripped out: this fault prevents the loco from drawing traction power. It was reset near Hartford and the train continued, but the Field Battery Charger tripped out again near Moore and this time would not reset. The train was able to coast to Warrington Bank Quay and stop in the platform there, where the loco was declared a failure. Rather than abandon the day completely, LSL's 90001 was summoned from Crewe and then worked the train to Carlisle, and then back from there to Crewe. With the fault known to be in a specifc area it was considered that a repair would be very quick, and within a few days a repeat of the tour was advertised for 7 October 2026.