British Railways A C Electric Locomotives

A Pictorial Guide

David Cable

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Transport
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781473896390
• Topic: Tecnologia e ingegneria
• Subtopic: Trasporti ferroviari

The genesis of 25kv overhead electrification began in the late 1960s on the West Coast Main Line, the 1980s for the East Anglian Main Line, and the East Coast Main Line in the late 1980s. Development took place in stages culminating in fully electrified lines from London to Scotland on both East and West Coast lines, and from London to Norwich. The introduction of these lines required the construction of new motive power.Initially five types were produced for the WCML, from which the second phase of loco design was developed, giving a higher level of reliability, as well as power output. These newer designs were applied to the Anglian services, but the ECML plans required an updated design, ostensibly for mixed traffic, but hardly ever used on anything other than express passenger services, for which their 140mph potential enabled a major recast of the timetable. The opening of the Channel Tunnel required a mixed traffic dual voltage locomotive, running on both 25kv and the Southern Region 750v third rail DC.The locomotives are classified between 81 and 92 inclusive, and this book of photographs by David Cable covers all the classes in a variety of locations and duties.

Class 80

The former gas turbine-powered engine, converted as a test bed for operation with 25KV overhead electrification, stands on Wath Shed after withdrawal. (DC Collection)

Class 81 Type AL1

Class 81 81018 is seen north of Berkhamstead in June 1975, with an unidentified Up express working. What the white embellishments between the first two vents are, I have no idea.

81002 is standing at Nuneaton in June 1976, waiting for its next turn of duty some time in the future.

A panned shot of 81007 seen working a Down express in August 1978.The view is taken at Horton, just north of Cheddington, a location now totally ruined by foliage.

81021 exits Tring Cutting and passes the cement works at Pitstone with a northbound Freightliner service in August 1978. Note at least one container in the original Freightliner colours.

81011 stands ready at Platform 1 at Euston to take the empty stock of an express back to the sidings at Stonebridge Park for cleaning. A class 08 keeps it company in October 1983.

The autumn mists are still hanging around at Ledburn Junction in October 1984, where 81020 passes with a northbound train of stone hoppers.

Identified as a class 81 by the white salmon emblem, but without being able to catch the number, a southbound freight train is seen just south of Carnforth in February 1985. Note the wide variety of rolling stock in this service.

81009 exits the yards at Mossend with a train of limestone empties in February 1989.Waiting for work in the yards are a class 08, a class 47 and a class 87.

Beautifully restored to its original Electric Blue colour scheme and number, class 81 E3003 is seen on display at the open day at Worksop in September 1993.

Class 82 Type AL2

Class 82 82004 stands in Manchester Piccadilly Station in June 1974, waiting for the right-away signal to depart with its train for Plymouth.

Class 82 82002 is about to enter Stowe Hill Tunnel with a Down express in September 1978. (Gavin Morrison)

Passing Charnock Richard, north of Wigan, in August 1981, 82008 is working a Crewe to Preston semi-fast service. (Gavin Morrison)

Class 82 82001 ...