81001 light engine in the mist and drizzle at Rugby, 7th January 1976. The order for the first twenty five locomotives for the West Coast Main Line electrification was given to the British Thomson-Houston division of AEI (Associated Electrical Industries) in 1955, who subcontracted the mechanical construction to the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, of Smethwick, Birmingham. The first of the class, and the first new AC electric to be delivered was E3001 in November 1959. These twenty five locomotives became class 81 and E3001 became 81001 under the 1973 TOPS renumbering scheme. Three class 81s were removed from service prior to the class being renumbered in 1974 due to accident or fire damage. The first renumbered class 81 taken out of service was 81016, withdrawn in July 1983 and the class were steadily withdrawn over the next eight years with 81001 being a relatively early casualty in July 1984. It was broken up at Crewe works in September 1986.
81001 light engine in the mist and drizzle at Rugby, 7th January 1976. The order for the first twenty five locomotives for the West Coast Main Line electrification was given to the British Thomson-Houston division of AEI (Associated Electrical Industries) in 1955, who subcontracted the mechanical construction to the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, of Smethwick, Birmingham. The first of the class, and the first new AC electric to be delivered was E3001 in November 1959. These twenty five locomotives became class 81 and E3001 became 81001 under the 1973 TOPS renumbering scheme. Three class 81s were removed from service prior to the class being renumbered in 1974 due to accident or fire damage. The first renumbered class 81 taken out of service was 81016, withdrawn in July 1983 and the class were steadily withdrawn over the next eight years with 81001 being a relatively early casualty in July 1984. It was broken up at Crewe works in September 1986.
1st July 2009
1970/80's Modern Image - Electric Locomotives
John's Railway Gallery @ fotopic.net
The driver of 87027 looks back through the murk and gloom of Rugby station on a misty winters day for the “right away” from the guard of a southbound express for London Euston, 7th February 1976. At this point in time 87027 was less than two years old and the class 87’s were the newest and therefore the “top link” traction on the West Coast Main Line. The design was based closely on the preceding class 86 class in terms of equipment layout and overall appearance, but featured the loss of a route indicator box on the cab front, and two main windscreens replaced the three of all the earlier designs. The class was built at Crewe works between 1972 and 1974 with 87027 entering traffic in 1974. 87027 would spend the next thirty years pounding up and down the West Coast Main Line until displaced by class 390 Pendelino’s and was withdrawn in 2004. Following withdrawal it spent eighteen months dumped at Norwich Crown Point depot before being moved in May 2006 to await its fate at Long Marston, which could be a new lease of life in Bulgaria.Previous | Next87023 waits to depart Nuneaton with a southbound express for London Euston on a grey winters day 31st January 1976. The engine was still only two years old at this point in time having entered traffic in early 1974 and would remain on front line West Coast Main Line duties for thirty years until withdrawn in December 2004. It is currently (June 2009) awaiting its fate at Long Marston which could be a new lease of life in Bulgaria.

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