British Rail Class 81

British Railways AL1 British Rail Class 81
81017 at Manchester Piccadilly
Power type	Electric
Builder	Associated Electrical Industries at Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Build date	1959–1964
Total production	25
Configuration	Bo-Bo
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter	4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Length	56 ft 6 in (17.22 m)
Width	8 ft 8½ in (2.65 m)
Height	12 ft 4¼ in (3.77 m)
Weight	79.60 long tons (80.9 t)
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC
Current collection method	Stone-Faiveley ‘V’-type pantograph, 2 off (later 1 off)
Traction motors	847 hp (632 kW) AEI 189 quill drive, 4 off
Top speed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Power output	3,200 hp (2,390 kW)
Tractive effort	50,000 lbf (222 kN)
Train heating	Electric Train Heating
Locomotive brakes	Air, Rheostatic
Train brakes	Vacuum; Dual from 1972–1973
Career	British Rail
Number	E3001–E3023, E3096, E3097; later 81001–81022
Axle load class	Route availability 6
Retired	1968 (2), 1971 (1), 1983–1991
Preserved	81003
Disposition	Non-operational

The British Rail Class 81 is an AC electric locomotive that formerly operated on the West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region of British Rail. Originally designated AL1, it was the first type of AC electric locomotive to be delivered to British Railways.

History

As part of the modernization of the West Coast Main Line which included electrification, 100 locomotives of five types were acquired, each type from a different manufacturer.

The first locomotives to be delivered were of type AL1 designed by British Thomson-Houston (BTH), an order being placed for 25 examples. Of these, 23 were for use on passenger trains with a top speed on 100mph and were designated Type A. The two remaining locomotives were to be for use on freight trains with a top speed of 80mph, and were designated Type B.^[1]

Before the work was completed, BTH amalgamated with Metropolitan Vickers to form AEI (Associated Electrical Industries) traction division,^[1] and it was under this name that the locomotives were built in 1959 under subcontract by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon in Smethwick. The first engine, number E3001, was handed over to British Railways on November 27, 1959. The type initially being used for crew training on the Styal Line between Manchester and Crewe.

The AL1 were numbered E3001 - E3023 and E3096 / E3097; The first twenty-three were Type A, while the last two were to have been the Type Bs and numbered E3301 and E3302. However the last two were instead geared for passenger service, being delivered in February 1964 as E3096 and E3097.

Power supply

The locomotives always worked on power provided by overhead catenary energized at 25,000 V AC. However, the main transformer, normally operated with the four windings in series, could be operated at 6250V AC with the transformer windings in parallel.^[1]. This voltage was initially to be used where limited clearances gave concern over use of the higher voltage.

Operations

Due to the fact that they were restricted to those lines electrified at 25 kV AC they only operated on the West Coast Main Line. Cities where these engines could be seen included London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. They operated passenger trains, freight trains, and parcel trains. There is no record of operation on the Ex-Great Eastern line, which was being electrified at the time of their introduction, nor subsequently on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) when that was electrified in the 1980's.

Early withdrawals

Three locomotives, E3002, E3009, and E3019, were withdrawn before they could be renumbered under the TOPS system. E3002 and E3019 were damaged by fire and both were scrapped at British Rail Crewe Works. E3009 was destroyed in an accident at Hixon in 1968 when the train that it was pulling collided with a transporter lorry on a level crossing. The remains of this locomotive were also cut up at Crewe Works.

Renumbering

Under the TOPS system, twenty-two examples were reclassified as class 81 and numbered 81001 - 81022.

Accidents

81016 was one of a few Class 81 locomotives withdrawn as a result of accident damage.

A row of Class 81 locomotives waiting to be scrapped

In addition to the three examples withdrawn before renumbering under TOPS others were withdrawn as a result of damage after being renumbered.

81016 was involved in an accident on December 9, 1982 near Linslade, being officially withdrawn in 1983.

81001 was damaged by fire on August 26, 1983 near Carstairs on a Motorail train.

The end

Over the years examples of this class were withdrawn from service. The final examples were used for the transfer of empty coaches between London Euston Station and Willesden sidings between 1989 and 1991. The last two examples withdrawn from service were 81012 and 81017.

The majority of the class were scrapped at Coopers Metals in Sheffield.

Preservation

One example, 81002, has been preserved by the AC Locomotive Group, located at Barrow Hill Engine Shed.

Fleet details

References

External links

• Media related to British Rail Class 81 at Wikimedia Commons
• AC Locomotive Group - custodians of preserved locomotive no. 81002