British Rail Class 81

Infobox Locomotive
name = British Railways AL1
British Rail Class 81
powertype = Electric

---

caption = A row of Class 81 locomotives waiting to be scrapped
roadnumber = E3001–E3023, E3096, E3097; later 81001–81022
builder = Associated Electrical Industries at Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
builddate = 1959–1964
gauge = RailGauge|ussg|lk=on|al=on
totalproduction = 25
electricsystem = 25 kV AC
collectionmethod = Stone-Faiverley ‘V’-type pantograph, 2 off (later 1 off)
tractionmotors = convert|847|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on AEI 189 quill drive, 4 off
whytetype = Bo-Bo
uicclass = Bo'Bo'
wheeldiameter = convert|4|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on
minimumcurve =
trainbrakes = Vacuum; Dual from 1972–1973
locobrakes = Air, Rheostatic
locobrakeforce =
wheelbase =
length = convert|56|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on
width = convert|8|ft|8+1/2|in|m|2|abbr=on
height = convert|12|ft|4+1/4|in|m|2|abbr=on
weight = convert|79.60|LT|1|lk=on
topspeed = convert|100|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|lk=on
poweroutput = convert|3200|hp|kW|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = convert|50000|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on
trainheating = Electric Train Heating
multipleworking =
axleloadclass = Route availability 6
railroad = British Rail
retiredate = 1968 (2), 1971 (1), 1983–1991
disposition = One preserved, remainder scrappedThe 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.

History

As part of the modernization of the West Coast Main Line which included electrification, 100 locomotives of five types were acquired. These were from different manufactures.

The first locomotives were of type AL1, twenty five being designed by the British Thomson-Houston division of AEI (Associated Electrical Industries) and built in 1959 under subcontract by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon in Smethwick .

The first engine was handed over to British Railways on November 27, 1959. They were originally used for crew training on the Styal Line between Manchester and Crewe.

They were numbered E3001 - E3023 and E3096 / E3097. The first twenty-three were Type A, geared for passenger trains while the last two were to have been Type B, geared for freight trains, 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

Power was provided by overhead catenary energized at 25,000 V AC.

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 were London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. They operated passenger trains, freight trains, and parcel trains.

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. The train it was pulling collided with a transporter on a level crossing. The remains of this locomotive were also scrapped at Crewe Works.

Renumbering

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

Accidents

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

External links

* [http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/ AC Locomotive Group - custodians of preserved locomotive no. 81002]