The AC Locomotive Group

Class 86 Photo Gallery

Electrical Equipment: English Electric / Associated Electrical Industries
Mechanical Construction: English Electric (Vulcan Foundry)
Built: 1966

86401 on a Caledonian Sleeper working at London Euston86401 on a Caledonian Sleeper working at London Euston

86401 Mons Meg nameplate86401 Northampton Town nameplate86401 Hertfordshire Railtours nameplate

86401 represents the 86/4 subclass, which were generally used in later years on mail and parcels services, although this didn't stop examples being found on express passenger duties from time to time.

86401 was the first Class 86 to be preserved, being purchased from EWS in June 2004, in full working order. It had been withdrawn in 2003 following the cessation of mail traffic by rail.

86401 was scheduled to be named "The Chartered Institute of Transport", but the plates were never affixed. Instead it was named "Northampton Town" on 13th May 1989 but the plates were removed in November 1991. It was named "Hertfordshire Rail Tours" on 15th October 1998, the plates remaining in place until withdrawal at the end of 2002.

As the only AC electric to legitimately carry Network SouthEast livery, it was restored to the scheme in 2005 for the Crewe Works Open Days with sponsorship from the Webb Crewe Works Open Weekend Committee, where it was rechristened "Northampton Town".

In 2015 86401 was restored to full main line running order, to provide support for 86101 and 87002 on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper contract. To comply with the latest main line requirements the loco was fitted with a Vacuum Circuit Breaker, OTMR (Data Recorder) and GSM-R radio. The "Northampton Town" name plates were removed and replaced by "Mons Meg", the name of a mediaeval bombard (cannon) on display at Edinburgh Castle. 86401 performed a solo main line test run from Willesden TMD to Watford Junction, Euston and back to Willesden on 4th August 2015. After a further test run, from Willesden to Bletchley and back, 86401 worked its first commercial train in preservation, 5M16 empty coaches from the Lowland Caledonian Sleeper, from London Euston to Wembley Inter City Depot on the morning of 8th August 2015.

86401 was sold to West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) on 14th February 2020.

86401 had travelled 17669 miles in 4 years as a main-line-registered Electric Traction Ltd. locomotive.

86213

86213 at Barrow Hill

86401

86401at Crewe Electric Traction Depot

to 1969

The AL6 design was produced ostensibly from the experience gained with the first five designs in the early years of the WCML electrification. It featured a general construction design and bogies closely following those of the AL5, high-tension tap changing (power control) pioneered on the AL2 and a completely modular interior based around the concept of four 'power packs', one for each traction motor.

In a departure from the styling of the AL1-AL5 fleet, the AL6s featured squared-off front ends, as opposed to the raked back noses of the earlier designs. The three window arrangement was retained, as was the headcode box. Another significant change was the lack of a second pantograph when built.

Two builders were responsible for the construction of the 100 locomotives. BR Doncaster was given the job of completing 60 locomotives, while Vulcan Foundry was to build 40. Eventually the numbers were reversed with VF building the majority due to capacity problems at Doncaster. Electrical equipment was supplied by AEI and English Electric, and one area that received special attention was that of noise levels. The cooling fans on the AL6 were specially designed to avoid the sometimes deafening roar produced by the earlier locos!

The first locomotives from each manufacturer were noted on test in January 1965, however build dates, first testing dates, first passenger traffic dates and introduction dates for the AL6s were so varied that it is almost impossible to state which locomotives came first. E3101 and E3161 were amongst the first locos sighted, and E3173 (of which more later) is often quoted as the first delivered, though two locos became the first to haul passenger trains, both being charged with football specials in May 1965. Official introduction didn't come until August of the same year.

In a change of livery form the earlier classes, the AL6s all emerged painted in Rail Blue (Monastral Blue), with white cab window surrounds and and white cab roof (this latter being slightly debatable as some photographic evidence tents to suggest that cab roofs were either perpetually filthy or a very light Dove Grey) and not the Electric Blue of the early classes. The first AL6s entered traffic without yellow warning panels, though these were not absent from the locomotives for long. When first introduced the AL6s built at Doncaster featured red bufferbeams and Vulcan Foundry built locomotives Rail Blue  The original number series was E3101 - E3200.

The whole fleet was delivered within 24 months, however, and the class soon settled down to regular service on a variety of trains, including pick-up goods! Two designs of traction motor were used on the fleet, with slightly different gear ratios, but with little impact on performance in the early years.

One significant failure of the AL6 design was that of the traction motor mounting and bogie design. In the early designs, bogie-frame-mounted motors had been used with flexible drives to the axles. To reduce costs on the AL6 the motors were mounted directly on the axles, the justification for this being that 'dipped joint' tests on the East Coast Mainline where diesel locomotives with axle hung traction motors operated had shown there to be no issues with excessive track forces. Unfortunately the testing had actually shown that even the considerably lighter motors on the diesel locomotives did could cause excessive forces, the 'high force' result had been dismissed as an instrumentation error. It was soon found that the excess of unsprung weight and inadequate damping on the bogies lead to terrible riding and serious track damage at high speed. By the late 1960s the AL6s were causing serious concerns and the RTC in Derby started experiments to investigate if the bogie design could be improved, before the investigations had progressed too far reports came back from staff that they did not need instruments to analyse how rough the ride was on the locmotives, anything loose in the cab being thrown on to the floor at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. The rough riding of the AL6s ultimately lead to serious consequences for the locomotives with weld fractures and other mechanical damage leading to an increasing number of bogies being sidelined for repair at Crewe works.

In 1969, one locomotive, E3173, was fitted experimentally with additional suspension in the form of large helical 'flexicoil' springs in groups of three on each side of each bogie, supporting the body. The trials with the loco, which was nicknamed 'Zebedee', were a success, and eventually led to the design being fitted to the whole fleet. Following on from E3173 the Bogie Design section at Derby undertook an extensive redesign of the AL6 bogie to produce the 86/2 bogie; the bogie frames were completely redesigned and rebuilt to incorporate 'flexicoil' springs, new lateral and vertical dampers and the fitting of SAB Resilient wheels. With the benefit of computer simulation programmes such as BR Researchs VAMPIRE the dynamics of the revised bogie were analysed and the resulting locomotives were a revelation.

1970 to 1979

E3173 went on to perform an important role in the development of the HST or InterCity 125. Prior to the prototype of this train being built, E3173 was fitted with an aerodynamic nose and ran a series of high-speed tests in the Tring area, measuring air resistance and pressure effects in tunnels. It is reported that the loco reached 129 mph during these tests, becoming the first UK loco to beat Mallard's record! BR chose not to publicise the event, however, as they were expecting better things from their HST, and didn't want to overshadow the new train.

The first significant change to the Class 86 fleet (as it became known in the early 70s) was the separation of the class into two principle sub classes, determined by the traction motor type. The 86/0s were the standard loco, essentially as built, and were generally restricted to freight and slower passenger duties, with their maximum speed dropped from 100 mph to 80 mph. The 86/2s became the high-speed passenger locomotives, all being fitted with revised bogies. Forty-nine locomotives were originally converted, increased soon afterwards to 58. As traction motor types were distributed amongst the fleet seemingly at random, renumbering from the original E3XXX series to the new TOPS series was also essentially random, so, for instance, 86001 was not previously E3101.

In addition, three further locos were modified. Initially numbered with the 86/2s (86201-203), these were modified with new bogies of a design developed for use in the Class 87s, then under development. They were renumbered as Class 86/1s, taking the series 86101 - 86103, and undertook special testing, particularly on the northern stretches of the WCML as the line was electrified, in preparation for the new locos.

By the mid 1970s, all the 86s were in Rail Blue livery with aluminium BR double-arrows on each side, however in the late 1970s and early 1980s, several 86/2s were selected to receive names following the change in BR policy towards named locomotives. Two 86/2s were treated to a special livery to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Rainhill Trials in 1979; 86214 Sans Pareil and 86235 Novelty (both named after locomotives that took part in the original trials), were given large bodyside numbers and a full height emblem marking the event. They also received full yellow cabs and black window surrounds after a short time, being the first locos to carry the style that later developed into Large Logo Blue.

Eventually all the 86/1s and 86/2s received names, and many of the freight fleet have also been named as the years have passed. A number of the freight locos were fitted with multiple working equipment compatible with the Class 87s during this period, the addition of hefty jumper cables to the nose end being especially obvious.

By the late 1970s, the 86/0 fleet were still causing problems due to bad riding and track damage. In addition, there was a need for more 100 mph-capable locomotives. Nineteen 86/0s were modified by the use of SAB resilient wheels - a new design of wheel in two sections separated by a rubber bearing. The converted locos (86011 - 86029) were renumbered into the 86/3 series (86311 - 86329).

1980 to 1989

Still more 100 mph locos were needed, however, and a further conversion programme was undertaken, fitting all the 86/3s and 86/0s with flexicoil suspension, and fitting the 86/0s with SAB wheels, standardising the whole lot as Class 86/4, renumbered appropriately. Thus by the mid 1980s, all 100 locos were a near-standard interchangeable fleet. A number of 86/2s were moved to the Great Eastern for use on the newly electrified line to Ipswich and later Norwich. The fleet was flexible and saw locos move back and forth from the WCML at irregular intervals.

In 1986 two Class 86s locos were written off in the fatal Colwich crash. These were 86211 City of Milton Keynes (the only 86 never to receive a version of InterCity livery) and 86429 The Times (originally E3200 - the last numbered loco).

Sectorisation in the late 1980s then split the fleet up once again, with the 86/4s moving to dedicated parcels and freight use, and the 86/2s remaining on InterCity passenger services. Many 86/4s had their train heating capabilities removed, with other modifications, and became Class 86/6s, with a reduced maximum speed of 75 mph. These generally operated in pairs on long-distance freight services.

At the end of the 1980s, the Freightliner subsector required a fleet of electric locomotives for dedicated Freightliner use, and so ten 86/2s were earmarked for regearing and removal of train heating. Nine of these were renumbered into a new Class 86/5 series before the InterCity sector demanded the locos back and they reverted to their 86/2 identities!

The increased use of fixed-formation trainsets, coupled with the delivery of new DVT (Driving Van Trailer) vehicles, saw the 86s modified with Time Division Multiplex (TDM) multiple working equipment. Railway Clearing House (RCH)-style jumpers were added to the cab fronts of all locos, used to control the loco whilst propelling for the 86/2s, and for general multiple working amongst the other sub-classes. The 86/4s and 86/6s lost their original multiple-working equipment soon afterwards.

1990 to 1999

At the dawn of Privatisation, the 86 fleet was divested to a number of owners and operators. The 86/1s and the majority of 86/2s passed to Eversholt Leasing Company (later Forward Trust, and later still HSBC) and hired to InterCity West Coast and InterCity Cross Country (later Virgin West Coast and Virgin Cross Country). A small fleet of seven 86/2s passed to Rail Express Systems and later EWS, together with the eight remaining 86/4s. Ten 86/6s moved to the Freightliner business, with the remainder becoming the property of Porterbrook Leasing, leased back to Freightliner.

The third loss to the fleet came in 1997 when 86239 L S Lowry was written off in the Stafford crash, however a number of locos began to be stored in the late 1990s as strategic reserves or unofficially as 'Christmas Trees' for spare parts. Some eventually returned to service, while others did not.

2000 to 2009

Freightliner chose one of their locomotives for special re-gearing trials in 2000, and 86608 was renumbered 86501, just to confuse anyone who thought that 86258 had been 86501 for a while in 1989. This loco re-entered service but remained a one-off conversion.

In mid 2002, Virgin Trains replaced all its Cross Country loco-hauled services with new stock, displacing the dedicated 86/2s which were placed into store. On a more positive note, however, Virgin, Alstom (who maintained the fleet) and HSBC agreed to repaint one of the remaining West Coast 86/2s into a good approximation of original Electric Blue livery. 86233 (E3172) was the chosen loco, renamed Alstom Heritage on the occasion of its unveiling.

2002 also saw the start of disposals, with 86219 Phoenix having the dubious distinction of being the first to be cut up. Several other locos, including numerical pioneer E3101 (86252), 86103 and 86204 (E3173 - 'Zebedee') also met their end during the year.

86s on West Coast Main Line passenger services all but ceased in 2003, leaving Anglia to continue alone until the end of 2004 when their last three locos were due to be taken out of service. Many off-lease locos were stored during 2003, however a good number were sent almost immediately for scrap. By the end of 2004 no less than 25 locos had been disposed of or sold for scrap. Meanwhile The AC Locomotive Group purchased 86401 from EWS in June 2004.

Anglia surprised everyone by retaining a couple of 86/2s for most of 2005, but the end finally came on 17th September when 86235 ran its last diagram. In the meantime, two further 86/2s (86210 and 86253) gained a new lease of life, being converted into new Mobile Load Bank machines numbered 86902 and 86901 respectively. A third 86/2 took on a new aspect as 86258 was moved to Brush Loughborough for conversion to a battery powered short-haul locomotive.

86213 had been on loan from HSBC to The AC Locomotive Group since November 2002 and, along with 86101, was purchased by the Group in 2005. Initially stored at Barrow Hill, 86213 was moved in 2005 to Wembley for use as a train supply locomotive. 86101 had been stored unused for some years but was moved to Barrow Hill in 2006 for restoration to start. 86101 became the first preserved AC electric locomotive to operate on the main line on 15th March 2007, and it became the first preserved AC electric locomotive to operate a charter train on 24th March 2007, from Carlisle to Crewe and back.

West Midlands radio presenter Les Ross purchased 86259 from HSBC in 2007, and it was restored to main line running order in 2008.

86101 was hired to Hull Trains in late 2007 for use on weekend services between London Kings Cross and Doncaster. These services ran from 11th January 2008 to 20th April 2008. Thus 86101 became the first preserved AC electric locomotive to work scheduled passenger services. The services required use of the Time Division Multiplex (TDM) remote control system, and sustained running at 110 mph.

In 2008 Europhoenix Ltd. completed a deal to purchase the remaining HSBC Class 86/2 fleet, numbering 23 locomotives, with the intention of overhauling some of them for use in Europe and the UK. 86248 and 86250 were sold to Hungarian private open access freight operator Floyd, and were delivered in February and May 2009, becoming Hungarian class 450. Trials with these locos were successful and up to eight further locos will be exported: delivered so far are 86232 (April 2010), 86218 (February 2011), 86215 (May 2012) and 86217 (February 2013).

Also during 2009, Europhoenix prepared 86205 and 86260 for use by Electric Traction Ltd as "commercial" locomotives to supplement "preserved" locomotives 86101 and 87002. Becoming 86701 and 86702 respectively, they have been approved for use at 110 mph.

Since general withdrawal from service in 2005, a number of the poorest quality 86/2s have been scrapped, including 86258, the conversion project being abandoned. The Class 86 situation in July 2012 was as follows:

  • 86/1: 1 in traffic with The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86101)
  • 86/2: 1 in traffic with Les Ross (86259), 1 preserved by The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86213), 8 stored (of which 4 are expected to be exported to Hungary), 1 being used as a spares source
  • 86/4: 1 preserved by The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86401), 1 being used as a spares source by Electric Traction (86424)
  • 86/5: 1 in traffic with Freightliner
  • 86/6: 16 in traffic with Freightliner
  • 86/7: 2 in traffic with Electric Traction
  • 86/9: 2 stored, not being used

2010 to 2019

86233 was sent to Bulgaria in October 2012 for use by open access freight operator Bulmarket as a spares donor for 87009, 87017, 87023 and 87025.

86621 was scrapped at LNWR Crewe in April 2013.

Hungarian open access freight operator Floyd received two further operational locomotives in August 2013 (86228 and 86242) and also 86424 for use as a spares donor.

86401 was selected for preparation for mainline operation for the Serco Caledonian Sleeper contract, moving to Leicester TMD in February 2015, then via Loughborough (for repainting) and on to Willesden in June 2015.

86246 was moved to Willesden TMD in June 2015 to act as a spares donor.

The Class 86 situation in June 2015 was as follows:

  • 86/1: 1 in traffic with The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86101)
  • 86/2: 1 in traffic with Les Ross (86259), 1 preserved by The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86213), 5 stored, 2 being used as spares donors.
  • 86/4: 1 being prepared for mainline use by The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86401)
  • 86/5: 1 in traffic with Freightliner
  • 86/6: 15 in traffic with Freightliner
  • 86/7: 2 in traffic with Electric Traction
  • 86/9: 2 stored, not being used

86401 performed a solo main line test run from Willesden TMD to Watford Junction, Euston and back to Willesden on 4th August 2015. After a further test run, from Willesden to Bletchley and back, 86401 worked its first commercial train in preservation, 5M16 empty coaches from the Lowland Caledonian Sleeper, from London Euston to Wembley Inter City Depot on the morning of 8th August 2015.

The 2000 re-gearing conversion 86501 was converted back to standard 86/6 86608 in March 2016.

In March 2016 a further series of sales of Class 86 locomotives was announced. 86213, 86231, 86234, 86235, 86701 and 86702 were sold to Bulmarket in Bulgaria. 86229 and 86251 were sold to Freightliner for spares. 86246 remained at Willesden TMD as a spares donor.

The Class 86 situation in early April 2016 was as follows:

  • 86/1: 1 in traffic with The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86101)
  • 86/2: 1 in traffic with Les Ross (86259); 4 sold for export; 3 being used as spares donors
  • 86/4: 1 in traffic with The AC Locomotive Group/Electric Traction (86401)
  • 86/6: 16 in traffic with Freightliner
  • 86/7: 2 sold for export
  • 86/9: 2 stored, not being used

In November 2016, 86246 was moved from Willesden TMD via Wembley to the C.F.Booth scrapyard at Rotherham. 86902, resident at the same scrapyard since January 2014, was cut up there in November 2016.

In Bulgaria, some of the class 86 exports for Bulmarket completed their conversions. This included replacement of their SAB resliient wheels with solid wheel pans, and fitting of the "freight" (22/65) gear ratio. To avoid conflict with the former Danish EA Class locomotives, which already use the Bulgarian Class 86 series, initially the UK exports took the number series from 87701 onwards. First to be converted were 86701 (to 87701), 86702 (to 87702), 86213 (to 87703) and 86235 (to 87704). However by early 2017 there had been a change of heart, and the former class 86s started to be renumbered again as Bulgarian Class 85. 87701 (former 86701) became 85001, 87702 (former 86702) became 85002, 87703 (former 86213) became 85003 and 87704 (former 86235) became 85004; all retained their nameplates as exported. In addition, the conversion of 86231 was completed, the loco becoming 85006 and carrying the "Lady of the Lake" nameplates, completing what British Rail failed to do many years ago. Later in 2017, the former 86234 was also converted, to 85006, but remaining un-named.

In Hungary, during 2018, the former 86424 was put into working order as 450 009.

86901 was moved to Sandbach and scrapped there in June 2018.

2020 onwards

Following completion of the Caledonian Sleeper contract in October 2019, there was little prospect of further work for 86101 (and 87002), and both were sold to Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL) in November 2019. 86401 was sold to West Coast Railways in February 2020.

The Class 86 situation in early May 2020 was as follows:

  • 86/1: 1 in traffic with Locomotive Services Ltd (86101)
  • 86/2: 1 in traffic with Les Ross (86259)
  • 86/4: 1 in traffic with West Coast Railways (86401)
  • 86/6: 14 in traffic and 2 stored with Freightliner

There are 9 operational 86s in Hungary, plus 6 operational 86s in Bulgaria (and one as a spares donor). All these are now using solid wheel pans and have the freight gear ratio, so are effectively 86/6s; most also have two pantographs. By way of a summary, the exported 86s have been renumbered as follows. Note that in Bulgaria class 86 had already been used for the former Danish EA class locomotives, hence the initial use of class 87 (which was then seen to be a mistake) then class 85.

Last UK Number Country First Export Number Later Export Number Latest UIC Number Name Carried
86213 Bulgaria 87 703 85 003 91 52 00 85 003-9 Lancashire Witch
86215 Hungary 450 005  - 91 55 0450 005-8 -
86217 Hungary 450 006 - 91 55 0450 006-6  -
86218 Hungary 450 004 - 91 55 0450 004-1 -
86228 Hungary 450 007 - 91 55 0450 007-4 -
86231 Bulgaria 85 005  - 91 52 00 85 005-4 Lady of the Lake
86232 Hungary 450 003 - 91 55 0450 003-3  -
86234 Bulgaria 85 006 - 91 52 00 85 006-2 -
86235 Bulgaria 87 704 85 004 91 52 00 85 004-7 Novelty
86242 Hungary 450 008 - 91 55 0450 008-2 -
86248 Hungary 450 001 - 91 55 0450 001-7 -
86250 Hungary 450 002 - 91 55 0450 002-5 -
86424 Hungary 450 009 - 91 55 0450 009-0 -
86701 Bulgaria 87 701 85 001 91 52 00 85 001-3 Orion
86702 Bulgaria 87 702 85 002 91 52 00 85 002-1 Cassiopeia

 

In February 2021, Freightliner stored all their 86/6 locomotives in sidings in Basford Hall yard. That ended the regular usage in the UK of this class of locomotives.

In mid 2023 all 16 stored Freightliner 86/6 locomotives were exported to Bulgaria:

  • In July 2023: 86608, 86609, 86610, 86622, 86632, 86638 and 86639.
  • In August 2023: 86604, 86605, 86607, 86612, 86613, 86614, 86627, 86628 and 86637.

The best examples of the exported 86/6s have been overhauled and converted (as required) to the same basic specification as the older exports by Express Service at Ruse, and returned to working order:

  • Former 86632, now 85632 (UIC 91 52 00 85 632-5) in Express Service livery in March 2024.
  • Former 86637, now 85637 (UIC 91 52 00 85 637-4) in Rail Net Cargo livery in March 2024.

86101, 86259 and 86401 continue to operate occasional charter trains with LSL, Les Ross (for WCRC) and WCRC respectively.

86401 in RES livery86401 in RES livery

Despite carrying the number 86001 for part of its life, this loco was not even remotely the first class 86! It was built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and introduced as E3199 (second-last in the original numbering sequence - but not even remotely the second-last loco built) in January 1966. E3199 led an unremarkable early career: first allocated to the ACL, or 'AC Lines', code. Following the opening of Willesden Depot, all the 86s were transferred to the London shed.

When TOPS renumbering was carried out, E3199 became the first of the subclass 86/0, numbered 86001 in May 1973. While about half the class was modified with flexicoil suspension and resilient wheels and became Class 86/2, the remaining locos were unmodified and were renumbered into the 86/0 series. E3199 was likely to have been outshopped in the early version of Rail Blue (Monastral Blue?) in the "electric blue" style; it was later repainted into standard Rail Blue with full yellow ends.

The 86/0s were downgraded to 80 mph locos to reduce track wear, and this made them more suitable for freight use. 86001 was soon fitted with 34-way jumper cables for multiple-working with other 86/0s and 87s. Whilst a number of 86/0s were converted to 86/3s in the early 1980s, 86001 was not one of them, and had to wait until December 1986 for refurbishment and renumbering to 86401. Again, the number did not indicate by any stretch that it was the first 86/4 created - plenty of others were running whilst the loco was still 86001!

The 86/4 refurbishment was more-or-less to the same standards as the 86/2s, with flexicoil suspension and SAB resilient wheels fitted. With this, 86401 was once more a 100 mph locomotive.

The loco's conversion coincided with the inauguration of electric passenger services to Cambridge, and for the launch 86401 was outshopped in full Network SouthEast livery - the only AC electric locomotive so treated. It was named "Northampton Town" in May 1989, while in use on the famous "Cobbler" Northampton commuter services. Despite its NSE branding, 86401 could be seen all over the BR AC electrified network, working as far north as Glasgow and Mossend.

After the sectorisation of BR, 86401 became the property of the Parcels division, later Rail Express Systems (RES), and was repainted into their red and grey livery around 1992, losing its name at about the same time. Some reports suggest that the loco also carried the plain parcels livery for a short time. Following privatisation, 86401 passed to EWS and received their red and gold livery in October 1998 when it was named "Hertfordshire Rail Tours".

Like 86213, 86401 was one of the exhibits at the Crewe Electric Depot Staff Open Day in November 2001, alongside 82008 and 83012 from the AC Loco Group's fleet.

Withdrawal came in December 2002 and the loco was eventually offered for sale in 2004. It was purchased in June 2004 through the Group's 86/87 Project

86401 prior to the naming ceremony at Crewe Works in 200586401 prior to the naming ceremony at Crewe Works in 2005

86401 was purchased in June 2004 by the Group's 86/87 Project. It remained at Crewe Electric for about 12 months before being moved to the LNWR workshops and repainted into Network SouthEast colours. The repaint was sponsorship by the Webb Crewe Works Open Weekend Committee, and the loco was renamed "Northampton Town" at the Crewe Works Open Days in September.

Following a brief period in store at LNWR Crewe, the loco was moved to Long Marston for a full E-exam: unfortunately problems were found with one of the wheelsets. While replacements were being sourced, it was moved to Willesden TMD to act as a shunting and train heat supply loco.

86401 was moved to LNWR Crewe in February 2011 to receive replacement bogies from 86424, returning to Willesden in March 2012.

In February 2015 it was announced that 86401 would be restored to full main line running order, to provide support for 86101 and 87002 on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper contract. 86401 was moved from Willesden to the former Leicester TMD in February 2015 to allow the significant amount of work to be carried out. As well as receiving a full E-exam the loco has had work carried out on the body and sanding system. To comply with the latest main line requirements the loco has also been fitted with a Vacuum Circuit Breaker, OTMR (Data Recorder) and GSM-R radio.

On 12th May 2015 86401 was moved to the Wabtec (Brush) works at Loughborough for repainting into the Serco Caledonian Sleeper colour scheme; then on 29th May 2015 the loco was moved to Wembley Inter City Depot to visit the wheel lathe there. 86401 was later moved the short distance to Willesden TMD for final commissioning to be carried out

The "Northampton Town" name plates were removed and replaced in May 2015 by "Mons Meg", the name of a mediaeval bombard (cannon) on display at Edinburgh Castle.

86401 performed a solo main line test run from Willesden TMD to Watford Junction, Euston and back to Willesden on 4th August 2015.

After a further test run, from Willesden to Bletchley and back, 86401 worked its first commercial train in preservation, 5M16 empty coaches from the Lowland Caledonian Sleeper, from London Euston to Wembley Inter City Depot on the morning of 8th August 2015.

With the introduction during 2019 of the new Mk.5 Sleeper Carriages, which 86401 cannot haul, there was no longer a requirement for the locomotives to be hired for the Serco Caledonian Sleeper workings. 86401's last Sleeper working was on 6th March 2019, when the loco worked 5M11 from Euston to Wembley Inter City Depot.

A number of avenues were explored across the UK industry in hope that further contracted work could be found for the main line fleet. As this became increasingly unlikely alternate options were considered. The priority was continued operation in the UK. On 14th February 2020 the sale of 86401 to West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) was announced with immediate effect.

86401 had travelled 17669 miles in 4 years as a main-line-registered Electric Traction Ltd. locomotive. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Original Number E3199
Original BR TOPS Number 86001
Second BR TOPS Number 86401
Network Rail TOPS Number 86401

GENERAL DETAILS - CLASS 86/4

Type / Class AL6 / 86
Original BR 1957 Number Series Various from E3101-E3200
BR TOPS Original Number Series 86001-86048, later 86001-86039.
BR TOPS Renumbered 86001-86010, 86030-86039, 86311-86329
BR TOPS Renumbered 86401-86439
Introduced 1965-66

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Builder BR Doncaster (E3101-E3140), English Electric, Vulcan Foundry (E3141-E3200)
Electrical Equipment Manufacturer AEI / English Electric

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS - CLASS 86/4

Weight In Working Order 83 - 84 tonnes
Length Over Buffers 58' 6"
Width 8' 8 1/4"
Height Over Body 12' 4 1/4"
Height Over Pantograph (lowered) 13' 0 1/4"
Wheelbase 43' 6 1/8"
Bogie Wheelbase 10' 9"
Bogie Pivot Centres 32' 9"
Wheel Diameter 3' 9 1/2"
Minimum Curve 6 chains

PERFORMANCE DETAILS - CLASS 86/4

Maximum Speed 100 mph
Horsepower 3600 hp
Maximum Rail Horsepower 5900 hp at 38 mph
Maximum Tractive Effort 58000 lb
Continuous Tractive Effort 20000 lb at 67 mph
Brake Force 40 tons
Electric Train Heating Index 74

EQUIPMENT DETAILS - CLASS 86/4

Transformer and Control Gear Oil cooled, High-Tension tap changer.
Rectifier Type Air cooled silicon semi-conducting
Bogie Type Fabricated steel, Alsthom & Flexicoil suspension
Circuit Breaker Type Air Blast, later Vacuum. 86401: Vacuum.
Traction Motor Type AEI 282 AZ 4-pole (900hp)
Traction Motor Drive Single reduction gear
Gear Ratio 22/65
Pantograph Type Originally 90 fitted with Stone Faiveley AMBR Mk1 "bicycle frame" and 10 with AEI "cross-arm". Later various swaps. Some fitted with Brecknell-Willis "high-speed" pantograph. 86401: Brecknell-Willis "high-speed" pantograph.
Locomotive Brake Type Air and Rheostatic
Train Brake Type Air and Vacuum, some later air only. 86401: air only.

E (1965)86/0 (1973)86/2 (1973)86/1 (1974)86/3 (1980)86/4 (1985)86/5 (1988)86/2 (1989)86/6 (1989)86/4 (1992)86/6 (1993)86/7 (2009)86/9 (2004)Last NumberExport NumberBuilderBuild DateIntroStatusNotesName
E3101 86252 86252DoncasterJan-65Aug-65Scrapped 2002: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalThe Liverpool Daily Post (1980-2000)
Sheppard 100 (2000-2001)
E310286009 86409 86609 86609DoncasterMar-65Aug-65
E310386004 86404 86604 86604DoncasterJan-65Aug-65
E310486010 86410 86610 86610DoncasterJan-65Oct-65
E310586030 86430 86430DoncasterFeb-65Jun-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth, RotherhamScottish National Orchestra (1987-1991)
Saint Edmund (1996-2002)
E3106 86214 86214DoncasterFeb-65Jun-65Scrapped 2006: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamOriginally allocated name 'Sanspareil'.Sans Pareil (1981-2005)
E3107 86248 8624891 55 0450 001-7DoncasterMar-65Oct-65Exported 02/2009: HungarySir Clwyd County of Clwyd (1981-?)
E310886038 86438 86638 86638DoncasterApr-65Jun-65
E310986016 8631686416 8661686416 86416DoncasterApr-65Jun-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth, RotherhamWigan Pier (1984-1992)
E311086027 8632786427 86627 86627DoncasterApr-65Jun-65The Industrial Society (1985-1999)
E311186024 8632486424 8642491 55 0450 009-0DoncasterMay-65Jun-65Exported 08/2013: Hungary
E311286006 86406 86606 86606DoncasterMay-65Aug-65Scrapped 2007: Ron Hull Jr, Rotherham
E3113 86232 8623291 55 0450 003-3DoncasterMay-65Aug-65Exported 04/2010: HungaryHarold Macmillan (1979-1990)
Norwich Festival (1990-1995)
Norwich & Norfolk Festival (1995-1998)
Norwich & Norfolk Festival (2001-2005)
E311486020 8632086420 86620 86620DoncasterMay-65Oct-65Scrapped 2007: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamPhilip G Walton (1998-scrap)
E311586003 86403 86603 86603DoncasterJun-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth, RotherhamComponent Recovery 2002-2005: Wigan CRDC
E3116 86238 86238DoncasterJul-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: Boreham Scrap Co, BorehamEuropean Community (1986-scrap)
E3117 86227 86227DoncasterJul-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamOriginally allocated name 'Lady of the Lake'.Sir Henry Johnston (1981-2002)
Golden Jubilee (2002-scrap)
E31188604186261 86261DoncasterJul-65Sep-65Scrapped 2004: CF Booth, RotherhamDriver John Axon GC (1981-1992)
The Rail Charter Partnership (1997-2004)
E3119 86229 86229DoncasterJul-65Sep-65Stored: Long MarstonSir John Betjeman (1983-1998)
Lions Club International (1998-2003)
E312086019 8631986419 86419DoncasterJul-65Sep-65Scrapped 2003: Crewe ETDPost Haste 150 Years of Travelling Post Offices (1990-1993)
E3121 86241 8650886241 86241DoncasterAug-65Sep-65Scrapped 2003: Crewe ETDGlenfiddich (1979-scrap)
E312286012 8631286412 86612 86612DoncasterAug-65Oct-65Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1983-present)
E312386015 8631586415 866158641586615 86615DoncasterAug-65Oct-65Scrapped 2007: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamRotary International (1984-scrap)
E312486035 86435 86635 86635DoncasterSep-65Oct-65Awaiting scrapping: Crewe LNWR
E3125 86209 86209DoncasterOct-65Nov-65Scrapped 2005: Boreham Scrap Co, BorehamCity of Coventry (1979-2004)
E3126 86231 8623185005DoncasterOct-65Nov-65Exported 04/2016: BulgariaOriginally allocated name 'Lady of the Lake', then 'Lord Stamp'.Starlight Express (1984-2002)
Lady of the Lake (2017-present)
E3127 86240 86240DoncasterOct-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamOriginally allocated name 'Sir Clwyd County of Clwyd'.Bishop Eric Treacy (1979-2002)
E312886013 8631386413 86613 86613DoncasterOct-65Nov-65County of Lancashire (1985-1999)
E3129 86205 8650386205 86701 8670185001DoncasterOct-65Nov-65Exported 04/2016: BulgariaCity of Lancaster (1979-2003)
Orion (2009-present)
E313086037 86437 86637 86637DoncasterNov-65Dec-65
E3131 86222 8650286222 86222DoncasterNov-65Jan-66Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalFury (1979-1987)
Lloyds List (1987-1989)
Lloyds List 250th Anniversary (1989-1994)
Clothes Show Live (1994-scrap)
E3132 86221 86221DoncasterNov-65Dec-65Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalVesta (1979-1987)
BBC Look East (1987-2003)
E3133 86236 86236DoncasterNov-65Dec-65Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalJosiah Wedgwood Master Potter 1736-1795 (1980-scrap)
E3134 86224 86224DoncasterNov-65Dec-65Scrapped 2006: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamCaledonian (1979-1998)
E31358604086256 86256DoncasterDec-65Jan-66Scrapped 2006: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamOriginally allocated name 'BBC Pebble Mill'.Pebble Mill (1981-2005)
E31368604486253 8690186901DoncasterDec-65Dec-65Stored 2014: CF Booth, RotherhamNetwork Rail Load Bank Conversion.The Manchester Guardian (1980-2004)
Chief Engineer (2005-present)
E31378604586259 86259DoncasterJan-66Jan-66Preserved 2005: Private OwnerPeter Pan (1979-1995)
Greater Manchester The Life & Soul Of Britain (1995-2002)
Les Ross (2002-2003)
Les Ross (2007-present)
Peter Pan (2015-present)
E3138 86242 8624291 55 0450 008-2DoncasterDec-65Jan-66Exported 07/2013: HungaryJames Kennedy GC (1981-2002)
Colchester Castle (2002-?)
E31398604386257 86257DoncasterJan-66Feb-66Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalSnowdon (1981-scrap)
E31408604686258 8650186258 86258DoncasterJan-66Mar-66Scrapped 2009: EMR KingsburyOriginally allocated name 'Ben Nevis' - reported as being carried for a few days in 1981 before removal. Was earmarked for conversion to a battery-electric 'Green Goat' prototype, but project was cancelled.Ben Nevis (1981-1981)
Talyllyn - The First Preserved Railway (1984-2001)
Talyllyn 50 Years of Railway Preservation 1951-2001 (2001-2002)
E3141 86208 86208EE/VF 2ndJan-66Feb-66Scrapped 2003: Crewe ETDCity of Chester (1979-scrap)
E31428604786254 86254EE/VF 2ndFeb-66Feb-66Scrapped 2004: CF Booth, RotherhamWilliam Webb Ellis (1980-?)
E3143 8620386103 86103EE/VF 2ndMar-66Mar-66Scrapped 2002: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalAndre Chapelon (1981-scrap)
E31448604886260 86702 8670285002EE/VF 2ndMar-66Mar-66Exported 04/2016: BulgariaOriginally allocated name 'Driver W A Oakes GC'.Driver Wallace Oakes GC (1981-2003)
Cassiopeia (2009-present)
E314586014 8631486414 866148641486614 86614EE/VF 2ndMar-66Mar-66Frank Hornby (1986-2001)
E314686017 8631786417 86417EE/VF 2ndApr-66Apr-66Scrapped 2004: CF Booth RotherhamThe Kingsman (1985-1993)
E3147 86211 86211EE/VF 2ndApr-66Apr-66Scrapped 1986: BREL CreweColwich crash (1986).City of Milton Keynes (1982-scrap)
E314886032 86432 86632 86632EE/VF 2ndApr-66Apr-66Brookside (1987-1999)
E3149 86246 8650586246 86246EE/VF 2ndApr-66Apr-66Stored: CF Booth RotherhamOriginally allocated name 'Scafell Pike'. Spares source.Royal Anglian Regiment (1985-2005)
E3150 8620286102 86102EE/VF 2ndApr-66Apr-66Scrapped 2005: CaerwentRobert A Riddles (1981-2005)
E3151 86212 86212EE/VF 2ndMar-66Apr-66Scrapped 2011: EMR, KingsburyStatic carriage heating duties East Ham (FM Rail). Originally allocated name 'City of Edinburgh'.Preston Guild (1979-1992)
Preston Guild 1328-1992 (1992-2003)
E315286023 8632386423 86623 86623EE/VF 2ndMay-66May-66Scrapped 2010: Crewe LNWR
E315386039 86439 86639 86639EE/VF 2ndMay-66May-66
E31548604286255 86255EE/VF 2ndMay-66May-66Scrapped 2002: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalPenrith Beacon (1980-scrap)
E3155 86234 8623485006EE/VF 2ndMay-66May-66Exported 04/2016: BulgariaJ B Priestley OM (1980-2002)
Suffolk - Relax, Refresh, Return (2002-2005)
E3156 86220 86220EE/VF 2ndMay-66Jul-66Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalGoliath (1979-1987)
The Round Tabler (1987-2002)
E315786021 8632186421 86621 86621EE/VF 2ndMay-66Jul-66Scrapped 2013: Crewe LNWRLondon School of Economics (1985-scrap)
E3158 86223 86223EE/VF 2ndMay-66Jul-66Scrapped 2011: EMR, KingsburyHector (1979-1987)
Norwich Union (1987-2005)
E315986028 8632886428 866288642886628 86628EE/VF 2ndMay-66Jul-66Aldaniti (1984-present)
E316086036 86436 86636 86636EE/VF 2ndJun-66Oct-66Scrapped 2005: CF Booth Rotherham
E3161 86249 86249EE/VF 1stJan-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: JT Landscapes, MoD CaerwentPolmadie driver training loco.County of Merseyside (1981-scrap)
E3162 86226 86226EE/VF 1stJan-65Aug-65Scrapped 2011: EMR, KingsburyMail (1979-1984)
Royal Mail Midlands (1984-1996)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1996-2002)
E316386018 8631886418 86618 86618EE/VF 1stJan-65Aug-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth Rotherham
E3164 86225 86225EE/VF 1stFeb-65Aug-65Scrapped 2006: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamOriginally allocated names 'Lion', 'Mentor' and 'Meteor'.Hardwicke (1980-2005)
E3165 86215 8621591 55 0450 005-8EE/VF 1stFeb-65Aug-65Exported 05/2012: HungaryOriginally allocated names 'Novelty' and 'Comet'.Joseph Chamberlain (1981-1996)
Norwich Cathedral (1996-1997)
Norwich & Norfolk Festival (1998-1999)
The Round Tabler (2003-2005)
E3166 86216 86216EE/VF 1stFeb-65Oct-65Scrapped 2002: Easco, Immingham Railfreight Terminal.Originally allocated names 'City of Edinburgh' and 'Hardwicke'.Meteor (1979-scrap)
E3167 86228 8622891 55 0450 007-4EE/VF 1stApr-65Aug-65Exported 07/2013: HungaryVulcan Heritage (1980-present)
E3168 86230 86230EE/VF 1stApr-65Jun-65Scrapped 2011: EMR, KingsburyThe Duke of Wellington (1981-1997)
E3169 86239 8650786239 86239EE/VF 1stApr-65Jun-65Scrapped 1997: Crewe ETDStafford crash (1996).L S Lowry (1980-scrap)
E317086002 86402 86602 86602EE/VF 1stApr-65Jun-65Scrapped 2010: Crewe LNWR
E317186011 8631186411 866118641186611 86611EE/VF 1stMay-65Oct-65Scrapped 2004-2005: Crewe WorksNorton Bridge crash (2003)Airey Neave (1983-2003)
E3172 86233 8650686233 86233EE/VF 1stMay-65Jun-65Exported 10/2012: BulgariaLaurence Olivier (1980-2002) Alstom Heritage (2002-2003)
E3173 86204 86204EE/VF 1stJun-65Aug-65Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalPrototype 'flexicoil' suspension test loco in 1970s. Used for pre-HST high-speed testing, early 1970s. British rail speed record holder - 129mph, c1973-1976.City of Carlisle (1978-scrap)
E317486022 8632286422 86622 86622EE/VF 1stJun-65Aug-6510/2021: On loan to Crewe Heritage Centre
E3175 86218 8621891 55 0450 004-1EE/VF 1stJul-65Oct-65Exported 02/2011: HungaryPlanet (1979-1993)
Harold Macmillan (1993-1997)
Year of Opera and Musical Theater 1997 (1997-1998)
NHS 50 (1998-2005)
E317686007 86407 86607 86607EE/VF 1stAug-65Aug-65The Institution of Electrical Engineers (1987-1997)
The Institution of Electrical Engineers (1998-2000)
E3177 86217 8650486217 8621791 55 0450 006-6EE/VF 1stJul-65Aug-65Exported 02/2013: HungaryOriginally allocated names 'Comet' then 'Novelty'.Comet (1980-1985)
Halley's Comet (1985-1994)
City University (1994-?)
E3178 86244 86244EE/VF 1stJul-65Aug-65Scrapped 2003: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalThe Royal British Legion (1981-scrap)
E3179 86207 86207EE/VF 1stJul-65Oct-65Scrapped 2006: Ron Hull Jr, RotherhamCity of Lichfield (1981-2005)
E318086008 86408 86608 86608EE/VF 1stJul-65Oct-65Re-geared and renumbered as 86501 from 2000 to 2016St John Ambulance (1987-1999)
Crewe Basford Hall (2000-2000)
E3181 86243 86243EE/VF 1stJul-65Oct-65Scrapped 2004: CF Booth RotherhamThe Boys' Brigade (1983-1993)
E3182 86245 86245EE/VF 1stAug-65Sep-65Scrapped 2010: EMR, KingsburyOriginally allocated name 'Scafell Pike'.Dudley Castle (1984-1998)
Caledonian (1998-2003)
E3183 86251 86251EE/VF 1stAug-65Oct-65Stored: Long MarstonThe Birmingham Post (1980-2002)
E3184 86206 86206EE/VF 1stSep-65Oct-65Scrapped 2004: Sims Metals CardiffCity of Stoke on Trent (1978-2003)
E318586005 86405 866058640586605 86605EE/VF 1stSep-65Oct-65Intercontainer (1992-1996)
E318686025 8632586425 86425EE/VF 1stSep-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth RotherhamSaint Mungo (1995-2003)
E318786034 86434 86634 86634EE/VF 1stSep-65Oct-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth RotherhamUniversity of London (1986-1997)
University of London (1998-1999)
E318886031 86431 866318643186631 86631EE/VF 1stAug-65Oct-65Scrapped 2004-2005: Crewe WorksNorton Bridge crash (2003).
E3189 86250 8625091 55 0450 002-5EE/VF 1stOct-65Nov-65Exported 05/2009: HungaryThe Glasgow Herald (1980-1998)
Sheppard 100 (2003-?)
E3190 86210 8690286902EE/VF 1stOct-65Nov-65Scrapped 2016: CF Booth RotherhamNetwork Rail Load Bank Conversion. Originally allocated names 'City of Preston', 'Lady of the Lake' and 'Hardwicke'.City of Edinburgh (1979-1994)
C.I.T. 75th Anniversary (1994-2003)
Rail Vehicle Engineering (2004-scrap)
E3191 8620186101 86101EE/VF 1stOct-65Nov-65Preserved 2005: AC Locomotive Group; sold to Locomotive Services Ltd 2019Sir William A Stanier FRS (1978-2005)
Sir William A Stanier FRS (2006-present)
E3192 86247 86247EE/VF 1stDec-65Dec-65Stored: Crewe Basford HallSpares source.Abraham Darby (1981-2003)
E3193 86213 8621385003EE/VF 1stDec-65Dec-65Exported 04/2016: BulgariaLancashire Witch (1981-present)
E3194 86235 8623585004EE/VF 1stOct-65Jan-66Exported 04/2016: BulgariaNovelty (1979-1990) Harold Macmillan (1990-1992) Crown Point (1992-2005) Novelty (2016-present)
E319586026 8632686426 86426EE/VF 1stDec-65Dec-65Scrapped 2005: CF Booth RotherhamPride of the Nation (1998-2002)
E3196 86219 86219EE/VF 1stDec-65Dec-65Scrapped 2002: Easco, Immingham Railfreight TerminalPhoenix (1979-scrap)
E3197 86237 86237EE/VF 1stOct-65Jan-66Scrapped 2004: Sims Metals, CardiffSir Charles Halle (1983-1993)
University of East Anglia (1993-scrap)
E319886033 86433 86633 86633EE/VF 1stJan-66Jan-66Awaiting scrapping: Crewe LNWRWulfruna (1985-scrap)
E319986001 86401 86401EE/VF 1stJan-66Feb-66Preserved 2004: AC Locomotive Group; sold to West Coast Railways 2020Northampton Town (1989-1991)
Hertfordshire Rail Tours (1998-2003)
Northampton Town (2005-2015)
Mons Meg (2015-present)
E320086029 8632986429 86429EE/VF 1stJan-66Feb-66Scrapped 1986: BREL CreweColwich crash (1986).The Times (1985-scrap)