History

The three locomotives in this subclass were built as standard Class 86/2 along with the rest of the build (original numbers were to be 86201-203), but were later chosen to evaluate revised electric equipment and suspension, to be fitted to the next build of electric locomotives. Electrically, the locomotives are identical to Class 87s with the same style bogies and traction control system, all within a normal Class 86 bodyshell. These locos are unique among the Class 86s as being permitted to operate at 110mph due to superior bogies. After testing these locomotives, along with the Class 86/2s, were used as one common pool on the West Coast Main Line, working for CrossCountry and West Coast. Appearances on the latter were more frequent due to the 110mph maximum speed and ability to keep to time.

After passing to Virgin West Coast and then being as surplus in the late '90s, 86101-103 were put into store, but two, 86101/102, were later hired by English Welsh and Scottish Railway during their 1997/1998 traction shortage. 86103 was also hired as a source of spares. After the locomotives finished working with EWS, they were again put into store, and remained there until mid-2001 when 86101/102 were taken to Glasgow Works for remedial work before returning to traffic with Freightliner to work container trains. 86103 was no more than a shell by this time and was scrapped at Immingham Railfreight Terminal. Following storage by Freightliner in early 2002, the pair were taken to MoD Longtown for storage and then in early 2005, 86102 was scrapped at Caerwent in South Wales

Current Duties

86101 was sold by HSBC to the AC Locomotive Group and was moved from Longtown in mid 2005 to MoD Ashchurch for secure storage prior to restoration work beginning.

History

The Class 86/2 subclass is for standard locomotives fitted with ETH, limited to 100mph and with no other modifications. The class previously had full employment on Anglia Railways, EWS (formerly RES), Virgin West Coast and Virgin CrossCountry. Replacement with alternative stock has seen duties diminish and booked duties were finally eliminated by the end of 2005 with 'one' Anglia being the last company to use Class 86/2s.

The Class 86/4 subclass were reclassified for use on mail services due to the addition of RCH equipment allowing communication with PCV control vans contained in the mail train coaching sets. Formerly owned by Rail Express Systems and then EWS, the last locos were removed from service following replacement by Class 90s and 67s.

Current Status

The 86/2 subclass ended main line passenger workings in 2005 when 86235 worked a series of trains between London and Norwich for 'one' Anglia. Those workings were its third farewell workings after poor Class 90 availability forced its return to front line traffic.

History

The original series 86/5 locomotives were Class 86/2 ETH fitted locomotives dedicated to freight work and were renumbered to reflect this. Following the creation of the freight-dedicated Class 86/6 subclass with no ETH fitted, the 86/5s were reclassified as 86/2 and returned to their passenger duties.

In 2001 Freightliner, in connection with Bralesford Engineering, reactivated the 86/5 subclass for a trial locomotive testing out the re-gearing of a Class 86/6 locomotive so that it was possible for a single locomotive to work a fully laden container train. 86501 was unveiled at the Crewe Works Open Day in the same year.

Current Duties

The regearing trial was not as successful as first hoped and no more locomotives are to be modified, although 86501 will remain in its current state. The loco is permitted to work 'liner trains alone and is used in a common user pool with the Class 86/6 fleet.

History

This locos in this subclass are only distinguishable from the 86/4 fleet as their ETH equipment has been isolated. Otherwise, technically, they are totally identical apart from being limited to 75mph. On conversion, locomotives converted from the 864xx series kept the last two digits and gained the prefix 866xx (eg 86433 became 86633). This explains the gaps in the number series, as 86401 was not renumbered to 86601.

Current Duties

On privatisation, the locomotives were sold by Freightliner 1995 to Porterbrook to raise capital for the company, and were re-leased back to Freightliner for use hauling container trains over the electrified network. Following deliveries of Class 66s, the 86 fleet has been gradually reduced as a general shift towards a diesel 'go-anywhere' fleet takes place, although daily workings do take place on the West Coast Main Line.

Last Updated 23-12-2005