AC Electrics: 86 87 90 and DVTs

AC Electrics: 86, 87, 90 and DVTs

Built in 1965–66, the 100 Class 86 electric locomotives worked passenger and freight trains on the newly electrified West Coast Main Line from London Euston to destinations such as Birmingham, Crewe, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow, enabling British Rail (BR) to withdraw its remaining steam locomotives by 1968. The Class 87 was a development of the Class 86 and, from 1973, bolstered the existing electric traction fleet. Rated at 5,000hp, these also fulfilled a requirement for higher performance.

From the late 1980s, the Class 90 appeared, a further development again for both services and freight trains, working first with BR and then various post-privatisation operators. All of the AC electrics have had long and relatively trouble-free careers, in some cases of up to 60 years. Class 86s have been exported to Bulgaria and Hungary and remain in use today.

Containing 220 colour images, this volume offers a pictorial look at these versatile locos at work in the UK during the late 1980s to the present day.

Available: NOW

ISBN: 978 1 80282 825 2

Price: £16.99

Series: Britain’s Railways Series, vol 59

Format: Paperback, 96 pages

Author: Mark V. Pike