AC Loco Group save 87002

[Jordy]

The AC Loco Group have announced the acquisition of 87002 for preservation

The AC Locomotive Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of 87002 for preservation, with the kind co-operation of the Bulgarian Railway Company, Porterbrook and Romic Ace.

With paperwork now finalised, following negotiations which have been ongoing since mid-2007, 87002 will not now be exported to Bulgaria as previously planned. Since its arrival at Long Marston at the end of January 2008, the Group's main line team have undertaken a full E-exam, fitted OTMR equipment, sent the pantograph for overhaul (with special thanks to Brecknell Willis for their assistance), and are currently completing a repaint from the previous Porterbrook livery. The locomotive will be reunited with its old name, Royal Sovereign, and be moved for 25kV testing within the next few weeks.

The loco is expected to be ready for mainline use in May 2008

http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/news.php#0

Excellent news!

 

[37412]

Indeed, Excellent news, looking forward to a blast on the mainline with 002 again, get rid of that rancid can and get this beastie out on service trains

 

[Phoenix]

About time
Good to see that leccys are getting some attention.

 

[Jordy]

For some reaon I *still* haven't bashed and 87, hopefully I can now!

 

[Jim]

For some reaon I *still* haven't bashed and 87, hopefully I can now!

Join the club!

 

[37402]

Indeed, Excellent news, looking forward to a blast on the mainline with 002 again, get rid of that rancid can and get this beastie out on service trains

Thought you didn't rate EP traction?

 

[37412]

Thought you didn't rate EP traction?

You know that rule is waved for 87's Mr 37402 :roll: They have to take it up shap though so i can experience this vision of power tube was telling me about though, never seemed to get on the other occasions i've been up there with a seven :???:

 

[Respite]

Great news, 87's rock, lots of fun times with them as well. An 87 light engine is great for seeing how fast a loco can accelerate!

Retired before expired, they still show current WCML stock a thing or two............Don't believe the bling!

 

[P156KWJ]

excellent! Hopefully they could give it to Hull Trains

 

[Julian G]

excellent! Hopefully they could give it to Hull Trains

it would be nice to see an 87 on the helm of Virgin Mk3s again [whether if that is possible]

 

[EE Type 3]

Wonderful news, lets have some rad thrash on the WC again

 

[me123]

Well done to the group! I know aquiring a loco is a tough job, even more so when it's nearly ready to go to Bulgaria. I know the last run (AKA cock-up o' the north) failed miserably, so perhaps there'll be another chance to ride an 87. Perhaps, even, I'll get to go

 

[37402]

An 87 light engine is great for seeing how fast a loco can accelerate!

...not as well as a light 92!

 

[Respite]

...not as well as a light 92!

Never tried a 92, but it would certainly have to be fast to beat an 87

 

[class 313]

Shame that the only 87 I know of that I had for haulage is being saved! Why not another one.

Seriously though, its great news one was saved!

 

[Up Carriage Liner]

Wonderful news, lets have some rad thrash on the WC again

Very good news indeed. It would be a perfect replacement for the EWS class 90 that is used to provide motive traction for the Virgin Mark 3 rake that sees WCML service. Any information on the livery to be applied to 87002?

 

[matt]

Very good news indeed. It would be a perfect replacement for the EWS class 90 that is used to provide motive traction for the Virgin Mark 3 rake that sees WCML service. Any information on the livery to be applied to 87002?

Br Blue

 

[37402]

Very good news indeed. It would be a perfect replacement for the EWS class 90 that is used to provide motive traction for the Virgin Mark 3 rake that sees WCML service.

..only problem being no VWC drivers still officially sign them and retraining is not an option (bang goes the farewell for the Mk3 set with a proper loco then!) unless a long term deal for the Mk3 set is sorted (at present it runs out in December along with the contract with EWS for the 90).

Some GB men must be coming close by now too (although hopefully they won't need to cross 'em off!)...

 

[Phoenix]

Well having a 87 for spot hire seems like a better option than 86's I mean 86101 (correct me if the number is wrong) has 100% reliability so if the group can do the same with 87002 then I see no reason why they cant become the spot hire loco of choice.
Also being a sole surviour (if we want to be dramatic) it create's a niche in the railtour market.
I definatly think it will be able to earn enough to break even on it's own cost's easily.

And livery??? intercity with that good old black over the window area cant really see virgin or BR blue as virgin is quite recent and theres copywrite issues and well the blue seems to get used too much.

 

[AlexS]

86101 is more 87 than 86 in any case, so they're a fairly close pair.

 

[Phoenix]

isnt it 501 that is more like an 87 than the rest as it has been re-geared???

 

[37412]

isnt it 501 that is more like an 87 than the rest as it has been re-geared???

Believe it operates a 90 diagram for FL so would seem so.

 

[Phoenix]

ah right it's on a 90 diagram I thought that it was on 86 diagrams but could do away with it's mate and do the job alone.

Well you never know we could see 87002 on a few frieght duties (I do realise they are not made for frieght please dont point it out).

 

[CosherB]

I think they looked best in Virgin colours, though I can see BR blue is more 'pure'.... bit boring, though.

In virgin colours, at the head of a rake of Virgin MK3s... I rode them once a week for a few years and very nice they were. First class in the MK3 is a much more pleasant environment than a Pendo, even if the trains were slower-accelerating and sometimes a tad unreliable compared to the Pendo.

Northbound, just out of Linslade Tunnel on the LH curve, at full chat, the Mk3s used to make a lovely howling noise I never heard anywhere else or in any other stock (the Pendos don't do it).

 

[87015]

Well you never know we could see 87002 on a few frieght duties (I do realise they are not made for frieght please dont point it out).

Classify 'freight' - where do you stand on mail trains

Here is 021 with an up liners:

Or 003 on tanks:

 

[Phoenix]

Classify 'freight' - where do you stand on mail trains
]

Ahhh the man has a point well mail does count as freight but i tend to but it in a sub catagory because as far as i know most locos can handle mail duties.

Btw cracking shots got any more to share.

 

[87015]

Ahhh the man has a point well mail does count as freight but i tend to but it in a sub catagory because as far as i know most locos can handle mail duties.

Btw cracking shots got any more to share.

I'm with you on parcels/mail/newspapers being its own category.
Plenty more 87 phots on my website (not too much else in fact!) www.redcow.fotopic.net although most are more modern than those two.

 

[Phoenix]

I'm with you on parcels/mail/newspapers being its own category.
Plenty more 87 phots on my website (not too much else in fact!) www.redcow.fotopic.net although most are more modern than those two.

I shall have a good nose on ya site in that case but yeah good to see someone sticks with one class.

Sadly im a can man myself .

 

[Crompton Karl]

Always thought the Swallow Style Intercity livery looked very classy on these machines.

Karl

 

[Phoenix]

Always thought the Swallow Style Intercity livery looked very classy on these machines.

Karl

Quite sad that they have gone for BR blue I mean the livery isn't way too important but it would be nice to see some more mainline intercity machines.
Although id go for the first livery with the black wrap arounds on the cab myself