Bad news for AC electric followers

[theblackwatch]

A press release from ETL made today has announced that 86101 and 87002 are to be withdrawn from main line operations, and it looks like the 87 will be going abroad. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be sufficient work for the locos - as the previous press release mentions, work has dried up over the last 12 months. The full press releases are at http://www.electric-traction.co.uk/news.php

 

[Monty]

A press release from ETL made today has announced that 86101 and 87002 are to be withdrawn from main line operations, and it looks like the 87 will be going abroad. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be sufficient work for the locos - as the previous press release mentions, work has dried up over the last 12 months. The full press releases are at http://www.electric-traction.co.uk/news.php

I thought 86101 and 87002 were officially 'preserved' and owned by the AC Locomotive Group?

 

[313103]

Just seen this link through a friend on Facebook.
Was it expected? Thoughts anyone.

86401 to be desposed of doesnt sound good. the only 86 painted in NSE livery must be saved surely.

http://www.electric-traction.co.uk/news.php

 

[455driver]

I thought 86101 and 87002 were officially 'preserved' and owned by the AC Locomotive Group?

'preserved' does not mean now what it used to mean.

Just look at the 56 group and 56040, they 'preserved' it for a while but when a better one became available it was stripped and scrapped so they could buy the "better" example and play at mainline operator.

 

[Joseph.bevan96]

What a tragedy :/ was reported in last week's rail mag though and tbh 87002 only got used on 1 tour to my knowledge last year :/ anyone know when they're at carslile on the deicers? Cheers

 

[BestWestern]

Very sad to hear. Regretfully, I fear we will see more of this to come, the current climate being such as it is. And these are locos that run without the burden of diesel costs (though obviously I appreciate running AC locomotives is not 'free'). I hope that homes will be found for the stock due to be displaced, but alas it does not look overly promising

 

[swtandgw]

RIP Class 87s in the UK

 

[yorksrob]

I have a soft spot for 86's and 87's from my uni days. Any fewer on the National network is a sad thing for me.

 

[electra27000]

Just seen this link through a friend on Facebook.
Was it expected? Thoughts anyone.

86401 to be desposed of doesnt sound good. the only 86 painted in NSE livery must be saved surely.

http://www.electric-traction.co.uk/news.php

It was coming, to be honest. Their fleet will need fitting with GMSR soon, at considerable cost, and the 86/1 is due a major exam.

As for 86401, it's just the livery that makes it what it is. It's just another 86, otherwise....

 

[12CSVT]

Just look at the 56 group and 56040, they 'preserved' it for a while but when a better one became available it was stripped and scrapped so they could buy the "better" example and play at mainline operator.

To be fair to the C56G 56040 developed some major defects shorthly after it was restored and the cost of purchasing 56301 (which was in far superior condition to 56040) was no more than the estimated cost of repairing the defects on 56040.

 

[455driver]

To be fair to the C56G 56040 developed some major defects shortly after it was restored and the cost of purchasing 56301 (which was in far superior condition to 56040) was no more than the estimated cost of repairing the defects on 56040.

I have been over this with them and can understand the reasons, but its still a bit galling to see something that I had donated money to going for scrap while they went on about hiring the replacement loco out to mainline operators. I donated towards 56040s preservation not so somebody could play leasing company.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

86259 seems to find regular operation. It is running all of the Winter Cumbrian railtours from Euston to Carnforth to connect with a steamer. However for most railtour use they are limited and obviously if not mainline certified are doomed to be static exhibits.

Considering their recent employment as icebreakers it is a pity that NR are not looking at them.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

I have been over this with them and can understand the reasons, but its still a bit galling to see something that I had donated money to going for scrap while they went on about hiring the replacement loco out to mainline operators. I donated towards 56040s preservation not so somebody could play leasing company.

Hiring out the loco tho is a source of income for the owning group, plus the firm hiring in may also be responsible for maintenance. Surely that's a win either way...

Look another way. Would you prefer to see your fave engine posing as a static exhibit in a round house somewhere, or hammering past you at speed with engines singing away at full cry?

 

[D365]

At least we've still got 87001 and 87035... And a bunch of 86s in store. And 90s, 92s... All pretty much static. Definitely not enough work.

 

[DarloRich]

What a tragedy :/ was reported in last week's rail mag though and tbh 87002 only got used on 1 tour to my knowledge last year :/ anyone know when they're at Carlisle on the deicers? Cheers

They are there now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitchellturnbull/8417397713/in/contacts/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitchellturnbull/8418482954/in/contacts/ (not mine) and have been there since before xmas: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/8319952004

Considering their recent employment as icebreakers it is a pity that NR are not looking at them.

I dont see why they should expand all that money to acquire a stand by locomotive that will sit idle for most of the year.


I imagine the cost of GSMR fitment and the lack of charter hires to off set that cost is behind this.

 

[Harbon 1]

This is a shame, I've still never travelled on an '86 or 87 I wanted to do a tour with them when Rail Blue Charters were still alive really hope a home can be found for them :/

 

[455driver]

Hiring out the loco tho is a source of income for the owning group, plus the firm hiring in may also be responsible for maintenance. Surely that's a win either way...

It is just another mainline loco now, not a "preserved" loco anymore.

Look another way. Would you prefer to see your fave engine posing as a static exhibit in a round house somewhere, or hammering past you at speed with engines singing away at full cry?

Yep it being hammered to within an inch of its life on a 2000 tonne freight train at the other end of the country is a great advantage rather than it being at one of those horrible (safe) preserved lines where I can get up close and personal (fnarr fnarr) and maybe pay some more money to have a ride behind it.
Yep a freight contract (which may or may not run, run early or late etc) is so much better for me (and most other people that coughed up some money for the purchase and restoration of a 56).

The 56 is now a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder, when something goes bang (56s are pretty good but things still go bang) you can bet there won't be enough money in the kitty and the begging bowl will be out again (D1015, 40145 ) but I dont think there will be the interest in a 56 that these 2 (mainly railtour locos) have because there is no real benefit to us unless it is used on railtours regularly, I like hearing (and seeing) a 56 on full chat as much as the next man but am not running halfway round the country to see one loco (on a freight) that may or may not run.

 

[RobShipway]

I would have thought that the NRM should be stepping in to claim these loco's for the country and not just for use as static objects within their Museums at either York or Shildon.

They have a few Steam Loco's and other engines that are to mainline standard that do many railtours etc..... Could NRM not do the same for these?

 

[455driver]

IK would have thought that the NRM should be stepping in to claim these loco's for the country

Are any of them named (and the name having 2 words beginning with F and S)?

Actually thats not fair the NRM does have quite a few diesel and electric locos-
37 D6700 (stuck in a tent)
40 D200 (stuck in a tent/ needs overhaul)
76 26020 (empty shell)
84 84001 (empty shell)
47 47(cant remember 798?) in use with a charter train company (much to DBS displeasure).

So yes the NRM does have some diesel and electrics, its just a pity a small amount of the money spent/wasted on F***ing Scotsman couldnt be used on some other locos and leave the steamer as a static exhibit for a few years, and yes I appreciate FS has been static for a few years but it hasnt been an exhibit.

 

[captainbigun]

In fairness 84001 is mostly complete.

Don't forget the NRM already has 87001.

 

[455driver]

In fairness 84001 is mostly complete.

Yeah it might be (nearly) complete but it is a bit broken and missing some very important bits isnt it!

Don't forget the NRM already has 87001.

Very true, where is it hidden away?

 

[60163tornado]

What happened to network rails class 86s
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yeah it might be (nearly) complete but it is a bit broken and missing some very important bits isnt it!


Very true, where is it hidden away?

It is not hidden away, it is currently in the station Building/peter allen building with a Blue Pullman MK2

 

[Manchester77]

76 26020 (empty shell)

What would be the point in restoring it. It'd only be able to operate on Tyne and Wear Metro as nowhere else has 1500 DC OHL electrification. If they restored / converted it to 25KvAC it would loose it's heritage

 

[DarloRich]

Are any of them named (and the name having 2 words beginning with F and S)?

Actually thats not fair the NRM does have quite a few diesel and electric locos-
37 D6700 (stuck in a tent)
40 D200 (stuck in a tent/ needs overhaul)
76 26020 (empty shell)
84 84001 (empty shell)
47 47(cant remember 798?) in use with a charter train company (much to DBS displeasure).

So yes the NRM does have some diesel and electrics, its just a pity a small amount of the money spent/wasted on F***ing Scotsman couldnt be used on some other locos and leave the steamer as a static exhibit for a few years, and yes I appreciate FS has been static for a few years but it hasnt been an exhibit.

I think you have missed a few out:

03090 - working order
41001 - being brought back to life
09027 - Working order and just overhauled
31018 - U/S
20050 - On way back to life
Deltic - U/S
33116 - On wya back to life at GCR
D1023 "Western Fusilier" - U/S
55002 "Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry", - Mainline certified
08064 - Operational
D2860 - Operational
E5001 - U/S

As for 47798 'Prince William' - it was donated to the NRM by DBS. They have no control over it anymore.


Flying Scotsman will, eventually, make back the money spent on it by the NRM. It is the only vehicle in their collection that could, except perhaps Mallard. It is the most widely known engine amongst normal’s so the demand for haulage will be great. When it ran on the Scarborough Spa Express before overhaul, it ran with full trains.

Look at the success of Tornado and how quickly A1 Stream they have repaid the majority of the debt associated with construction. That said the report into the overhaul of Flying Scotsman does not make good reading: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us/smg/~/~/media/33CDC07ED88345BEA5412F91D8742D45.ashx

 

[electra27000]

In fairness 84001 is mostly complete.

I had a debate with someone who'd actually looked around 76020 (with NRM permission), elsewhere, and I'm sure they said that was virtually intact - including the fabled missing traction motors.

 

[6Gman]

I'd be very sorry to see 87002 depart.

It hauled the first Preston - Euston electrically-hauled train (VIP Special) - driven by my late father.

 

[ex-railwayman]

This is a shame, I've still never travelled on an '86 or 87 I wanted to do a tour with them when Rail Blue Charters were still alive really hope a home can be found for them :/

Well, if you really desire Class 87 haulage you want to get yourself on a railtour across to Bulgaria where most of this class is now.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

 

[87015]

Well, if you really desire Class 87 haulage you want to get yourself on a railtour across to Bulgaria where most of this class is now.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

Sadly, there is no sign of anything on the horizon. Both operators who I am aware of having previously operated tours in BG with the class are running 2013 tours but with no 87 involvement. I'd love to hear otherwise, but 2013 looks barren.

 

[BestWestern]

Curious about the photo of 87004 in Bulgaria spec but still wearing full BR blue livery and logos! Is the loco permanently over there and running in that condition, or was she sent over just to operate a tour?

 

[87015]

Curious about the photo of 87004 in Bulgaria spec but still wearing full BR blue livery and logos! Is the loco permanently over there and running in that condition, or was she sent over just to operate a tour?

It runs around like that and is rather popular with the local crews - it had its own mop and bucket for cleaning at every stop on the 2010 tour!

By all accounts they very much liked the sound of having a former Royal loco and were happy for the repaint and naming. Wouldn't be surprised to see '017 and '023 retain their plates, the 92s still have cast arrows, tunnel rings, depot plaque and sticker name on...