|
86
259 is a member of the 100 strong Class AL6 AC electric
locomotives that were built for the original West Coast Main
Line electrification scheme from Euston to Birmingham, Crewe,
Liverpool & Manchester. These locomotives were used on both
express passenger work and freight duties. In later years,
locomotives were allocated to BR sub-sectors and were modified
from "mixed traffic" locomotives. With the advent of "tdm control" and
push-pull working it was possible to utilise the locomotives
more effectively and this enabled a number to be released from
WCML duties for use on the East Anglia services from Liverpool
Street.
This
25kV AC electric locomotive was built at Doncaster in 1966 and
entered service with the number E3137. It was renumbered into
the TOPS scheme as 86 045. It was later rebuilt with flexicoil
suspension and fitted with resilient wheels and became part of
the Class 86/2 when it was renumbered 86 259.
It received the name 'Peter Pan' in 1979 when BR recommenced
naming locomotives. However, it was renamed in 1995 to 'Greater
Manchester The Life & Soul Of Britain'. In 2002 it was
further renamed by Virgin Trains to 'Les Ross' a Birmingham
based DJ. The locomotive was a regular performer on the
Birmingham New Street to London Euston trains at that time. The
locomotive was withdrawn from service in October 2003.
86 259 arrived
at Tyseley, devoid of nameplates following a period in store in
Virgin livery, and has since been repainted into BR Electric
Blue livery. It is hoped that it will complete its tests and be
passed for use on the mainline again.
|
