AC Locomotive Group
Encyclopedia
The AC Locomotive Group is the UK's only dedicated AC
electric locomotive
preservation society. It currently has ten AC locomotives in its care, numbers 81002
, 82008
, 83012
, 84001
, 85101
, 86101, 86213, 86401
, 87002
, 89001
.
In 1996, Pete Waterman
, who had purchased the sole surviving examples of AC electric classes 81, 82, 83 and 85, put his entire fleet of locomotives for sale. The AC Locomotive Group formed with the intention of purchasing all four machines. This was accomplished in June 1997, and three of the four locomotives were moved to Barrow Hill Roundhouse in December 1998, with the fourth joining them in early 2000. Also in 2000, the group took 84001
on loan from the National Railway Museum
, and this loco was subsequently given a major cosmetic overhaul following a long period stored in the open.
In 2002, the leasing company HSBC Rail UK placed Class 86, 86213
, on loan to the group at Barrow Hill, while in 2004 the group purchased its first Class 86 outright - 86401. The same year, GNER placed their unique Class 89
, 89001, into the group's care following closure of part of Doncaster Works where it had been stored out of use.
In 2005 the group was honoured by the naming of Class 87
locomotive, no 87002, as "The AC Locomotive Group". This loco was, at the time, owned by Porterbrook Leasing and painted in their purple colour scheme, and later became the last Class 87 to haul a passenger train in regular service. Also in 2005, the group formally purchased 86213 and also loco 86101.
At the end of 2006 GNER put 89001 up for sale, and following a high-profile appeal, the group successfully purchased the loco for preservation. Finally, in 2008, the group was able to acquire the loco that carried their name, 87002, for preservation.
The group made great strides to restore electrical equipment in their early locos; early successes included the restoration of auxiliary equipment (including cooling fans) in locos 82008 and 83012. In 2006, 81002 was completed electrically to a condition where it could be powered up from the overhead wires. All three Class 86s in the fleet have been made operational: 86101 was restored to mainline condition in 2006-2007, hauling its first charter train in March 2007, and subsequently going on hire to Hull Trains for four months in early 2008; 86213 sees use as a shunter and training loco at Wembley depot; 86401 has also been restored to mainline condition, but has not yet been recertified.
Most locomotives in the collection have received full cosmetic overhauls since acquisition, with both 82008 and 85101 receiving "fictitious" makeovers for various periods.
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
electric locomotive
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
preservation society. It currently has ten AC locomotives in its care, numbers 81002
British Rail Class 81
The British Rail Class 81 is an AC electric locomotive that formerly operated on the West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region of British Rail...
, 82008
British Rail Class 82
The British Rail Class 82 electric locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company between 1960 and 1962 as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification.- History :...
, 83012
British Rail Class 83
The British Rail Class 83 electric locomotives were built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification.- History :...
, 84001
British Rail Class 84
The British Rail Class 84 was a 25 kV AC electric locomotive that operated on the West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region.- History :...
, 85101
British Rail Class 85
The British Rail Class 85 is an electric locomotive built during the early 1960s, as part of BR's policy to develop a standard electric locomotive. Five prototype classes were built and evaluated, which eventually led to the development of the Class 86 locomotive...
, 86101, 86213, 86401
British Rail Class 86
The British Rail Class 86 was the standard electric locomotive built during the 1960s, developed as a result of testing with the earlier Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. One hundred of these locomotives were built from 1965-1966 by either English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, or...
, 87002
British Rail Class 87
The British Rail Class 87 is a type of electric locomotive built from 1973-75 by British Rail Engineering Limited . 36 of these locomotives were built to work passenger services over the West Coast Main Line . They were the flagships of British Rail's electric locomotive fleet until the late 1980s,...
, 89001
British Rail Class 89
The Class 89 is a prototype design for an electric locomotive. Only one unit was built, no. 89001, which was officially named Avocet by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on 16 January 1989 at Sandy, Bedfordshire - the home of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds...
.
Locomotives
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
, who had purchased the sole surviving examples of AC electric classes 81, 82, 83 and 85, put his entire fleet of locomotives for sale. The AC Locomotive Group formed with the intention of purchasing all four machines. This was accomplished in June 1997, and three of the four locomotives were moved to Barrow Hill Roundhouse in December 1998, with the fourth joining them in early 2000. Also in 2000, the group took 84001
British Rail Class 84
The British Rail Class 84 was a 25 kV AC electric locomotive that operated on the West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region.- History :...
on loan from the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...
, and this loco was subsequently given a major cosmetic overhaul following a long period stored in the open.
In 2002, the leasing company HSBC Rail UK placed Class 86, 86213
British Rail Class 86
The British Rail Class 86 was the standard electric locomotive built during the 1960s, developed as a result of testing with the earlier Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. One hundred of these locomotives were built from 1965-1966 by either English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, or...
, on loan to the group at Barrow Hill, while in 2004 the group purchased its first Class 86 outright - 86401. The same year, GNER placed their unique Class 89
British Rail Class 89
The Class 89 is a prototype design for an electric locomotive. Only one unit was built, no. 89001, which was officially named Avocet by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on 16 January 1989 at Sandy, Bedfordshire - the home of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds...
, 89001, into the group's care following closure of part of Doncaster Works where it had been stored out of use.
In 2005 the group was honoured by the naming of Class 87
British Rail Class 87
The British Rail Class 87 is a type of electric locomotive built from 1973-75 by British Rail Engineering Limited . 36 of these locomotives were built to work passenger services over the West Coast Main Line . They were the flagships of British Rail's electric locomotive fleet until the late 1980s,...
locomotive, no 87002, as "The AC Locomotive Group". This loco was, at the time, owned by Porterbrook Leasing and painted in their purple colour scheme, and later became the last Class 87 to haul a passenger train in regular service. Also in 2005, the group formally purchased 86213 and also loco 86101.
At the end of 2006 GNER put 89001 up for sale, and following a high-profile appeal, the group successfully purchased the loco for preservation. Finally, in 2008, the group was able to acquire the loco that carried their name, 87002, for preservation.
Restoration
Most locomotives in the collection have received full cosmetic overhauls since acquisition, with both 82008 and 85101 receiving "fictitious" makeovers for various periods.