British Rail Class EB1
Encyclopedia
The British Rail Class EB1 (Electric Banking 1) was an electrically powered locomotive used by British Rail
in England. It was used during the pre-TOPS
period. The other NER
electric locos built at the same time were classified as EB1 but were never modified, they later became British Rail Class EF1
.
These locomotives were built by the NER to haul coal trains from the mines at Shildon
to the docks at Middlesbrough
. During the 1920s the coal traffic declined and some of the locomotives became surplus to requirements. In 1928 a plan was devised to convert one of them to a Diesel-electric, using a 1,000 hp Beardmore
diesel engine driving an English Electric
generator. This plan did not come to fruition.
Electric traction on the Shildon line was discontinued in 1935 but the locomotives were retained for possible future use. Number 11 (later BR 26510) was rebuilt in 1942 for use on the Manchester-Sheffield line. Horsepower was increased from 1,100 to 1,256 and the twin pantographs
were replaced by a single central one.
In common with other LNER electric locomotives, no classification was given to the locomotive until 4 October 1945, when nos. 3-12 were all classified EB1 (Electric Banking 1). It was expected that all the locomotives would be similarly modified but this did not happen. In 1949, number 26510 was moved to Ilford
Depot (Eastern Region) for use as a shunter, but the others were reclassified EF1 (Electric Freight 1). Number 26510 was transferred to departmental stock (as DS100) in January 1959 and withdrawn in April 1964.
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
in England. It was used during the pre-TOPS
TOPS
Total Operations Processing System, or TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock owned by a rail system...
period. The other NER
North Eastern Railway (UK)
The North Eastern Railway , was an English railway company. It was incorporated in 1854, when four existing companies were combined, and was absorbed into the London and North Eastern Railway at the Grouping in 1923...
electric locos built at the same time were classified as EB1 but were never modified, they later became British Rail Class EF1
British Rail Class EF1
The British Rail Class EF1 was a class of electrically powered locomotives used by British Rail in England. They were used during the pre-TOPS period...
.
These locomotives were built by the NER to haul coal trains from the mines at Shildon
Shildon
Shildon is a town in County Durham, in England. It is situated 2 miles to the south east of Bishop Auckland and 11 miles north of Darlington. It is 13 miles away from Durham, 23 miles from Sunderland and 23 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne...
to the docks at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
. During the 1920s the coal traffic declined and some of the locomotives became surplus to requirements. In 1928 a plan was devised to convert one of them to a Diesel-electric, using a 1,000 hp Beardmore
William Beardmore and Company
William Beardmore and Company was a Scottish engineering and shipbuilding conglomerate based in Glasgow and the surrounding Clydeside area. It was active between about 1890 and 1930 and at its peak employed about 40,000 people...
diesel engine driving an English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
generator. This plan did not come to fruition.
Electric traction on the Shildon line was discontinued in 1935 but the locomotives were retained for possible future use. Number 11 (later BR 26510) was rebuilt in 1942 for use on the Manchester-Sheffield line. Horsepower was increased from 1,100 to 1,256 and the twin pantographs
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
were replaced by a single central one.
In common with other LNER electric locomotives, no classification was given to the locomotive until 4 October 1945, when nos. 3-12 were all classified EB1 (Electric Banking 1). It was expected that all the locomotives would be similarly modified but this did not happen. In 1949, number 26510 was moved to Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
Depot (Eastern Region) for use as a shunter, but the others were reclassified EF1 (Electric Freight 1). Number 26510 was transferred to departmental stock (as DS100) in January 1959 and withdrawn in April 1964.