British Rail Class EF1
Encyclopedia
The British Rail Class EF1 (Electric Freight 1) was a class of electrically powered locomotives used by British Rail
in England
. They were used during the pre-TOPS
period. They were also classified as British Rail Class EB1
for a short period of time, although only a single locomotive was completely modified to EB1 condition.
These locomotives were built by the North Eastern Railway
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, and given the classification EB1. 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 these locomotives 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 and the remaining locos were classified as EF1 (Electric Freight 1). In 1949, number 26510 was moved to Ilford
Depot (Eastern Region) for use as a shunter. Number 26510 was transferred to departmental stock (as DS100) in 1959 and withdrawn in 1964.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
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They were 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. They were also classified as British Rail Class EB1
British Rail Class EB1
The British Rail Class EB1 was an electrically powered locomotive used by British Rail in England. It was used during the pre-TOPS period...
for a short period of time, although only a single locomotive was completely modified to EB1 condition.
These locomotives were built by the North Eastern Railway
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...
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, and given the classification EB1. 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 these locomotives 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 and the remaining locos were classified as EF1 (Electric Freight 1). 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. Number 26510 was transferred to departmental stock (as DS100) in 1959 and withdrawn in 1964.