Locomotive Class
Class 86 (AL6)
Class: Class 86 (AL6)
Type: Electric
Designer: British Railways
Weight: 81 tons
Purpose: Mixed Traffic
Information: British Railways Modernisation Plan put forth plans in the late 1950’s to electrify large parts of the network using 25-kV AC electric over-head catenary. Subsequently plans were put forth by BR for five prototype designs to be built in sufficient quantities in order to evaluate locomotives, resulting in the AL6, later Class 86.
Details: Between 1964 and 1965, 100 AL6 AC electric locomotives were constructed, with 60 being built by English Electric Vulcan Works at Newton-le-Willows and 40 at BR’s own Doncaster Works.
In operation the class has seen a number of changes over the years. The first major alteration, necessitating wheel replacement and fitting of large helical flex-coil springs to the bogies due to problems associated with track damage. Other changes came about as operating needs changed, usually not resulting in external appearance modification.
It appears that most Class 86 locomotives were originally out-shopped in Electric blue with red buffer beams and white window surrounds and roofs. The livery was adorned with a cast BR lion emblem and running numbers at both cab ends. It appears that British Railways wasted no time adopting the new Corporate Blue colour scheme with full yellow ends while production was still in progress. After 1972 locomotives in the class were renumbered in the Class 86 series under TOPS. After 1972 locomotives in the class were renumbered in the Class 86 series under TOPS. During the mid to late 1980’s locomotive were repainted in BR Sector colours to suit passenger, parcels, or freight operation. After the mid-1990’s, locomotives were scattered amongst numerous Private Operators receiving a wide array of colourful liveries.
Several locomotives were prematurely withdrawn due to fire or accident damage. Commencing in 2000, further members have been withdrawn. As of late 2010, 21 members remain in active service status with most being operated by Freightliner and 2 additional locomotives being refurbished and exported to Hungary. Currently, four locomotives have been preserved, all in operational condition.
John Faulkner
Class 86 (AL6) Releases (31)
Class 86 (AL6) Images (31)
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive 86401
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive 86405
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive 86417
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive - Frank Hornby 86414
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive - Glenfiddich 86241
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive - NHS 50 86218
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive - Post Haste 86419
Class 86 Bo-Bo Electric Locomotive - The Kingsman 86417
Class 86 Electric Locomotive 86631
Class 86 Electric Locomotive 86602
Class 86 Electric Locomotive 86426
Class 86 Electric Locomotive 86637
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - ALSTOM Heritage 86233
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Caledonian 86245
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Cheif Engineer 86901
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Crown Point 86235
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Golden Jubilee 86227
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Halleys Comet 86504
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Hardwicke 86225
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Hartfordshire Rail Tours 86401
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - James Kennedy GC 86242
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Josiah Wedgwood 86236
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Les Ross (Preserved) 86259
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Novelty 86235
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Phoenix 86219
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Royal Anglican Regiment 86246
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - Sir Clwyd - County Of Clwyd 86248
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - The Boys Brigade 86243
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - The Rail Charter Partnership 86261
Class 86 Electric Locomotive - University Of East Anglia 86237
Class 86 Electric Locomotive -The Round Tabler 86215
