British Rail Class 85

British Railways AL5
British Rail Class 85

85007 at Carlisle

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder British Railways’ Doncaster Works Build date 1961–1964 Total produced 40

Specifications Configuration Bo-Bo AAR wheel arr B-B UIC class Bo-Bo Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m) Length 56 ft 6 in (17.22 m) Loco weight Electric system(s) 25 kV AC Catenary Traction motors 847 hp (632 kW) BTH 189, 4 off Train heating Electric Train Heating Loco brake Air Train brakes Vacuum, Dual from 1968–1971

Performance figures Maximum speed 85/0: 100 mph (160 km/h) 85/1: 80 mph (130 km/h) Power output 3,200 hp (2,400 kW) Tractive effort Loco brakeforce

Career Operators British Rail Numbers E3056–E3095; later 85001–85040 Axle load class Route availability 6 Retired 1981–1992 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

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 (81-85) were built and evaluated, which eventually led to the development of the Class 86 locomotive. The locomotives of Class 85 were originally fitted with germanium rectifiers which were eventually replaced by silicon rectifiers. Forty of these locomotives were built from 1961-64 by BR at Doncaster Works. The class were used to haul trains on the then newly electrified West Coast Main Line, from Birmingham, to Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool and later Preston. By 1965, electrification had spread south to London Euston.

Under the earlier BR classification, the type was given the designation AL5 (meaning the 5th design of 25 kV AC locomotive), and locomotives were numbered E3056-E3095. In 1968, this was changed to Class 85, when BR introduced a new computer numbering system. From 1971 onwards, locomotives were progressively renumbered into the 85001-040 series. Fifteen locomotives were converted for freight only use, numbered in the 85/1 series - see table below. These locomotives were restricted to 80 mph.

Power supply

The locomotives always worked on power provided by overhead catenary energized at 25,000 V AC. However, the main transformer, normally operated with the four windings in series, could be operated at 6250V AC with the transformer windings in parallel. This voltage was initially to be used where limited clearances gave concern over use of the higher voltage.

Preservation

One locomotive has been preserved, 85101 (having previously numbered E3061 & 85 006) This locomotive is preserved by the AC Locomotive Group, who also have examples of Classes 81-86. at Barrow Hill Engine Shed. It was named to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Doncaster Works, and is painted in Railfreight Distribution livery, a livery it never carried in service. Their intention is to eventually restore this locomotive to operational condition.

Fleet details

File:85101 'Doncaster Plant 150 1853-2003' at Doncaster Works.JPG

Class 85, no. 85101 'Doncaster Plant 150 1853-2003', on display at Doncaster Works open day on 27 July 2003

Class	No. Built (* Converted)	Loco Nos.	Withdrawn
Class 85/0	40	85001-85040	1991
Class 85/1	14*	85101-85114	1991

Key:	Preserved	Scrapped

Numbers			Withdrawn	Disposal
Class AL5	Class 85/0	Class 85/1
E3056	85001	-	1985	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3057	85002	-	1989	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3058	85003	85113	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3059	85004	85111	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3060	85005	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3061	85006	85101	1992	Preserved at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
E3062	85007	85112	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3063	85008	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3064	85009	85102	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3065	85010	85103	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3066	85011	85114	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3067	85012	85104	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3068	85013	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3069	85014	-	1989	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3070	85015	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3071	85016	85105	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3072	85017	-	1987	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3073	85018	-	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3074	85019	-	1989	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow
E3075	85020	-	1990	Accident damaged Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3076	85021	85106	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3077	85022	-	1989	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3078	85023	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3079	85024	85107	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3080	85025	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow
E3081	85026	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3082	85027	-	1983	Fire damaged Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow
E3083	85028	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3084	85029	-	1988	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3085	85030	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3086	85031	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3087	85032	85108	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3088	85033	-	1984	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow
E3089	85034	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3090	85035	85109	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3091	85036	85110	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3092	85037	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3093	85038	-	1990	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3094	85039	-	1987	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
E3095	85040	-	1991	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow

External links

• AC Locomotive Group - Owners of preserved locomotive no. 85101 / E3061
• High-Voltage A.C. Locomotives Built by British Railways, Publisher:Associated Electrical Industries Ltd.