Class 81 Profile and Models

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. Originally designated AL1, it was the first type of AC electric locomotive to be delivered to British Railways. The class only operated on the West Coast Main Line because they were restricted to lines electrified at 25 kV AC. Cities where these engines could be seen included London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. They operated passenger, freight and parcel trains. Five were withdrawn up to 1983 due to accident or fire damage. The remaining locomotives of the Class had relatively successful service lives of 25 to 30 years, although in their latter years they became unreliable, and displayed an increasing tendency to catch fire. However, a shortage of electric locomotives ruled out withdrawal of the fleet until the newer Class 90 locomotives came into service in the late-1980s. The final examples were used for the transfer of empty coaches between London Euston and Willesden sidings between 1989 and 1991. One example, 81002, has been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

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Surviving Examples