Jump to content

AC Locomotive Group: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m fixed lint errors – file options; thumbnails shouldn't be used in galleries
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|British electric locomotive preservation society}}
'''The AC Locomotive Group''' is the [[UK]]'s only dedicated [[Alternating current|AC]] [[electric locomotive]] preservation society. It currently has ten AC locomotives in its care, numbers [[British Rail Class 81|81002]], [[British Rail Class 82|82008]], [[British Rail Class 83|83012]], [[British Rail Class 84|84001]], [[British Rail Class 85|85101]], [[British Rail Class 86|86101, 86213, 86401]], [[British Rail Class 87|87002]], [[British Rail Class 89|89001]], and DC electro-diesel [[British Rail Class 73|73138]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
[[File:E3035 (5588088497).jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 83|83012]] at [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed]] in August 2008]]


'''The AC Locomotive Group''' is a dedicated [[Alternating current|AC]] [[electric locomotive]] preservation society in England. It has five locomotives in its care: [[British Rail Class 81|81002]], [[British Rail Class 82|82008]], [[British Rail Class 83|83012]], [[British Rail Class 85|85101]] and [[British Rail Class 89|89001]].
== History ==
=== Locomotives ===
[[image:E3035_at_Doncaster_Works.JPG|thumb|Class 83, no. E3035, on display at [[Doncaster Works]] open day on 27th July]]
In 1996, [[Pete Waterman]], who had purchased the sole surviving examples of AC electric classes 81, 82, 83 and 85, put his entire fleet of locomotives for sale. The AC Locomotive Group formed with the intention of purchasing all four machines. This was accomplished in June 1997, and three of the four locomotives were moved to [[Barrow Hill Roundhouse]] in December 1998, with the fourth joining them in early 2000. Also in 2000, the group took [[British Rail Class 84|84001]] on loan from the [[National Railway Museum]], and this loco was subsequently given a major cosmetic overhaul following a long period stored in the open.


==History==
In 2002, the leasing company HSBC Rail UK placed [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86, 86213]], on loan to the group at Barrow Hill, while in 2004 the group purchased its first Class 86 outright - 86401. The same year, [[GNER]] placed their unique [[British Rail Class 89|Class 89]], 89001, into the group's care following closure of part of Doncaster Works where it had been stored out of use.
===Locomotives===
In 1996, [[Pete Waterman]], who had purchased the sole surviving examples of AC electric classes [[British Rail Class 81|81]], [[British Rail Class 82|82]], [[British Rail Class 83|83]] and [[British Rail Class 85|85]], put his entire fleet of locomotives for sale. The AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) was formed with the intention of purchasing all four machines. This was accomplished in June 1997, and three of the four locomotives were moved to [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed]] in December 1998, with the fourth joining them in early 2000. Also between 2000 and 2008, the group had [[British Rail Class 84|84001]] on loan from the [[National Railway Museum]], and this was given a major cosmetic overhaul following a long period stored in the open.


In 2002, leasing company [[Eversholt Rail Group|HSBC Rail UK]] placed [[British Rail Class 86|86213]] on loan to the group while in 2004, 86401 was purchased.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
In 2005 the group was honoured by the naming of [[British Rail Class 87|Class 87]] locomotive, no 87002, as "The AC Locomotive Group". This loco was, at the time, owned by Porterbrook Leasing and painted in their purple colour scheme, and later became the last Class 87 to haul a passenger train in regular service. Also in 2005, the group formally purchased 86213 and also loco 86101.
Former Network SouthEast 86401 is first Class 86 for preservation |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=492 |date=21 July 2004 |page=68}}</ref> The same year, [[Great North Eastern Railway|GNER]] placed [[British Rail Class 89|89001]] into the group's care following closure of part of [[Doncaster Works]] where it had been stored out of use.


In 2005 the ACLG was honoured by the naming of [[British Rail Class 87|87002]] as ''The AC Locomotive Group''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
At the end of 2006 GNER put 89001 up for sale, and following a high-profile appeal, the group successfully purchased the loco for preservation. Finally, in 2008, the group was able to acquire the loco that carried their name, 87002, for preservation.
87002 named after AC Loco group |magazine=[[Today's Railways UK|Entrain]] |issue=43 |date= July 2005 |page=48}}</ref> This was owned by [[Porterbrook]] and painted in its purple colour scheme, and later became the last Class 87 to haul a passenger train in regular service. Also in 2005, the group purchased 86101 and 86213.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
AC Loco Group secures two more Class 86s |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1254 |date= October 2005 |page=77}}</ref>


At the end of 2006 GNER put 89001 up for sale, and following a high-profile appeal, the ACLG successfully purchased the loco for preservation.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
=== Restoration ===
The Badger is saved: ACLG appeal a success |magazine=[[Rail Express]] |issue=128 |date= January 2007 |page=27}}</ref> In 2008, the group was able to acquire the loco that carried its name, 87002, for preservation.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
[[Image:85101 'Doncaster Plant 150 1853-2003' at Doncaster Works.JPG|thumb|85101 in Railfreight Distribution livery, a "fictitious" livery it never carried in service.]]
ACLG buys 87002 in surprise move - and main line looms |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=592 |date= 21 May 2008 |page=68}}</ref> For four months in early 2008, 86101 operated services from [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] to [[Doncaster railway station|Doncaster]] hauling [[Cargo-D]] [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3s]] under hire to [[Hull Trains|First Hull Trains]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
The group made great strides to restore electrical equipment in their early locos; early successes included the restoration of auxiliary equipment (including cooling fans) in locos 82008 and 83012. In 2006, 81002 was completed electrically to a condition where it could be powered up from the overhead wires. All three Class 86s in the fleet have been made operational: 86101 was restored to mainline condition in 2006-2007, hauling its first charter train in March 2007, and subsequently going on hire to Hull Trains for four months in early 2008; 86213 sees use as a shunter and training loco at Wembley depot; 86401 has also been restored to mainline condition, but has not yet been recertified.
Preserved 86 enters service with Hull Trains |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=584 |date= 30 January 2008 |page=11}}</ref> In February 2016, 86213 was sold for export to Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
Trio of 86s sold for export |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=796 |date= 17 March 2016 |page=26}}</ref>


The ACLG hired 86101, 86401 and 87002 to main-line operator [[Electric Traction Limited]] for use on ''[[Caledonian Sleeper]]'' services from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]] between 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
Most locomotives in the collection have received full cosmetic overhauls since acquisition, with both 82008 and 85101 receiving "fictitious" makeovers for various periods.
86/4 to receive Sleeper livery |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=776 |date= 10 June 2015 |page=27}}</ref> After this work ceased in May 2019, 86101 and 87002 were sold to [[Locomotive Services]] and 86401 to [[West Coast Railways]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=
Class 86s and 87 for sale as Caledonian Sleeper contract ends |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=890 |date= 23 October 2019 |page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=
Locomotive Services buys Class 86 and 87 from ETL |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1425 |date= December 2019 |page=105}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=
West Coast Railways secure 86401 |magazine=[[Railways Illustrated]] |issue=April 2020 |page=17}}</ref>


===Restoration===
==Mainline Operations==
The ACLG made great strides to restore electrical equipment in their early locomotives; early successes included the restoration of auxiliary equipment (including cooling fans) in locomotives 82008 and 83012. In 2006, 81002 was completed electrically to a condition where it could be powered up from the overhead wires.
The group currently has one mainline-registered locomotive (86101), which has operated on charters and in regular passenger service. Both 86401 and 87002 are in line for a return to mainline operation.


Most locomotives in the collection have received full cosmetic overhauls since acquisition, with both 82008 and 85101 receiving fictitious makeovers for various periods. As at June 2020, 89001 is in the final stages of an overhaul to return it to main line operation.<ref>[https://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/105-89001-moved-to-toton 89001 moves to Toton] AC Locomotive Group 4 May 2020</ref>
==External Links==
* [http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/ Official website]


==Gallery==
[[Category:Electric locomotives]]
<gallery class="center">
Image:86101 Hull Trains 1.jpg|[[British Rail Class 86|86101]] at [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] in January 2008
Image:87002Waverley.jpg|[[British Rail Class 87|87002]] in [[Caledonian Sleeper]] livery at [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] in May 2015
Image:89001 at Barrowhill.jpg|[[British Rail Class 89|89001]] at [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed]] in September 2011
</gallery>


==References==
{{UK-rail-stub}}
{{Reflist}}
{{electric-loco-stub}}

==External links==
*[http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/ Official website]

[[Category:Preserved electric locomotives]]
[[Category:Rail transport preservation in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 00:19, 1 March 2024

83012 at Barrow Hill Engine Shed in August 2008

The AC Locomotive Group is a dedicated AC electric locomotive preservation society in England. It has five locomotives in its care: 81002, 82008, 83012, 85101 and 89001.

History

[edit]

Locomotives

[edit]

In 1996, Pete Waterman, who had purchased the sole surviving examples of AC electric classes 81, 82, 83 and 85, put his entire fleet of locomotives for sale. The AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) was formed with the intention of purchasing all four machines. This was accomplished in June 1997, and three of the four locomotives were moved to Barrow Hill Engine Shed in December 1998, with the fourth joining them in early 2000. Also between 2000 and 2008, the group had 84001 on loan from the National Railway Museum, and this was given a major cosmetic overhaul following a long period stored in the open.

In 2002, leasing company HSBC Rail UK placed 86213 on loan to the group while in 2004, 86401 was purchased.[1] The same year, GNER placed 89001 into the group's care following closure of part of Doncaster Works where it had been stored out of use.

In 2005 the ACLG was honoured by the naming of 87002 as The AC Locomotive Group.[2] This was owned by Porterbrook and painted in its purple colour scheme, and later became the last Class 87 to haul a passenger train in regular service. Also in 2005, the group purchased 86101 and 86213.[3]

At the end of 2006 GNER put 89001 up for sale, and following a high-profile appeal, the ACLG successfully purchased the loco for preservation.[4] In 2008, the group was able to acquire the loco that carried its name, 87002, for preservation.[5] For four months in early 2008, 86101 operated services from London King's Cross to Doncaster hauling Cargo-D Mark 3s under hire to First Hull Trains.[6] In February 2016, 86213 was sold for export to Bulgaria.[7]

The ACLG hired 86101, 86401 and 87002 to main-line operator Electric Traction Limited for use on Caledonian Sleeper services from London Euston to Edinburgh and Glasgow between 2015 and 2019.[8] After this work ceased in May 2019, 86101 and 87002 were sold to Locomotive Services and 86401 to West Coast Railways.[9][10][11]

Restoration

[edit]

The ACLG made great strides to restore electrical equipment in their early locomotives; early successes included the restoration of auxiliary equipment (including cooling fans) in locomotives 82008 and 83012. In 2006, 81002 was completed electrically to a condition where it could be powered up from the overhead wires.

Most locomotives in the collection have received full cosmetic overhauls since acquisition, with both 82008 and 85101 receiving fictitious makeovers for various periods. As at June 2020, 89001 is in the final stages of an overhaul to return it to main line operation.[12]

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Former Network SouthEast 86401 is first Class 86 for preservation". Rail Magazine. No. 492. 21 July 2004. p. 68.
  2. ^ "87002 named after AC Loco group". Entrain. No. 43. July 2005. p. 48.
  3. ^ "AC Loco Group secures two more Class 86s". The Railway Magazine. No. 1254. October 2005. p. 77.
  4. ^ "The Badger is saved: ACLG appeal a success". Rail Express. No. 128. January 2007. p. 27.
  5. ^ "ACLG buys 87002 in surprise move - and main line looms". Rail Magazine. No. 592. 21 May 2008. p. 68.
  6. ^ "Preserved 86 enters service with Hull Trains". Rail Magazine. No. 584. 30 January 2008. p. 11.
  7. ^ "Trio of 86s sold for export". Rail Magazine. No. 796. 17 March 2016. p. 26.
  8. ^ "86/4 to receive Sleeper livery". Rail Magazine. No. 776. 10 June 2015. p. 27.
  9. ^ "Class 86s and 87 for sale as Caledonian Sleeper contract ends". Rail Magazine. No. 890. 23 October 2019. p. 30.
  10. ^ "Locomotive Services buys Class 86 and 87 from ETL". The Railway Magazine. No. 1425. December 2019. p. 105.
  11. ^ "West Coast Railways secure 86401". Railways Illustrated. No. April 2020. p. 17.
  12. ^ 89001 moves to Toton AC Locomotive Group 4 May 2020
[edit]