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British Rail Class 85

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British Railways AL5
British Rail Class 85
85007 at Carlisle
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderBritish Railways’ Doncaster Works
Build date1961–1964
Total produced40
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo-Bo
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Length56 ft 6 in (17.22 m)
Loco weight79.5 long tons (80.8 t; 89.0 short tons)
Electric system/s25 kV AC Catenary
Traction motors847 hp (632 kW) BTH 189, 4 off
Train heatingElectric Train Heating
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesVacuum, Dual from 1968–1971
Performance figures
Maximum speed85/0: 100 mph (160 km/h)
85/1: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Power output3,200 hp (2,400 kW)
Tractive effort50,000 lbf (222,000 N)
Brakeforce69 long tons-force (688 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Rail
NumbersE3056–E3095; later 85001–85040
Axle load classRoute availability 6
Retired1981–1992
DispositionOne 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.

History

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.

The locomotives of Class 85 were originally fitted with germanium rectifiers[1] which were eventually replaced by silicon rectifiers.

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.[1] In 1968, this was changed to Class 85, when BR introduced the TOPS 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.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 27 April 1989, a passenger train hauled by 85 012 was derailed near Northampton.[2]

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 81-84 and 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

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[3] 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[nb 1] 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

Notes

  1. ^ 85029 was withdrawn at Crewe on 17 May 1988.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Longhurst 1979, Class AL5–85
  2. ^ McCrickard, John P (6 October 2016). "January 1989 to December 1989". Network South East Railway Society. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Furness, Ian. "Disposals: Class 85". wnxx. End of the Line: Withdrawn & Stored Locomotives UK. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Traction Talk: Class 85". RAIL. No. 83. EMAP National Publications. August 1988. p. 58. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.

Sources

Further reading

  • Derrick, Kevin (2014). Looking back at AC Electric Locomotives. Strathwood. ISBN 9781905276516. OCLC 931820979.
  • McManus, Michael. Ultimate Allocations, British Railways Locomotives 1948 - 1968. Wirral. Michael McManus.
  • "Not the Class 85!". Traction. No. 188. Warners Group Publications. June 2010. ISSN 1354-2680.
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