British Rail Class 80

British Rail Class 80
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Metropolitan-Vickers Build date 1951; rebuilt 1958
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte A1A-A1A  • UIC (A1A)'(A1A)' Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m) Length 56 ft 6 in (17.22 m) Width 8 ft 8+1⁄4 in (2.65 m) Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) Electric system/s 25 kV AC Current pickup(s) Stone-Faiveley ‘V’-type pantograph, 1 off Traction motors Metropolitan-Vickers, 4 off Train heating Electric Train Heating Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Tractive effort 40,000 lbf (178,000 N)
Career Axle load class Route availability Retired April 1968 Disposition Sold for scrap to J. Cashmore, Great Bridge, 1973

Class 80 was the TOPS classification allocated by British Rail to the prototype 25 kV AC electric locomotive. This locomotive was built by Metropolitan-Vickers, initially as a prototype Gas turbine-electric locomotive, numbered 18100. British Rail allocated the number E1000 (and later E2001) to the locomotive following its conversion from gas turbine propulsion.

Conversion

Its new electric propulsion meant it was rated at 2500hp, giving a maximum speed of 90mph and weighing 109 tons. In addition, it was also converted from Co-Co to A1A-A1A wheel arrangement when the centre traction motor from each bogie was removed. The new traction motor rating (with four motors) was about the same as the original rating (with six motors). This suggests that new traction motors were fitted.

The conversion of the locomotive began in January 1958 when the locomotive was moved from storage at Dukinfield Works to the Bowesfield Works at Stockton-on-Tees. The work involved the removal of the gas turbine unit, main generator, fuel tank, air filters, the centre traction motor from each bogie and all of the ancillary equipment used for the gas turbine unit.

Once the locomotive had been stripped, the new electrical equipment was installed which included the transformer, the Stone-Faiveley Pantograph (for which a section of the roof had to be lowered), a Brown Boveri air blast circuit breaker and the Hackbridge-Hewittic mercury arc rectifier units.

The cabs of the locomotive were converted from Western Region right-hand drive to the standard British Rail left-hand drive arrangement. The rebuilt locomotive was completed and ready for trials in October 1958. It retained its original BR black livery, with a silver stripe around the middle of the body and silver numbers.

Usage

The locomotive was used to prepare the ground for the 25kV AC electrification being installed on the West Coast Main Line, including the testing of overhead line equipment and staff training.

Withdrawal

Once the production locomotives (Class 81 onwards) were in service, E2001 was no longer required. It was put into store at the end of 1961, and lasted for over ten years at various locations. It was officially withdrawn in April 1968 and scrapped in November 1972 at J. Cashmore in Great Bridge.

Sources

• Electric Railways 1880-1990 by Michael C. Duffy (ISBN 0852968051)
• The Power of the AC Electrics by Brian Morrison (ISBN 086093246X)