The British Rail Class 86 is a mainline AC electric locomotive introduced in the mid-1960s. Designed to provide a standard, reliable motive power for newly electrified routes, the type became a familiar sight on long-distance passenger and freight workings over several decades.
Development and role
The Class 86 was produced after trials with earlier prototype machines and was intended to supersede the experimental Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. A batch of 100 locomotives was ordered to provide a consistent fleet for the newly electrified main lines.
Construction
Builds took place between 1965 and 1966. The locomotives were manufactured by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry (located in Newton-le-Willows) and by British Rail at its Doncaster works. The production run produced a broadly standard layout with variations introduced during later overhauls and reclassifications.
Operations
Class 86s were primarily assigned to the newly electrified West Coast Main Line, operating from London Euston to major regional centres such as Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool and, in later years, to Preston and Glasgow. Their introduction played a part in the phase-out of traditional steam traction on British Rail, with steam completely withdrawn by 1968.
Later life and preservation
Over many years the Class 86 fleet was gradually reduced by accident damage, withdrawal and scrapping; a number found second careers in freight or departmental service, and several units were sold abroad. Some members of the class were exported for further use in countries such as Hungary and Bulgaria. As of 2017, three examples were recorded as preserved.