BR Cl. 86 AC Elec. - 86 259

Built : BR Doncaster 1966

Withdrawn : Oct 2003

Preserved : 2005

Restored : 2008

Mainline Certified : Feb 2008

Numbers Carried : E3137; 86 045; 86 259

Names Carried : Peter Pan; Greater Manchester The Life & Soul Of Britain, Les Ross.

Further Information : www.aclocogroup.co.uk www.E3137.co.uk

Images : click on an image to enlarge

86 259 is a member of the once 100 strong Class AL6 AC electric locomotives that were built for the original West Coast Main Line electrification scheme from Euston to Birmingham, Crewe, Liverpool & Manchester. These locomotives were used on both express passenger work and freight duties. In later years, locomotives were allocated to BR sub-sectors and were modified from "mixed traffic" locomotives pricipally re-gearing. With the advent of "tdm control" and push-pull working it was possible to utilise the locomotives more effectively and this enabled a number to be released from WCML duties for use on the East Anglia services from Liverpool Street.

This 25kV AC electric locomotive was built at Doncaster in 1966 and entered service with the number E3137. It was renumbered into the TOPS scheme as 86 045. It was later rebuilt with flexicoil suspension and fitted with resilient wheels and became part of the Class 86/2 when it was renumbered 86 259.

It received the name 'Peter Pan' in 1979 when BR recommenced naming locomotives. However, it was renamed in 1995 to 'Greater Manchester The Life & Soul Of Britain'. In 2002 it was further renamed by Virgin Trains to 'Les Ross' a Birmingham based DJ. The locomotive was a regular performer on the Birmingham New Street to London Euston trains at that time. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in October 2003.

86 259 arrived at Tyseley, devoid of nameplates following a period in store in Virgin livery.

It has since been overhauled and repainted into BR Electric Blue livery.

The locomotive completed its main line test run successfully on 8th February 2008 and became a main line registered locomotive.

It headed its first excursion 'The Les Ross Daytripper' in private ownership from Birmingham New Steet to Liverpool Lime Street and return on 1st March 2008, with an additional 'mid day' run from Preston to Crewe on that day to turn the complete train.

For more information and the latest news about this locomotive visit www.E3137.co.uk