British Rail Class 85


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 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, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool, and later. By 1965, electrification had spread south to London Euston.
The locomotives of Class 85 were originally fitted with germanium rectifiers which were eventually replaced by silicon rectifiers.
Under the earlier BR classification, the type was given the designation AL5, and locomotives were numbered E3056-E3095. 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

One locomotive has been preserved, 85101 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

ClassNo. Built
Loco Nos.Withdrawn
Class 85/04085001-850401991
Class 85/114*85101-851141991