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16th July 2008
87002 successfully hauled its first main line test run in preservation from Crewe to Carstairs and return today, with no major problems encountered.
The train, which included 86101 as backup, and a short Cargo-D Mk2/Mk3 rake, had an additional stop at Crewe station on the outward leg to check a speedometer fault, but following the scheduled halt at Carnforth to check the loco over, ran mostly early, returning to Crewe at 1550.
Our thanks go to: GBRf and their excellent train crew for their superb handling of the loco, and support in making the run a success; to Cargo-D for supplying and co-ordinating the stock (which was also under test on the run), and for the initial planning work; LNWR for their examinations and repair work at Crewe; TCL for the certification and inspection; Sharpe Engineering for the OTMR design and fitment, Brecknell Willis for their assistance with the pantograph overhaul; and ETS for workshop facilities at Long Marston. Naturally, thanks to the main line restoration team who made 87002's return possible at all, and to all our members for their continued support.
Photos of the run can be found in the gallery below.
25th June 2008
86101 departed Crewe on 23rd June for Warrington, where it will see use as a standby loco on Mondays to Fridays for GBRf's Royal Mail traffic between Shieldmuir and Willesden. This duty replicates the previous use of Class 87s during 2005-2007.
Once recertified, 87002 will act as a backup to 86101 to cover for exams and maintenance, etc, or as additional traction if required.
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24th June 2008
Following recommissioning tests, 87002's pantograph was raised last week at Crewe LNWR. There are a few more tests to do prior to recertification, and a couple of minor faults to rectify, as expected after over 18 months out of use.
We are currently aiming for a main-line test run in July.
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12th June 2008
The group displayed 86401 and 87002 at last weekend's Long Marston open days, the latter proving to be a very popular exhibit with visitors. The Group and ETS shared a stand at the event and showed visitors into the cab of 87028 in the shed.
Also on display were the majority of the remaining 87s and 86/2s.
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6th June 2008
87002 will feature as one of the main exhibits at this weekend's Long Marston gala, as it is rolled out for the first time since completion of its overhaul. The loco has been backdated to its 1970s / early-1980s appearance, as far as possible, with original 36-way jumper cables, Royal Sovereign nameplates and BR blue livery. It retains the more modern headlight, high-speed pantograph and TDM equipment. It is due to leave Long Marston this coming Friday for final commissioning and a return to service.
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31st May 2008
The group's site support loco, 73138, has been in action at the Churnet Valley Railway, providing traction for the Diesel Gala as well as a few other days of operation. The loco has been paired up with the line's 4-VEP and visiting Class 33/1 for a full Southern experience!
73138 will remain at the line until the end of June.
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30th May 2008
Our 83 has been on display at the NRM's '1968 and all that' show this week. The loco, which is visible from the public area, is being displayed with a Freightliner flat complete with original caboose.
The show runs until 1st June.
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19th May 2008
Class AL3, E3035 has been repainted into 'Electric Blue' livery for its upcoming display at the NRM's '1968 and all that' show.
The work has been carried out by ACLG volunteers, with the assistance of ETS staff, over the last few months to exhibition standard. The loco is due to move today to York, hauled by a GBRf 66.
The NRM show runs from 24th May to 1st June.
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27th April 2008
The AC Locomotive Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of 87002 for preservation, with the kind co-operation of the Bulgarian Railway Company, Porterbrook and Romic Ace.
With paperwork now finalised, following negotiations which have been ongoing since mid-2007, 87002 will not now be exported to Bulgaria as previously planned. Since its arrival at Long Marston at the end of January 2008, the Group's main line team have undertaken a full E-exam, fitted OTMR equipment, sent the pantograph for overhaul (with special thanks to Brecknell Willis for their assistance), and are currently completing a repaint from the previous Porterbrook livery. The locomotive will be reunited with its old name, Royal Sovereign, and be moved for 25kV testing within the next few weeks.
The acquisition of an example of Class 87 completes the Group's collection of West Coast Main Line traction types, which now comprises ten AC electric locomotives: 81002, 82008, 83012, 84001 (on loan from the NRM), 85101, 86101 (main line certified), 86213, 86401 (nearing completion but awaiting a component), 87002 and 89001.
A special edition of ACLines is now available to download for group members. Go to the members' forum for details of the password.
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27th April 2008
Following an additional weekend of use with Hull Trains, on 18-20th April, 86101 stepped down from its class 1 duties after a little over four months of regular use.
During the period on hire, 86101 notched up some spectacular performances on the light load, and achieved a 100% reliability record, having operated every service it was diagrammed for.
86101 is returning to LNWR Crewe today, 27th April; a number of charter workings have been pencilled in for later in the year, so look out for Sir Bill under the wires somewhere near you!
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27th April 2008
Our class 83, E3035 (83012) is now in undercoat, ready for a new top coat of Electric Blue in anticipation of its visit to the NRM next month.
The electrical team is looking into restoring the cooling fans to Roaring status once again - the last time the loco's fans were started was back in the early 2000s using the group's generator van, which has since moved elsewhere.
17th April 2008
It looks likely that 86101 will make one more appearance this weekend prior to the launch of Class 180s on the Hull Trains diagram.
86101 is likely to remain on standby for another week to cover for any teething problems with the 180s, after which it will move from Bounds Green for other duties.
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22nd March 2008
In preparation for its planned appearance at the NRM this summer, E3035 is having a full repaint. The loco will retain "Electric Blue" livery, as requested by the NRM, but should feature small yellow warning panels.
Work started at Barrow Hill today, with ACLG volunteers cleaning, sanding and preparing the bodywork. Further working days will see the loco fully prepared and repainted.
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28th February 2008
The loco which has carried the group's name for the last three years has had its nameplates removed as part of its preparation for a new lease of life.
87002, in faded Porterbrook purple livery, arrived at Long Marston at the end of January, along with 87022 and 87028, where they and the rest of the fleet will be prepared for export to Bulgaria.
Named without ceremony on 27th April 2005, 87002 saw service as our "main line ambassador" over the next two years, featuring as the reserve loco on the first Virgin 87 Farewell run (10th June 2005), and appearing at the Crewe Works open weekend in September. It then saw use on Royal Mail services, under the auspices of GBRf, and later in 2006 returned briefly to passenger use with Virgin. It had the dubious honour, as it turned out, of hauling the very last Class 87-hauled passenger train on December 22nd 2006, after which it was withdrawn and stored at Wembley.
11th February 2008
A hearty congratulations from all at The AC Locomotive Group and ETL to Les Ross and the Vintage Trains team for getting 86259/E3137 back on the main line last Friday.
We know exactly how you feel! Good luck and best wishes for the 1st March railtour - now how about some Top-n-Tail preserved ACs?
For pictures and more details, see e3137.co.uk
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| Newly outshopped EP07-1051 hauls classmates 1037 and 1038 on test. |
6th February 2008
A Polish EP07 locomotive, a DC derivative of the BR Class 83, will be officially unveiled in BR-style 'Electric Blue' livery on the 9th February. The loco, formerly numbered EU07-054, has been renumbered EP07-1051, and repainted at the Olesnica Works by PKP staff. The AC Loco Group provided drawings and illustrations to help with this project, which is being co-ordinated by The Wolsztyn Experience and PKP Regional.
In addition, the Group has supplied the pair of replica BR Lion and Wheel logos for the bodysides.
The loco has been out on test following its repaint.
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12th January 2008
86101 operated its first regular service train for Hull Trains yesterday evening, running from Doncaster to Kings Cross, arriving five minutes ahead of schedule.
The loco's performance, once again, was exemplary - a testament to the months of hard work put into its restoration, upgrading and overhaul by ACLG volunteers prior to hand-over in November. The loco is now being maintained by NXEC at Bounds Green to ETL's VMI.
The loco will be working Fridays and weekends for the next few months, with the Mk3+DVT set.
The diagram is as follows:
Friday 1G97 2021 Doncaster - Kings Cross 2212
Saturday 1G03 0934 Kings Cross - Doncaster 1123
Saturday 1G96 1911 Doncaster - Kings Cross 2102
Sunday 1G42 1042 Kings Cross - Doncaster
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2nd January 2008
Plans are at a very early stage for a railtour featuring four Class 87s in Bulgaria later this year.
Depending on progress with exports, the train is likely to run sometime in September and be top-and-tailed by pairs of 87s. An early route suggestion is Sofia - Varna and return (about 240 miles each way).
Full details will be published over the next few months. To help us gauge interest in this tour, please send us a message via the contact form selecting Bulgarian 87 Railtour from the contact list.
7th December 2007
83012 will visit the NRM, York, next year for a week-long event marking the 40th Anniversary of the end of steam.
Prior to the event, 83012's existing Electric Blue livery, applied in 2000, will be renewed, and various minor repairs undertaken to allow it to travel by rail once again (it's last trip out was to Crewe Works in 2005).
The loco is to be exhibited with a Freightliner flat of the era, including Caboose, describing the Modernisation aspect to contrast with the steam theme.
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Last modified: 14 October 2006 11:53:34.