To commemorate 150 years of train building and maintenance at Doncaster, Wabtec organised a major open day on the weekend of 27th-28th July 2003. We were asked to provide a locomotive for the show, so we sent three! 85101 was built at Doncaster in 1961, whilst the other two exhibits, E3035 (83012) and 84001 were both heavily refurbished at "The Plant" in the early 1970s.
On the Sunday afternoon, 85101 was named "DONCASTER PLANT 150 1853-2003" to commemorate the many thousands of staff who had worked at the plant over the years. It became the first Class 85 to carry an official cast nameplate.
On the Sunday afternoon, 85101 was named "DONCASTER PLANT 150 1853-2003" to commemorate the many thousands of staff who had worked at the plant over the years. It became the first Class 85 to carry an official cast nameplate.