The AC Locomotive Group

The AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) is pleased to announce progress on the restoration of locomotive 89001 and the imminent commencement of major repair work.

Over the last few months ACLG volunteers have completed an assessment of the condition the locomotive, reconditioned the battery systems, removed the obsolete NRN radio system from the cabs and commenced refurbishment of the cab interiors.

The locomotive will shortly be moved to the workshops of Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) for the first stage in heavy overhaul works to be undertaken. The overhaul work will concentrate on two key areas; bogies and traction power equipment. Bogie work will comprise of an ultrasonic inspection of the locomotive axles and the locomotive being lifted to allow the removal of traction motors 4-6 for overhaul (traction motors 1-3 have already been removed and overhauled). The traction power equipment overhaul work will require the removal of the locomotive roof after which the field convertor cubicles, rheostatic brake stacks additionally the cab air conditioning units will both be removed. Removal of the field convertor cubicles will enable the repair of field convertors 1, 3, 4 and 6 to be completed; ACLG volunteers having already removed field convertors 2 & 5 by hand and both of these units have already been overhauled. Overhaul of the traction motors will be undertaken by Bowers Electrical and the overhaul of the field convertors will be undertaken by Fletcher Moorland.

In addition to the volunteer technical and project management team from within the ACLG Tim Bralesford (Bralesford Engineering Services) will be providing project management and technical services. Tim has unrivalled knowledge of the 89 as he worked on its design, construction and commissioning in the 1980s and its overhaul and re-commissioning in the 1990s.

The restoration of the Class 89 is a major project with considerable complexity and as such a date cannot be set when the locomotive will be returned to operational condition.

A technical ‘walk through’ of the locomotive (including some of the equipment to be repaired) is on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxbv_-QCa6A

Funding for the repairs to 89001 is being provided from funds generated by the mainline operations of locomotives 86101, 86401 and 87002, the sale of locomotive 86213 and from donations to the AC Locomotive Group.