Class 82 (AEI/Beyer Peacock AL2)

The Class 82 (or AL2) was another of the five classes of AC electric locomotive built for the West Coast Main Line electrification. The Class 82 used AEI/Metropolitan-Vickers electrical equipment though the locomotive building was sub-contracted out to Beyer Peacock [1]. The Class 82 used a number of components in common with the Class 81, though were overweight compared to British Rail's specification due to a sturdier and more traditional method of construction used. To get back within the weight limit some parts of the structure were replaced with aluminium or fibre glass and lighter versions of some items of electrical equipment were fitted [2].

82 008 at Barrow Hill

Information
Number built:	10
Built:	1960-62
Builder:	Beyer Peacock / Metropolitan-Vickers
Engine:	4 Metropolitan-Vickers 189Z traction motors (6.25 / 25kV AC OHLE)
Power:	3, 300 hp (2, 460 kW) continuous
Wheel arrangement:	Bo-Bo

Although the Class 82 had problems with their mercury-arc rectifiers like some of the other early electric locomotives, it was not as bad as with some of the other classes. The rectifiers were replaced with silicon-diode rectifiers as with the other classes in the early 1970s. One problem the Class 82 did have at times was a tendency to overheat when stationary if the equipment was still running due to inadequate internal ventilation [3].

One was withdrawn due to fire damage in 1966, another in 1971. The rest survived into the 1980s but began to be withdrawn as sufficient supplies more modern traction became available. Two survived (along with two Class 83s) on Euston empty stock movements until 1987. One Class 82 (82 008) has been preserved.

Another view of 82 008, externally it is very similar to the other five early AC loco classes

[1] Gavin Morrison, AC Electric Locomotives (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 11
[2] Brian Haresnape, Electric Locomotives (Ian Allan, 1983) p. 49
[3] Morrison p. 11