With new electrification of British Rail routes continuing in the 1980s, especially the East Coast Main Line (ECML), a new generation of electric locomotives would be required. The Class 89 was a prototype locomotive, with a Co-Co wheel arrangement unlike earlier AC electric locomotives which had all been Bo-Bos. The Class 89 was also fitted with advanced power control systems with a maximum power output of nearly 8,000 hp (and a continuous output of over 5, 748 hp). It is capable of travelling at 125 mp/h.
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| 89 001 at Barrow Hill Roundhouse |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 1 |
| Built: | 1986 |
| Builder: | BREL Crewe / Brush Traction |
| Motor: | 6 Brush TM2201A traction motors (25kV AC OHLE) |
| Power: | 5, 748 hp (4, 286 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: | Co-Co |
The locomotive was designed by Brush Traction and built by BREL Crewe in 1986. Early in the programme the Class 89 was considered as potential traction for the East Coast Main Line [1] and an eventual fleet of 33 to be built though by the time the Class 89 was built the specification for the ECML had changed (to be filled by the Class 91) and only one Class 89 ended up being built.
The Class 89 was used on test trains on both the West Coast Main Line and ECML in the late 1980s. Operations continued until 1992 when the locomotive suffered a serious failure, it was withdrawn by BR as being surplus to requirements (by then) and non-standard [2].
The Class 89 was saved by the privatising railway in 1996. The new operator on the ECML, Great North East Railway bought it back into service [3] and paid for an overhaul to help cover a shortage of motive power at the time. The Class 89 was withdrawn due to another failure in 2000 and again surplus to requirements. The locomotive was purchased for preservation in 2006, after a long overhaul and refurbishment it is planned for the Class 89 to return to the mainline for charter work.
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| 89 001 front profile |
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| 89 001 wears Intercity swallow livery |
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| Another photograph of 89 001 |
[1] Brian Haresnape, Electric Locomotives (Ian Allan, 1983) p. 20