Class 81 Profile and Models

Class 81

81008 at Stafford in April 1987. ©Steve Jones

The British Rail Class 81 is an AC electric locomotive that formerly operated on the West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region of British Rail. Originally designated AL1, it was the first type of AC electric locomotive to be delivered to British Railways. The class only operated on the West Coast Main Line because they were restricted to lines electrified at 25 kV AC. Cities where these engines could be seen included London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. They operated passenger, freight and parcel trains. Five were withdrawn up to 1983 due to accident or fire damage. The remaining locomotives of the Class had relatively successful service lives of 25 to 30 years, although in their latter years they became unreliable, and displayed an increasing tendency to catch fire. However, a shortage of electric locomotives ruled out withdrawal of the fleet until the newer Class 90 locomotives came into service in the late-1980s. The final examples were used for the transfer of empty coaches between London Euston and Willesden sidings between 1989 and 1991. One example, 81002, has been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Electric

Builder

Associated Electrical Industries at Birmingham RCW

Build Dates

1959 to 1964

Total Built

25

Tractive Effort

50,000 lbf

Power Output

3,680 hp

Top Speed

100 mph

Wheel Configuration

Bo-Bo

Operated By

British Rail

Main Duties

Mixed Traffic

In Service Until

1991

Surviving Examples

1

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) L and J Models No image available Requires assembly Not set LJ81
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Class 81 Electric Locomotive KIT Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Silver Fox No image available Requires assembly Not set AL181SF
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AL1 Class 81 Kit Awaiting Categorisation