Class 83 Profile and Models

Class 83

E3035 at Old Oak Common Depot in August 2000. ©Steve Knight

The British Rail Class 83 electric locomotives were built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification. The class was used to haul trains on the then newly electrified West Coast Main Line, from Birmingham, to Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool and later Preston. By 1965, electrification had spread south to London Euston. As with the Class 84, the Class 83 suffered with problems due to the mercury-arc rectifiers. After spending several years in storage (1967 to 1971), they were rebuilt with silicon rectifiers. Electrification finally reached Glasgow in the early 1970s, allowing this class to operate the full length of the West Coast Main Line. All were withdrawn by the end of 1993 and one has been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Electric

Builder

English Electric at Vulcan Foundry

Build Dates

1960 to 1962

Total Built

15

Tractive Effort

38,000 lbf

Power Output

2,950 hp

Top Speed

100 mph

Wheel Configuration

Bo-Bo

Operated By

British Rail

Main Duties

Mixed Traffic

In Service Until

1993

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 LJ83
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Class 83 Electric Locomotive kit Awaiting Categorisation