British Rail Class 76 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 76
Preserved locomotive no. 26020 in original black livery.
Power type	Electric
Builder	LNER Doncaster Works (prototype) BR Gorton Works
Build date	1941 (prototype), 1952–1953
Total production	58
Configuration	Bo+Bo
Wheel diameter	4 ft 2 in (1.270 m)
Length	50 ft 4 in (15.34 m)
Locomotive weight	87.90 long tons (89.3 t)
Electric system(s)	1500 V DC
Current collection method	Pantograph, 2 off
Traction motors	Metropolitan Vickers
Top speed	65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output	Continuous: 1,300 hp (969 kW) One-hour: 1,868 hp (1,393 kW)
Tractive effort	45,000 lbf (200,000 N)
Train heating	Steam generator (14 locomotives)
Locomotive brakeforce	72 long tons-force (717 kN)
Train brakes	Vacuum, some later Dual
Career	British Railways
Number	26000–26055; later E26000–26057; later 76001–76057
Axle load class	Route availability 8 (LNER: 9)
Locale	Manchester-Sheffield-Wath line
Retired	1970–1981

The British Rail Class 76, also known as Class EM1, was a special type of electric locomotive built for the railways in Britain. These powerful engines were designed to run on 1500 V DC electricity. They were mostly used on the Woodhead Line in Northern England, which was a very busy route for both passenger and freight trains.

What Was the Class 76?

The Class 76 was an electric train engine. It was known for its strong design, called "Bo-Bo". This means it had two sets of wheels, each with its own motors. This design helped the locomotive pull heavy loads.

Powering Up: How It Worked

These locomotives got their power from overhead electric wires. A special arm on the roof, called a pantograph, collected the electricity. This electricity then powered four large Metropolitan Vickers motors. These motors made the wheels turn, moving the train.

Built for the Woodhead Line

The Class 76 engines were specifically built for the Woodhead Line. This railway line connected Manchester and Sheffield. It was a challenging route with steep hills and long tunnels. Electric locomotives like the Class 76 were perfect for this line. They could pull heavy coal trains and passenger services efficiently.

History of the Class 76

The first Class 76 locomotive was built in 1941. Most of the other 57 engines were built between 1952 and 1953. They were made by LNER at Doncaster Works and by British Rail at Gorton Works.

Life on the Tracks

For many years, the Class 76 locomotives were the main engines on the Woodhead Line. They pulled long trains of coal from mines to power stations. They also carried passengers between cities. Their top speed was around 65 miles per hour.

Retirement of the Class 76

The Woodhead Line closed in 1981. Because of this, the Class 76 locomotives were no longer needed. They were slowly retired from service between 1970 and 1981. Most of them were scrapped, but a few were saved.

Where Are They Now?

Today, you can still see some of these historic locomotives. A few Class 76 engines have been preserved. They are kept in museums or heritage railways. This allows people to learn about these important electric trains. For example, locomotive number 26020 is preserved at the National Railway Museum in York.

Images for kids

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  Two Class EM1 locomotives at Penistone in 1954

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  An EM1 under trial in Essex in 1950

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  Class 76s at Reddish locomotive depot in 1981, shortly before withdrawal.

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  The drivers controls of a Class 76

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  Controls and gauges in a Class 76 cab

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  Coupling between bogies on a Class 76

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  26020 at York NRM

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  The cab of 76039 at Manchester MOSI

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  76051 at Barrow Hill