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British Rail Class 87 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 87
No.87028 Lord President in InterCity livery at Crewe station in 1988.
Power type Electric
Builder BREL Crewe Works
Build date 1973–1975
Total production 36
Configuration Bo-Bo
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9+1⁄4 in (1.149 m)
Locomotive weight 83.30 long tons (84.64 t)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC
Current collection method Pantograph
Traction motors 1,250 hp (930 kW) GEC G412AZ, 4 off
Top speed 110 mph (180 km/h)
Power output 5,000 bhp (3,730 kW)
Tractive effort 58,000 lbf (258 kN)
Train heating Electric Train Heating
Train brakes Air
Career British Rail,
Virgin Trains, GBRf, Cotswold Rail,
Bulgarian State Railways
Number 87001–87035, 87101
Axle load class Route availability 6

The Class 87 is a powerful electric locomotive from British Rail. These trains were built between 1973 and 1975. A total of 36 Class 87 locomotives were made. They were designed to pull passenger trains. Their main route was the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

For many years, the Class 87s were the most important electric trains for British Rail. This changed in the late 1980s. Newer Class 90 trains began to take over. When the British railway system changed ownership, nearly all Class 87s went to Virgin Trains. They kept working until new Pendolino trains arrived. After that, the Class 87s were either sent to other train companies or stopped being used.

The very last Class 87 train used in the UK stopped service on 31 December 2007. Today, most of these locomotives have been sold. They are now used in Bulgaria.


Images for kids

  • 87101 BIN 1988

    The unique Class 87/1, No. 87101 Stephenson, in blue livery at Birmingham International station in 1988

  • 90007 at Crewe - 6079279784

    The Class 90 s were a modernised derivative of the Class 87s, built in the late-1980s. They were originally designated as the Class 87/2

  • 17.06.83 Glasgow Central 87006 (5867744742)

    87006 "City of Glasgow" at Glasgow Central in 1983

  • Hugh llewelyn 87 003 (7850841062)

    87003 Patriot at Manchester Piccadilly in InterCity livery in 1992

  • 87018 at Crewe

    87018 Lord Nelson in 2001 in Virgin Trains' red and black livery.

  • Class 87 87022 at Ruse Works, Bulgaria

    87022 working in Bulgaria

  • 87001 Stevenson National Railway Museum

    87001 on static display at the National Railway Museum

  • 20160911-ACLG-87002 (cropped)

    87002 working a GBRf charter through Wigan North Western

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