TheBritish RailClass 86is the standardelectric locomotivebuilt during the 1960s. One hundred of these locomotives were built from 1965 to 1966, either byEnglish ElectricatVulcan Foundry,Newton-le-Willowsor British Rail (BR) at theirDoncaster works. The class was built to haul trains on the then newly electrifiedWest Coast Main Line(WCML) fromLondon Euston to Birmingham, Crewe, Liverpool, Manchester and laterGlasgowandPreston. Introduction of the class enabled the replacement of many steam locomotives, which were finally withdrawn by British Rail in 1968.

Under the earlier BR classification system, the type was given the designationAL6(meaning the sixth design of AC locomotive) and locomotives were numbered E3101-E3200. In 1968, this was changed to Class 86 when British Rail introduced theTOPSclassification system. The class was built to haul passenger and freight trains alike on the West Coast Main Line, however some members of the class also saw use on theGreat Eastern Main Line(GEML) betweenLondon Liverpool StreetandNorwich, after that line was also electrified in the mid-1980s.

The type has had a generally long and successful career, with some members of the class seeing main line service lives in the UK of up to 55 years. Most regular passenger duties of the class came to end on both the WCML and the GEML in the early-to-mid-2000s, after a career of up to 40 years. Some members of the class remained in use for charter work and for freight work withFreightlineruntil 2021. A number of the class were exported toBulgariaandHungaryand remain in use. As of 2022three Class 86s remain preserved in usable condition in the UK, all in private ownership.

FEATURES

• Gaugemaster Limited Edition
• Finely Applied Livery Details
• NEM Couplings
• DCC Ready