View source for British Rail Class 85

{{Infobox Locomotive
|name = British Railways AL5<br>British Rail Class 85
|powertype = Electric 
|image = File:85007 Carlisle.jpg
|caption = 85007 at Carlisle
|builder = [[British Railways]]’ [[Doncaster Works]]
|builddate = 1961–1964
|totalproduction = 40
|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|lk=on|al=on}}
|wheeldiameter = {{convert|4|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|tractionmotors = {{convert|847|hp|abbr=on}} [[BTH]] 189, 4 off
 | transmission =
|electricsystem = [[25 kV AC]] 
|whytetype = [[Bo-Bo]]
|uicclass = Bo'Bo'
|trainbrakes = Vacuum, Dual from 1968–1971
|locobrakeforce = {{convert|69|LTf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=in}}
|locobrakes = Air
|length = {{convert|56|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|width = 
|height = 
|locoweight  = {{convert|79.5|LT|sigfig=3|lk=on}}
|topspeed = {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on|lk=on}} 
|poweroutput = {{convert|3200|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|tractiveeffort = {{convert|50000|lbf|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|trainheating = [[Electric Train Heating]]
|railroad = [[British Rail]]
|roadnumber = E3056–E3095; later 85001–84040
|axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 6
|retiredate = 1981–1992
|disposition = One preserved, remainder scrapped
}}

The [[British Rail]] '''Class 85''' is an electric locomotive built during the early 1960s, as part of BR's policy to develop a standard electric locomotive. Five prototype classes (81-85) were built and evaluated, which eventually led to the development of the [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86]] locomotive. The locomotives of Class 85 were Originally fitted with [[germanium]] rectifiers which were eventually replaced by [[silicon]] rectifiers. Forty of these locomotives were built from 1961-64 by BR at [[Doncaster railway works|Doncaster]] Works. The class were 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]].

Under the earlier BR classification, the type was given the designation '''AL5''' (meaning the 5th design of 25 kV AC Locomotive), and locomotives were numbered E3056-E3095. In 1968, this was changed to Class 85, when BR introduced a new computer numbering system. From 1971 onwards, locomotives were progressively renumbered into the 85001-040 series. Fifteen locomotives were converted for freight only use, numbered in the 85/1 series. These locomotives were restricted to 80&nbsp;mph. 

{{British Rail Locomotives}}



== British Rail Class 85 Media ==
<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>
File:Electric_hauled_train_at_Euston,_1966,_geograph_6436599_by_Alan_Murray_Rust.jpg|A Class 85 at the front of a train at Euston in 1966, shortly after the introduction of electric services.

File:85101 'Doncaster Plant 150 1853-2003' at Doncaster Works.JPG|Class 85, no. 85101 'Doncaster Plant 150 1853-2003', on display at [[Doncaster railway works|Doncaster]] Works open day on 27 July 2003
</gallery>
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[[Category:British Rail electric locomotives|85]]