British Rail Class 81

The British Rail Class 81 was an AC electric locomotive that operated on the West Coast Main Line on the London Midland Region of British Rail. Only one was preserved.

British Railways AL1
British Rail Class 81
A row of Class 81 locomotives waiting to be scrapped
Power type Electric
Builder Associated Electrical Industries at Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Build date 1959–1964
Total production 25
Configuration Bo-Bo
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
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Wheel diameter 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Length 56 ft 6 in (17.22 m)
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Height Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
Locomotive weight 79.60 long tons (80.9 t)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC
Current collection method Stone-Faiverley ‘V’-type pantograph, 2 off (later 1 off)
Traction motors 847 hp (632 kW) AEI 189 quill drive, 4 off
Top speed 100 mph (161 km/h)
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Tractive effort Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Train heating Electric Train Heating
Locomotive brakes Air, Rheostatic
Train brakes Vacuum; Dual from 1972–1973
Career British Rail
Number E3001–E3023, E3096, E3097; later 81001–81022
Axle load class Route availability 6
Retired 1968 (2), 1971 (1), 1983–1991
Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped