Class 86 - The Electric Backbone

[@Titan604]

Very good video. One minor point - the introduction of the class 87 did not free up the class 86 for Anglia, as the class 87 was introduced due to the need for more locomotives as a result of the Weaver junction to Glasgow Electrification in the 70's. In fact the opposite was the case - due to cash restraints insufficient class 87s were ordered so not only was every single 86 needed on the WCML more than ever, but even stored classes 82-84 had to be reinstated to make up the short fall. Class 86 did not become available for Anglia until class 90 was introduced in the late 80's, allowing remaining classes 81-85 to be withdrawn over the next few years and freeing up some class 86 for other work.

[@richardstout6364]

The introduction of the Mk3 Dvt was the main reason for freeing up large numbers of 86’s and class 321’s allowed the 85’s to finally be removed from Northampton/Birmingham services.

[@soundseeker63]

Thats mostly right, but actually a small fleet of 86s was moved over to East Anglia (I think it was 10 locomotives, or possibly 12, based at Illford initially, and later Norwich) from 1985, which is when electric services to Ipswich went live. A couple of years later Norwich got the full electric service to London as well. This was actually before the class 90s came in. The combination of new class 90s and new DVTs from around 1988 onwards finally allowed the older class 81/85 locos to be retired, though this happened gradually, with the last class 85s running until the end of 1991, about 4 years after the first class 90 was completed.

[@1951GL]

As a spotter in the early 60s and still suffering from steam nostalgia I recall one of these hauling me from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly - the whirr sound, the sheer pull effect, rapid acceleration. I realized this was the way to go..

[@randomscb-40charger78]

That's why despite the issues with the 1955 Modernization plan, this was best for the British rail network. Not to denounce steam even though I like them, but while many say the hundreds of BR standard steam engines never got to see full careers where some could've lasted into the 80s and 90s, I think such not happening was for the best. My reasoning is that not all were particularly fond of steam traction with smoke and all, as well as pre-BR steam engines not being able to perform as well as some classes of passenger diesel and electric locomotives. If the modernization plan hadn't happened, I believe passenger numbers would've dropped further if steam were kept around longer compared to what BR ultimately built.

[@philipholt9112]

Hi my name is Phil I have driven most of these locomotives.I started on the footplate in 1961 on steam I became a driver in 1972 I finished my time at Longsight in 2011 Regards Phil.

[@dazzlerbob1870]

Correction on the Colwich junction accident in 1986. Eric Goode was Driving 86211 which was the Liverpool to Euston service, 86429's driver and another driver in the cab was supposedly on route learning were heading north to Manchester and ran the lights due to confusion of the signalling at the junction. They both jump out before the collision and survived.

[@BazNapper]

Best locos I've ever driven. And to think, as a spotter I wasn't fussed on them!

[@paulcallaghan8885]

The last section with the train pulling away from the platform was awesome. I just shut my eyes and listened to the sounds. Thank you so much

[@ChrisCooper312]

Just one extra thing, as well as the bogies, the 86/1s also had updated traction motors and control gear as would be fitted to the 87s, and were capable of 110mph. Also, at the same time as testing the new flexicoil suspension and resilient wheels, BR also took the opportunity to test aerodynamics in connection with the HST development. This involved fitting an 86 with a fibreglass streamlined nose, and running it at high speed. I've heard it reached up to 125mph.

[@john1703]

Wiki says 129 mph, which bettered Mallard.

[@soundseeker63]

Thats true, I've seen some photos of that 86 (think it was E3173?) with the fibreglass nose cone grafted on... a very strange sight! But I supposed at that point the 86s would have been the most powerful locos running on BR so perhaps there was some logic to it. Of course the production HSTs ended up looking nothing like those early experimental ones. But presumably BR learned something useful in those strange looking trials.

[@jam5076]

Excellent video, brings back memories of the early 80s when I commuted daily between Birmingham New Street and London Euston. Usual loco was a class 86 and well over 90% were on time or early, the smooth journey and especially leaving cars standing on the M1 was a highlight. Must have travelled the equivalent of half way to the moon behind a class 86! Keep up the good work Ruairidh

[@petersmith4455]

hi there, great memories of standing at liverpool st watching the Anglia Railways cl 86's and stratford stn. the colour scheme was striking,have spoken to Les Ross about his loco.

[@class87fan54]

Great video. Growing up in the early 2000's, I lived near Lea Hall station on the Rugby - Birmingham section of the West Coast Main Line, so I would see Virgin 86s regularly, working either the Euston - Birmingham- Wolverhampton expresses or cross-country workings from Birmingham International to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Thus the class holds a special place in my heart.

[@TheElDoctoro24]

Used to love seeing these double heading on container work as a kid on the WCML. A friends house I had at the time had a stunning panning shot at the bottom of his garden

[@rob5944]

Can't believe the steam crane being used in that Nuneaton crash.

[@nilo9456]

I noticed that also, wonder where it was based, wondering if it's in prervsation somewhere, one can only hope. 😑

[@xXExtremeGameXx]

Been waiting for you to do a film on the Class 86 and you didn’t disappoint! Fantastic work

[@25kv]

The other subclass was the 86/7 - two class 86/2s uprated to 110mph, that had a brief career (along with 86101 and 87002 in pre-LSL days) hauling broken-down Class 325 mail units! They are now in Bulgaria.

[@hammeredbassman88]

That distinctive wail with the taps fully open, I miss seeing and hearing these monsters on my local line

[@Powerflowertrainsandplanes]

Only had chance to flick through, will give it a proper view later, but great memories for me of this train and they have (despite some initial teething problems) been incredibly reliable and long lasting. So glad that there is an operational one for Railtour use.

[@Desiro360]

Superb informative video. Still remember the period of the Anglian Class 86 locos well. Saw them many times during my childhood. 😀

[@soundseeker63]

I used to live a stones throw from Norwich Crown Point depot, where the East Anglia fleet of 86/mk2 sets were based. The sound of 86s powering up and shutting down, shunting back/forth in/out of the depot, going back and forth through the coach washer with the Mk2 sets, was part of the soundtrack to my childhood. I remember it felt quite exciting to arrive at London Liv St. on those trains, with the loco singing away up front. The 90s were good too but somewhat clinical by comparison. But still better than the cheap, rough riding plastic units GA runs now. It's a very boring scene now that all loco haulage on the eastern region has gone. I miss these old workhorses, they were under-appreciated while they were around because their longevity and vesatility was absolutely first class. You don't fully realise until when you see old footage of them back in the '60s along side steam and the early diesels, and yet can still see them operating (on charters or abroad) today in 2024. The HST may be BRs most famous effort, but the 86s were definitely the unsung heroes of the network for several decades.

[@garthcox4307]

Great video. Just a couple of small points. The 86s shared wcml top link duties with the 87s up until the 1990s, there were only 36 class 87 after all. Ultimately I think it was the introduction of the class 90s that freed them up for use in anglia. Secondly the push pull equipment was already present before they moved to anglia, it was added so that they could work with Mark 3 DVTs on the wcml.

[@atomdent]

Whilst working in Ogden Utah, I went to the Rail museum because of this channel, couldn't pass it up.I knew Ruaihidh would recognize everything in the barn. Wish you could be here to clue me in!

[@jackmellor5536]

I remember Virgin XC 86s on Edinburgh and Glasgow to Brighton and Bournemouth service via the WCML. The loco would change to a 47 either at Preston if the train went via Manchester or Birmingham if it went more direct down the WCML.

[@richardmccarthy9580]

Really interesting….although the Colwich Jcn incident reminds me I was travelling from Stafford to Euston that weekend and only belatedly decided to travel on the Saturday morning rather than Friday evening and quite possibly on the southbound Liverpool train involved

[@johnkeepin7527]

Similar here. I sometimes used a Glasgow/Edinburgh to Bristol service in the early 1980s, that used an 86 from Glasgow, with the Edinburgh portion being added at Carstairs, then reversing at B New St with eater a 46 or 47 at the other end. Usually at least 12 cars on between Carstairs & Birmingham.

[@XDFRailRoadCooler]

There's a British Transport Film called 'The Third Sam' dealing with a guy that's come off steam & diesel engines, who ends messing around with 1 of these AC locomotive.

[@Trent-Bakerloo]

The class 86 will always be indeed an icon of the west coast mainline! ❤

[@stephensmith4480]

I have Rode up front many times on double headed 86/6s on Freightliner work, they were a huge improvement on the 85s which used to throw you all over the cab, the seats and suspension were as about as uncomfortable as you could imagine. Great video 👍👍

[@lenasmith5535]

*6s prior to fitment of the flexicoil suspension were almost as bad as the Class 81 & 85s the same applied to the Class 86/3s which were fitted just with with resiillient wheels until later being fitted with flixicoil suspension.

[@davidparry1968]

Excellent video. You tend to forget over time what versatile workhorses the 86’s were. The one the always stood out for me was 86235 marking the Rainhill Trials (If I remember correctly). I remember getting a touch giddy as a kid when it was diagrammed on a Liverpool to Euston service.

[@GreatEasternMainlineSpots]

This is one I was looking forward too! I remember the 86s on intermodals a few years back

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Stop what you’re doing Ruairidh has a new video out 🤩🤩🤩 another brilliant piece mate

[@azuma892]

Who knows Hylton is a Ruairidh fanboy? 😆

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@azuma892 love him 😂😂😂 howdy Azuma

[@tl.rogers]

Top quality video as always. Always very well structured, well narrated with some nice footage in the background.

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Hungary mentioned, love it not going to lie the 86s are basically the British equivalent of our 431 class xd

[@flippop101]

Quality KZbin! Superb video, thank you!

[@fredburley9512]

Solid BR engineering. First trip to London behind one of these trains. 👍

[@1Three8Fiver]

Timely, just seen Mons Meg this morning.

[@grahamariss2111]

Growing up in Coventry in the 70s and early 80s this was what trains were to me, probably why I could never get my head into Thomas the Tank engine.

[@itsthatsebguy93]

I love the gentle hum these locos make.

[@IOSALive]

Ruairidh MacVeigh, nice content bro

[@roberthuron9160]

Two items,1]There were Class 86 derivatives on the PKP(Polish Railways),complete with three window cabs! 2]The US equivalent were the PRR GG-1's,as there were only 139 total,and used in freight and passenger work! They were put to pasture,because of the voltage change on the NE Corridor,and the de-electrification of the freight bypasses by Conrail! Thankfully,a few are preserved! Thank you 😇 😊!

[@drstevenrey]

As a Swiss dude, it amuses me that the films of the 'electrification' in Britain is in colour. We don't have that. All we have are grainy black and white over speed hand cranked films of those days. Filming in 1910 was a bit of a faff. On another note, we always use and have used two panto-graphs for one simple and good reason. We use our locos in both directions. Therefore we have two, besides pulling them causes jumps and pushing them causes excessive wear on the wires.

[@adammoss5284]

Class 76 locos used two pantographs on the woodhead route. APT was also going to use two pantographs. You must have had good line regulation in Switzerland then or maybe the motor loads were lighter.

[@anthonystevens8683]

I had all but forgotten the sound of the 86 readying for pulling away with what sounds like fans kicking in. For a moment I was cast back to the late 70's.

[@michaeloreilly657]

Nice to see so much of your own work included in your video.

[@micknotfromleitrim]

Brilliant as always, thanks a million and keep it coming.

[@IndaloMan]

Back in 78 I was a Glasgow - Leeds weekend commuter. Randomly on the Sunday night return they would change out the 47 for an electric power car at Carlisle. Never worked out what the logic was on whether we got an engine change.....

[@colwichjunction3366]

Great content as per usual, living next to the WCML 86s were a standard for years, loved seeing the double headers on FL intermodels. Lucky enough to see “Les Ross” pass by quite often these days⚡️ There’s a lovely memorial garden alongside the tracks Colwich Junction….. Cheers John b😎

[@jazzygeofferz]

I'm reasonably sure they have, or at least had, a class 86 at Longsight Depot. I used to see it sometimes when I'd go out for a wander during lockdown.

[@Midtable1881]

Great video, bought back a lot of memories.

[@scofab]

Fascinating as always, thanks again.

[@justinobrien3593]

it's weird why they're class 85's in Bulgaria but at least they're still in use as it's a pitty they aint still in use in the uk! good video 🥰😊

[@daystatesniper01]

Cracking video with some good photo's from the past

[@LadySophieofHougunManor7325]

Fantastic video and and awesome as always love ❤️ your knowledge and passion for history you should be made a MBE for your services to history

[@Pmjs]

ScotRail had the 86s,87s&90s on the Caledonian sleepers when I worked them.

[@Del-bm]

Very informative, thanks for the education

[@chompette_]

Small thing, Hammer Blow is specifically the effects that wheel counterweights (used to balance pistons and connecting rods) have on track when travelling downwards in their rotation, so isn't what the Class 86's track damage issue was.

[@nilo9456]

Thank you for answering one of my questions: Do you cover electric traction. I would have liked a more detailed explanation of how power got from the overhead wires to the wheels, guess I'll do a web search and see what I can find.

[@michalg777]

3:00 I am curious what made the British conditions so differrent that they decided to abandon installation of the 2nd pantograph, unlike most of continental Europe? Was the British OCL system design so succesful they never encountered a pantograph damage?

[@chefchaudard3580]

BB 15000 in France had a single pantograph. And many other multi systems locomotives had a single pantograph per voltage. 25kV current draw is lower than on DC systems. The pantograph is lighter, with a smaller plate and a lower pressure. This reduces the risk of damages.

[@brianfearn4246]

Great video, Now i know whats below that box thing on the roof of the 86 , it looks like some kind of transformer that runs from the roof down to the chassis. I could be wrong 😊

[@fatwalletboy2]

Driver Goode was driving the southbound express at Colwich. Also the northbound 86 The Times was numbered 86 429.

[@Mr_Db_91]

Great video. However, I must point out that at 13:13 when you mentioned Watford Junction, it’s in Hertfordshire, not North London. Keep up the good work.

[@tow1709]

Yes, never refer to Watford as part of London!

[@davebowman6497]

"He expected the red light ahead of him would be cleared, but [...]". WHAT?!

[@david-stewart]

Great stuff watched it all

[@JonAschenbrenner]

Truly one of the UK's greats and one of only about a dozen good things the ill-planned Modernization & Re-Equipment Scheme British Railways concepted that not only worked but succeeded. Maybe the only thing that can rival the old Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1s electrical locomotives.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

The PRR's own DD1s can rival the GG1s, too!

[@davidblurton7158]

and that was really good,,, nice one ru,,,,

[@EM-yk1dw]

Excellent once again. Any chance of doing a programme about the Woodhead electrics please?

[@BorisLu]

Great video!

[@edbridges1164]

Slight error in such an excellent video Kind Sir the Locomotives involved in the Colwich Disaster were 86211 "City of Milton Keynes" and 86429 "The Times", 86249 was named "County of Merseyside" and she lasted until October 2003 and was scrapped at MoD Caerwent in October 2005! Sorry for the minor interruption sir

[@buddmetroliner200gaming3]

I've been on the class 86 before

[@canthandlethejhandel]

Great video as always! What's the clicking sound the loco is making in the last video as it's moving off? I've never heard that before.

[@officialmcdeath]

Excellent summary and good to hear the power-up sounds once more at the end. Minor adjustment: Colwich pronounced Kollich not koll wick \m/

[@gzk6nk]

It's actually pronounced Col-witch.

[@lenasmith5535]

The locals pronounce it as "Koll Wich" I have worked with people from that area.

[@squizza28]

Seems Great Eastern railway had hand-me-downs from WCML. Wonder how they felt about this at Liverpool Street!

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Strangely enough, the Class 82's were loved by drivers and fitters alike, so why they were put with the bad boys Class 83 and Class 84 is a question for the ages. Maybe, just maybe, problems with slightly too much ventilation and a reputation for swallowing gallons of distilled water for the auxiliary batteries might have counted against them, but otherwise they were great.

[@金罗-b3g]

Can you make a video about LNER and BR 1500V DC Eletric engine?Include EE1,EF1,ES1,EM1/class76（also include the prototype “tommy”）,EM2/class77.

[@owenchuarbx]

Would you do a history video for the Class 87 and 90?

[@edbrown1121]

Oh to have these back with a rake of Mk3s instead of the Pendolinos and Voyagers.

[@ewan8127]

These locos are much loved, a shame we sold so many to Romania and Hungary...

[@Trafficlightsfan]

my favourite trains

[@dxutube]

Think it's not a good idea to use 86501 on leap years.

[@zzhughesd]

Was that Crewe at the start

[@XDFRailRoadCooler]

I've got 2 drivers view on class 87

[@a11csc]

❤❤👍👍😊😊

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

The selection of the Class 86 is what should have happened with tge selection of the diesel locomotives. However, politics happened.

[@SigmundAnschutz-wi2fj]

3:46 There's nothing train drivers and ASLEF won't moan or strike about that can't be fixed with even more money.

[@RedArrow73]

Francis of Scotland?

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I remember the 86 and 87 but I don't think the 81 to 85 and obviously the more modern looking 90,91 and 92.The 81 to 87 look superficially similar.The 89 was visually completely out of sync with the 80's series and is the very modern 88.

[@Rom3_29]

Speed restriction? What’s the speed limit? Im not sure. It’s so confusing… Let’s just go full bore.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Those crashes were nothing to do with the Class 86 and everything to do with faulty operation. They would have happened whatever loco was in charge. A pointless inclusion.

[@jam5076]

I'm sorry you think so. The class 86s involved were unlucky but that is the whole point about accidents. A video about the class 86 would not be complete without some comment on accidents they were, unfortunately, involved in.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Clarification 1: the traction motors of the Class 81 to 85 were hung on the bogie frames and the change was due to attempt to save money. A test of lighter weight axle-mounted traction motors of diesel engines conducted on the ECML seemed to indicate that less traction damage would occur, but this was only because some of damage caused was dismissed as instrument errors. It wasn't, as the drivers of Class 86s would find out. Clarification 2: the Class 86/3 were also modified with SAB wheels but not the flexi-coil suspension system. But inthe early 1980s, before the electric-hauled expresses to, initially, Ipswich started in 1985, all the Class 86/0 and 86/3 were scheduled to end converted to Class 86/2 standard and classified as 86/4. This was done to increase the numbers of 100mph locomotives on the WCML.

[@Vortigan07]

What's happened to your voice-over delivery??

[@Dedubya-]

I wondered that, sounds like he's trying a new clipped voice or AI :D

[@richcolour]

Sorry I can't watch this, the computer voice is annoying and exhausting to listen to

[@Dedubya-]

It sounds like his voice but as if AI generated it.... it is wierd.

[@davidblurton7158]

like the ref to colwich but its col,,,, whitch,,,,,,, not cowik,,,

[@XDFRailRoadCooler]

I don't like the class 800's ugly Hitachi Azuma's. Unlike these locomotives. Their nice

[@fathernick9910]

Terrible voiceover with a ridiculous inflection

[@Hacienda_27]

The AI sounding drag out on the end of these sentences has ruined this channel 😢

[@voidjavelin23]

This is not even AI what are you on about??

[@Dedubya-]

@@voidjavelin23 Well it's not how he normally sounds, he's defininetly trying a new voice style, a much more clipped sound like a 1950's transport film

[@Hacienda_27]

@@voidjavelin23so you clearly don't watch his older videos or recognise his speech patterns, the drag on the end of words and flat monotone of voice compared too his older videos up too about 9 months ago, it is blatantly AI seeming and if its not Ai, and is his voice now, then it's just ruined in general by puberty or whatever 😂