Soon to be gone - Class 86s in 2019...

[@railfangig6699]

Out of the 17 different types of traction I trained, classes 86 and 87s were by far my favourites.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Fond memories of New Street - Euston as a youngster. Used to love the hum of them at the Euston buffer-stops. Lovely sounds - and lovely locos :-) Thanks for the memories.

[@johnhancock5793]

Hi all. These locos went into service before I started visiting Crewe on saturday afternoons. My father took myself and Jim Gilmour for fantastic Saturday afternoons on what was then platform 5 . The 86’s and all the other 8n’s were v busy swapping for class 40’s or 47’s . They have been in service now for over 50 years and we all have to come to terms with the simple facts that the people who maintain them are , like me, retiring. Those skills are difficult to replace and we should applaud the guys who have kept them running for so many years.

[@kennydee8296]

John Hancock - was servicing the 86’s particularly difficult and needing highly skilled technicians or would you consider them low maintenance? 🤔

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@kennydee8296 they were riddled with faults

[@soundseeker63]

@@kennydee8296 I think its more an issue of parts availability and maintaining the body/chassis/bogies etc. than skill/tools issues. An 86 is about 1/4 as complicated to maintain as a class 92, but the equipment in them is so old now getting replacement parts made for them is probably a lot harder than its sounds. They are in real terms classic locomotives still in every day use so maintaining them will be something like maintaining a classic car, on a much, much larger scale of course.

[@soundseeker63]

@@bonkeydollocks1879 No they are not, they wouldn't have made it to 55 years in daily service if that was the case!!

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@soundseeker63 , just because they are still in service doesn't automatically mean it is not a flawed design. Lots of problems with cooling fans, traction motors, leaks, rot etc etc, the early units had to have significant bogie/suspension redesigns because they were damaging track. Once sorted they proved to be a good workhorse but we're mainly put into freight work and restricted to 75mph as intercity 100mph work became uncomfortable due to poor ride quality. As you say once sorted they have been around a proved there worth

[@davidellis279]

I will never forget going to London to the Motor Show years ago when these Locos were a lot newer and I was very impressed by the sheer power of them, the acceleration of these engines was nothing short of Unberlievable.

[@Mrmegaminergames]

find it funny, we are restoring some of our 86 class locos (same name, different loco) for heritage operations and track work here in Sydney Australia

[@brendankershaw2808]

I always enjoy having a pair of these at work. Despite the age ...Still a bloody fantastic engine to drive!

[@marchemsley1210]

When working on the platforms dispatching it is always nice to see these pass through or wait for a signal at platform at WFJ, those unmistakable 3 lights approaching platform.

[@drawingboard82]

That first clip is stunning. Thanks so much. Really makes you appreciate the designers, because machines that good looking and durable just are not built any more.

[@rodneycooperLMSCoach]

The design of those first generation AC electric Locos was so superior to todays machines. Just look at that first clip!!

[@DreXX02]

That train makes nosy ;-;

[@wharris302]

They literally don't

[@mirvids5036]

That's because they were designed and planned with a specific job and routes in mind.

[@TheR.I.D]

@@mirvids5036 yes unlike most of the newer locos that are made on a larger scale and are not built for specific routes like the 66 for example

[@soundseeker63]

86259 on that maroon mk1 rake is a spendid sight! I booked to go on of those trips last year but was really pissed when it got cancelled at short notice! :-( What faithful old workhorses they are. Their strength is in their simplicity. Really cant see many of the current designs (most of which look like a dogs dinner) lasting half as long as these have! And lest no forget those examples (and the 87s) that are still at work abroad! I will be sad when they are gone, though I'm sure a few will live on in preservation.

[@robertmiller6255]

The future of 86401 has been decided with its acquisition by west coast railway company at carnforth

[@swearingkevo]

Robert Miller - for gods sake don’t paint it purple

[@class8866]

Even in Germany older electrics are used up today now, even by private companies. They are over 50 years in service now.The reason is very clear: enough spareparts und cheaper costs to buy one. It makes only sence, if the newer engines are able to produce energy,when breaking.That will reduce the cost for operation !

[@angeltransportpjects]

The first clip looks like Blisworth / Tiffield way near Northampton. Class 86s are king and have proven this by outliving 98% of the Class 87 fleet in the UK and many of the Class 90s stored defunkted at CE. However can someone confirm ... One Class 86 had it's heasdcode boxes removed completely so it was flush-fronted but the headlights remained in the trad configuration. It carried the former 'Freightliner' livery when I noticed this - 86426 was it please? Also out of 86101 to 103 only 101 still exists but is in mainline service with SERCO? THANKS IN ADVANCE! :o)

[@swearingkevo]

Fly Drive 2020 - the 1st clip is madeley , staffs

[@patmoore1875]

Scary as hell to ride on before they sorted out the springing, but wonderful to go past the Watford Gap in the Down direction with the ‘Needle’ on the stop before Kilsby (no Logging in those days), on more than one occasion with the 14.00 from Euston, a wonderful ‘eye-opener’ to a non-driver !

[@restojon1]

These were a mainstay of spotting in my younger years at Ilford Depot in the 80's. These, 37's and Duffs in fact.

[@antman09ful1]

Great video Kevin I will be uploaded my class 86 collection soon. Regards Mike.

[@nigelmitchell351]

A great unsung British designed and built locomotive.

[@sotabaka]

romanian???

[@sotabaka]

actually Bulgaria & Hungary ... my bad

[@nigelmitchell351]

@Sota Baka Hi Sota, RE opening shots, these 25kv class 86 locos were built by English Electric at Newton le willows or by British Railways at Doncaster during 1965/66. I remember them being introduced in the livery shown in the first clips as I live within view of the London & Birmingham railway. I'm sure they will give many more years of reliable service in Eastern Europe. ✌

[@paulcaswell2813]

I always chuckled to myself that electric locos were made at Doncaster - decades before the line was electrified LOL!

[@andrewholloway231]

Let us look at the positives, over 50 years of service! Great video.

[@bobmather8814]

Thanks for uploading a great sequence of a great loco. The opening shot summed it all up. Many memories of 86/87s belting through Acton Bridge.

[@FromClaphamJunction]

Amazing shots caught at speed....and also some awesome ones up close and personal............. a great tribute to the Class 86s

[@ttvvideos2050]

these will be greatly missed...

[@cyborgbadger1015]

the 86's are proof if any of the superiority of electric traction over any other imo. Over 50 yrs old and still running.

[@CZ350tuner]

You forget that some steam locomotive that are still running, have served for far more than 50 years. Also some diesel locomotives are older than these AL's.

[@cyborgbadger1015]

@@CZ350tuner ok but bear in mind the steam locos would have been rebuilt several times, also they are not in mainline service. The diesels may run the electrics close, but the point is that electrics run far longer overall without major rebuilds as electric traction motors are inherently more reliable, due mainly to less moving parts

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

Very true! And excellent British Design & Building. I used to commute with them on "The Master Cobler" Euston to Northampton in the 70s. Amazing.

[@tommcglone2867]

@@CZ350tuner well the A1X Terriers are around 130 years old now. And theres around 10 of them still around including the legend that is Stepney

[@cyborgbadger1015]

@@tommcglone2867 but they're not in mainline service, and how many rebuilds have they had? A steam loco was designed for 20 yrs tops, even then, they needed far more maintenance.

[@keynsham-trains]

Good video Kev . I only managed to see 2 86s both at Stafford during 2019 .

[@hornet1068]

I think that Freightliner themselves should preserve at least a pair of these classic locomotives. They have been on the go for years and can still outperform newer classes and Bi-Modes. Plus they just look good at the head of any train particularly on containers.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

Why don't you preserve one if you want. Freightliner is a business. No reason they should waste shareholders money on loss making sidelines.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Shareholders, shareholders, shareholders. If one puts money in a public service, one should serve the public, NOT asset strip. The 86s have plenty of shelf-life left in them - indeed, I've never seen Sheds etc shift heavy goods with the panache of the '86s...

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@paulcaswell2813 Freightliner is owned by an American company. Like it or not there's no reason for them to get into preservation. It's a loss making venture outside their core business. And if it were for example nationalised, there's no reason for the UK Gov to waste tax payers money preserving locos from a class of which three are preserved already in any case. You are living in cloud cuckoo land. Why don't you jump out of cloud cuckoo land and do something positive and preserve one yourself. If indeed you think it is worth saving yet another for a loss making project.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Further than expletives about US business practice, I have nothing further to add.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@paulcaswell2813 An attitude which will get you nowhere in terms of preservation or changing the status quo. You're simply moaning, saying this or that should happen, but not contributing to how or why it can be practically achieved.

[@GenericGeeza]

We have one through lichfield trent valley occasionally, I hope that service continues

[@robertmiller6255]

86259 will still be very much with us as will 86101 working in 2020 on special trains

[@ianbillericay]

I used to love riding in them at speed, view from cab is the best

[@TheRailEnthusiast]

86259 is beautiful lovely part of British rail history realy want to spot it. Great video👍

[@pab47able]

Fantastic, thanks for filming and showing.

[@andrewbailey7999]

I believe that first one will likely be around for a while. I think it's the one that takes passengers to the Cumbrian Mountain Express

[@gregster295]

Nice one Kev. The screams of there are something else!

[@philclarke3203]

Great video Kevin, of a great class of electric loco!!

[@JamesPetts]

Are these being replaced by class 90s displaced from East Anglia passenger services?

[@toastie7275]

Yep Freightliner are taking on 13 GA Class 90s and they currently have 14 Class 86s so it seems that they'll be a pretty much 1:1 replacement.

[@johnhealy8513]

Class 86 locomotives do not just look the business and do a great job but they are attractive too.

[@soundseeker63]

They are when in the right livery! FL powerhaul manages to look tacky on just about everything that wears it. Electric blue on the other hand.... ahhh :-)

[@stephensmith4480]

@@soundseeker63 I remember working with these fine locos along with class 85`s all in BR blue. Takes me back a bit!!

[@danw1374]

They were real workhorses.

[@felixthecleaner8843]

Awesome locomotives!

[@benters3509]

Are these the locos that used to pull the London to Glasgow West coast trains I rode on in the eighties? They were extremely powerful for their day, I heard the most powerful on the network. Looking on Wikepedia, I am probably thinking about the Class 87's!

[@thisnicklldo]

Certainly I was pulled by these from Birmingham to London regularly in the 70's - breakfast in first class for a second class ticket, journey time 89 minutes on the fast train and 92 minutes on the slow ones. Not sure why this route has got so much slower, I guess 1977 really was the age of the train.

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

Very very good. Well done. This Class will indeed be sorely missed.

[@TheRandomRailfan]

Which 86s are going? I'm assuming that 86259 will stay around due to it being used on charter trains so that leaves us with the Freightliner fleet.

[@Class43Harrison]

Will the Class 86, Les Ross stay for Railtours?

[@garethrandall6589]

Just about the most environmentally friendly way of moving freight - electric locomotives moving shipping containers on railways. I hope that whatever replaces them is at least as good.

[@toastie7275]

Freightliner will be replaceing these with 13 ex GA Class 90s, so I'd say as good.

[@CZ350tuner]

I have a late 1960's Triang-Hornby AL2 (Class 86/1, I do believe under TOPS) on my layout with fully functioning pantograph. It's mesmerising to watch it move up and down under the catenary, sparking away.

[@roberthill6216]

AL-2 became Class 82 under tops. The Class 86 was AL-6.

[@spiccybaby]

The first production class, after the 81-85 prototypes, for the WCML. Sad to see them go.

[@Jprincemassey]

Could it be updated with newer electric or is it desile?

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

Well, I at least got to see one in action before they went.

[@calldfwp2230]

by "going" do they mean that freightliner are retiring them or that they are all being scrapped?

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

@@calldfwp2230 I think freightliner at least are retiring them but I'm not fully sure of the situation.

[@rmlectronicsuk2410]

The overhead Tunnel effect looks like a bad dream!

[@josephinebennington7247]

This must be some of the fastest freight on British track. Where?

[@siddywiddyb]

How Beautiful does Peter Pan look. I sometimes see her stabled in Rugby.

[@tonderen1615]

Which class ist most likely to succeed the class 86?

[@EastSussexTrainSpotter]

When are the 86s going!

[@7APT7]

Hi Kev, yet another great blog. Why they stopping the Class 86’s, it’s not like they don’t meet the emissions targets as there would be seen as clean running anyway wouldn’t they!?! it’s not like they have a new replacement for them either or is it because there are more Diesel loco available like the class 66/70’d, sad to see them go, there’s only the Freightliner and Les Ross running that i can think of, off the top of my head... oh but then thinking about it, the new Class 88’s i’m guessing, are there other new classes of electrics just out any time soon, or is it just the class 88’s....!?! Good tribute anyway. 👍 Thumbs Up 👍

[@swearingkevo]

Jamie Smith thx. I don’t know when they are going but I heard it’s in the next couple of years

[@PixelTheIrrelevant]

What station was that at 0:47

[@swearingkevo]

Comedic Gamers - Acton Bridge

[@PixelTheIrrelevant]

swearingkevo thank you

[@petersmith4455]

will be sorry to see to see them go,.when Anglia railways got rid of them that was the start. i used to love watching them at liverpool st station,now is the time to to act

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

Nasty dip in the left hand tracks 1:50

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

They aren't going for long, but will.go into warm storage pending life extension,and future traffic growth.

[@michaelsandford1015]

that class 70 shot was cool

[@Gregg-eo2le]

They're pretty nippy too!!

[@JackTheOfficeWorker]

My Most Favorite Class 86 Train

[@michaelcollett1175]

I GROW UP ENJOY MY TRAIN JOURNEYS MAINLY TO LONDON EUSTON , IT SAME GEC OF UK DONT BUILT ANY TRAINS ,I REMEMBER MOST ELECTRIC TRAINS WAS BUILT BY COMPANY ALSO BUILT FOR LONDON TRANSPORT

[@Thomas.harding]

Where are they going? Are they getting scrapped?

[@microbusss]

I hope some will be preserved

[@CasperTrains]

Great video

[@CitySlicker19]

Great video - thanks for uploading. Can I ask what camera you are using?

[@swearingkevo]

R Vaughan - Panasonic HC-VXF1

[@Tsass0]

What is to replace the 86's?

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi mate great video on the class 86 ELEC locos it Bing back so Manley memoirs of the class86 and class87 in the 1980s on the west coast main line the class 86 are my favourite ELEC locos of all the elec locos I remember them in the 1960s in elec blue livery with class81/85s locos my favourite diesel elec locos is the deer old class 47 loco and class 50s I 'remember the class47/4 locos on the stranraer line to carlisle on the stranraer to london euston boat trains in the 1980s happy days for me I also model the west coast main line in and aground lancaster and heysham harbour and stranraer harbour in southwest Scotland with BR sealink carferry duke of lancaster at heysham and the Galloway princess at stranraer harhour I do have class47/37/25/26/27/40/20/56/60s diesel and class81/82/85/86/87/90s ELEC locos on my layout i will take to you soon clive

[@trainmania100]

Think I've only filmed 4 of them moving

[@Faulty720]

Soon to be gone? Why's that? They are still I regular use on the GEML. And they're in use with Caledonian sleeper on ECS moves with an 87. They have plenty of Life in them yet

[@roberthill6216]

Not anymore on the Caledonian sleeper, they are incompatible with the C.A.F. mk 5 carriages. 86101 and the 87 have since been sold to Locomotive Services at Crewe. As mentioned else where, the ex-Anglian class 90's will be replacing them when they come off lease.

[@funnyyellowdog7325]

Some of these are going to be converted into class 85s, and sent overseas aren't they?

[@09weenic]

funny yellow dog 🤔😆

[@bfapple]

Class 85 is a completely different type...

[@roberthill6216]

@@bfapple and the only one left is at Barrow Hill.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I believe it’s the class 88s that are taking over the 86s place Kev

[@Georgeasaurus2001]

Nope class 90s from Anglia

[@MrJohn1966elliott]

I thought it was switch from diesel to new Electric.

[@dont_give_a_flying_f]

From a time now long gone. Such a pity it's easier to buy someone else's locomotive than make ourselves.

[@stephenhunter70]

I see what their problem is, they need two for every train. A bigger more powerful electric is required. Maybe they should've brought QR's old 39 class locos.

[@Martindyna]

Nice video but would like there to have been some footage of the class accelerating away from a stand to hear their traction motor whine and those blowers. Modern locos sound so boring, even the Class 91 which is getting on and still has DC motors.

[@dylantalbot620]

where do 86s base at on West Coast Mainline .

[@09weenic]

Dylan Talbot Crewe Freightliner depot

[@roberthill6216]

@@09weenic at Basford Hall, on the west side of the running line about a mile or so south of the station.

[@jackstephens7562]

Where will the 86s go

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Most for scrap, but some will survive into preservation and main line use with WCRC and us at LSL.

[@dan27032]

What are they being replaced by and when? It’s sad to see a pinnacle of British electric traction be retired and perhaps a worse fate in some cases :(

[@09weenic]

dan2732 I think class 88 or class 90

[@soundseeker63]

@@09weenic The 88s are so damn ugly and will not last as long as the 86s by any means. People need to give the locos more recognition. They have achieved more than most other classes in their lifetimes.

[@Funclive]

dan2732 anglia’s class 90s when they come off lease

[@federico339]

Meanwhile here in italy we are in the process of scrapping loco 10 years younger than the 86s...

[@skiesofireland3429]

Here in Ireland we got rid of trains after 20 years of service with 20 more in their service life to be replaced by plastic Railcars 🤦‍♂️

[@stevenfoleyuk9404]

Why don’t they just build some more and get another 50 years use out of them ?

[@SprattyHeath]

The technology and design of this loco is over 5 decades old, retaining spare parts for it would be very difficult and too expensive to do that. Most trains have a general lifespan of around 40 years before they are considered out-of-date for regular mainline use. There are numerous of these that have been preserved so hopefully we will see some special railtours being hauled by them in the future

[@stevenfoleyuk9404]

TopGearDog they could upgrade them and continue the production of the locos and parts . It’s not difficult . Not much point in us spending billions on new trains if they are not much better that the old ones . Ticket prices will continue to keep on going up . For what ? Trains that are shiny and only travel 15 mph faster , new trains more uncomfortable and not really worth the money . It’s like paying BMW prices to buy a fiesta

[@SprattyHeath]

Whilst I 100% agree with you, this is how the UK works. It's an utter joke and it's why I hate the current rail infrastructure

[@stevenfoley8245]

TopGearDog think most people would agree with you . This is what happens when men in suits are put in charge .

[@imjusthereeatingpopcorn5234]

Ever watched the running to time documentary on here? Its about the class 91s being built. I think they are seriously underused locos too considering the engineering advances made since the class 87s were built.

[@LongStripeyScarf]

Soon to be gone from freightliner, but what about other operators? Someone may yet snatch them up.

[@swtrains1499]

Nice, when exactly are they going? Saw 4 of them yesterday.

[@mirvids5036]

Where is that overgrown station ? Letting all that vegetation grow looks a mess and will cause massive damage to the platform area far more expensive than killing the plants.

[@swearingkevo]

MirVids - I think what you are on about is Crewe , the locos were being moved into the lsl depot for the open day. It’s not used by the public

[@TalkeTalker]

Yes, that's definitely Crewe Station - the unused part. Rail House in the background.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Fantastic as always 👍🏻 Do you know when there finishing? Are class 90s from east Angila 🤔The eletric blue 86 is how I remember them especially on the Manchester Pullman 😊 Looking forward to seeing more of your fantastic videos in 2020 cheers Stevie

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Hope les Ross keeps his

[@robertmiller6255]

yes 86259 will still be working special trains and is not affected by the forthcoming withdrawal of Freightliners class 86/6s

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@robertmiller6255 👍

[@westmidlandsrailenthusiast]

Why will they be replaced? Theyve got plenty of life left in them. What will be replacing them?

[@mirvids5036]

Foreign built replacements no doubt. All that money and work going to somewhere else. Disgraceful.

[@westmidlandsrailenthusiast]

Its a shame, like said theyve still got plenty of life left in them, still powerful locomotives, freightliner will probably order class 88s I'm guessing it just use the class 90s theyll inherit back from greater Anglia

[@KevBygrave]

It seems crazy that we are told that electric is the future and to be more green and `go electric` yet they are getting rid of these electric locomotives????

[@westmidlandsrailenthusiast]

They should keep the 86s, 91s and other electrics, it's just common sense, all of them having plenty of years left in them

[@davidbeckett3345]

@@westmidlandsrailenthusiast Guess they are not the face of the modern railway , ( face not fitting ) , it,s got to be slick and sleek with flashy paintwork , agree , it,s a waste

[@danspotter8618]

I don't like it when iconic locomotives such as the 86 go from the WCML

[@davidbeckett3345]

That,s how i felt when the Semis went in 63 , nothing realy changes

[@danspotter8618]

@@davidbeckett3345 semi what are those

[@davidbeckett3345]

@@danspotter8618 Coronation steam pacifics , Mr Stanier,s finest , they went , class 40 , s took over , lekies took over them with double headed 50,s , then the boring units , nothing stays the same for long

[@johnhealy8513]

I do not like it either. Isn't it time we in Britain built an Inter City 325 and 425 as well as a class 86 MK 2.

[@danspotter8618]

@@johnhealy8513 yes I think so just upgrade old 86s and repaint them in Adventi livery also have the Intercity return with its 90s,82s, 47s and 125s on WCML duties

[@barclaylower]

Anglia 90s going to freightliner

[@bobbrooks266]

Great video. They might be old but I can never understand why you'd scrap perfectly good working engine's seems such a shame and a complete waste of money

[@Keithbarber]

They may be working ok, but they are probably expensive to operate and maintain And 55 years old their working life has been good going

[@鈴木隼人-h6s]

丈夫で長持ち！コンテナ牽引に適していて故障も少ないのでしょう！

[@swearingkevo]

Would Love to Know What This Says ? Anyone Translate Please .. Thx

[@davidbelton4692]

Glad we all like them..pity we'll never see electrics in Sheffield. HS2 (a London elite creation) should go and just electrify places like Sheff.

[@None-zc5vg]

I've travelled on the electrified line between Sheffield Victoria and Manchester that closed to passengers in 1970 and to freight a decade later. Any future electrification between Sheffield and London will be decades away, you can bet

[@andywhite40]

Definitely agree about the white elephant that is HS2.... the money this could cost should be invested in relaying lines ripped up by, but not exclusively, Beeching ( remember line closures continued long after Beeching) starting with the Great Central, plus extending the electrified network.......

[@None-zc5vg]

@@andywhite40 'HS2' is yet another Concorde-size scam that will go ahead regardless of its ballooning costs: it'll line a lot of pockets along the way.As for those long-gone lines far from the South, they'll never be rebuilt (the proposed "Varsity Line" is in the South). The short, much-lauded and expensive Ordsall Chord in Manchester needed a mile or so of city-centre track-widening and a new viaduct to accommodate the diverted traffic for which it was built, and even that relatively-modest affair is something that will probably take decades to get through all the planning- and funding hoops.

[@crabcke4876]

Wait WHAT NO YOUR JOKING RIGHT?

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

South London Trains Sadly no

[@paulconner115]

Disgusting waste. They obviously don’t conform to stupid modern standards now. They are made of steel instead of modern plastic and alloys. They have mostly old style pantographs and not all modern. They have electro mechanical and tap changer traction control but not super modern electronics. They have old style brushed DC traction motors and not these modern polyphase crap things that sound like high pitched mosquitos . They have to be driven by skilled drivers that don’t have everything they do interfered with by computers like on modern crap. They need proper maintenance instead of plug in computer diagnostics like modern crap. They were built to last and I’m my opinion could go for another 30 years. I think they change for changes sake so it can all look flash and modern but modern will not last the test of time like the 86 I really hate modern technology

[@bridgerectifier7711]

Paul Conner - I agree with your sentiments entirely. I used to drive the 86's from 1997 to 2001, when I worked for "Anglia" and they are still the best loco's that I've driven. Sure the modern stuff is easy, especially compared to when we got the class 170, you had power & brake with using just your left hand. Whenever I had the chance to drive an 86, or even had the choice between a 47 or an 86, I always chose the 86. It is a "hands-on" loco, using both hands and both feet to operate, but was much more versatile with finer control than any other modern equivalent. Before I left, I got to drive 66 & 67, but they were computer controlled beasts and couldn't touch the 86 especially slow depot work & shunting.

[@christineallen7170]

Notching up or running up never boring....keep in the yellow and never the red....that's how I was thought to rrive sc locos Must of got something right still buzzing the network after all this time

[@bridgerectifier7711]

@@christineallen7170 - Remember this one: "Stick to the line speed, not a mile above, not a mile below and you'll always be on time".

[@christineallen7170]

@@bridgerectifier7711 stop at red .... go at green....moan all the way between! All this side of signal is ours one inch the other side of red is signalers.! The train drivers mantra! I've got 45 shifts to do between now and retirement...then I get my just desserts...

[@paulconner115]

Bridge Rectifier brilliant, I remember the 86 / 87 Anglia hauled stock. I used to have a delivery job around Chelmsford and local areas to the railway line and remember them well especially at speed between Chelmsford and Ingatestone - the noise they made.