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Unknown 86

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E_Reeves

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I've just seen 37 884(euro phoenix) pass Attleborough Jn. hauling 3 class 86s (ETL, Colas Rail and Intercity Swallow). I looked in my loco book as soon as I got home, but could not find a class 86 with an Intercity Swallow livery. Looked on google images as well, and there are no modern images of a class 86 in that livery.
Please can somebody help, thanks:D
 
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cj_1985

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Reported elsewhere that ACLG have sold 86213 to Bulmarket (Bulgaria)

As for the other two... ?
 
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87015

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Reported elsewhere that ACLG have sold 86213 to Bulmarket (Bulgaria)

As for the other two... ?

All for Bulmarket as I understand. As if avoiding CFR 40s and EAs wasn't bad enough that's more junk to get in the way of photos over there :(
 
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50039

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I saw them through Tring - on their way to Leicester - no idea why!

Confirmed elsewhere - sold to Bulgaria, off to Leicester for prep
 
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61653 HTAFC

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It'll be odd seeing photos of a Swallow 86 working in Bulgaria, assuming it'll keep the livery for a while if it's only just been painted recently.
 

Alistair G.

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Just for confirmation, the 3 86's you saw being dragged were 86701, 86213 & 86702

Was gonna go Narborough station for a picture but then it started to blooming snow!!!, so I guess I will have to wait and see the pictures on Flickr!.

Anyone know there next move off Leicester and when?!
 

90019

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So while we are electrifying the GWML and MML amongst others we are selling off perfectly good electric locos - you couldn't make it up!

Locos to be used for what, exactly?
It's all very well having lots of electric locos sitting around, but somewhat pointless with nothing for them to do.
 

leomartin125

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Locos to be used for what, exactly?
It's all very well having lots of electric locos sitting around, but somewhat pointless with nothing for them to do.

Right to clear up any confusion, these 86's were being dragged to leicester in preperation for shipping to Bulgaria to be put into service there. That's where they are heading and why.

In this video is the Intercity Class 86 sat at Willesden. It was this one that was being dragged today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMneDBg6Xgc
 
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90019

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Right to clear up any confusion, these 86's were being dragged to leicester in preperation for shipping to Bulgaria to be put into service there. That's where they are heading and why.

My post was a response to the person complaining that we're selling locos and not using them here instead.
 

Ash Bridge

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It'll be odd seeing photos of a Swallow 86 working in Bulgaria, assuming it'll keep the livery for a while if it's only just been painted recently.

If 87004 is anything to go by, that still retains its authentic rail blue livery with double arrows symbols after several years service in Bulgaria, so hopefully the same will apply for the 86.
 

D365

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Proceeds from the sale of 86213 will be put towards the restoration of ACLG's preserved fleet, so in theory it should lead to an increase in the number of operational electric locomotives... :D
 

XCTurbostar

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Let's hope so. That 89 deserves to be on the mainline!
Thanks,
Ross
 

richieb1971

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I can't believe for a second that when the MML/GWML and East west connecting routes are complete that the need to have more AC traction (especially for freight) won't be required.

The issue here is that we don't need it now. The sale of these 86's probably could have been avoided if electrification picked up a bit more pace..probably.

edit - Just seen 87004 is named Britannia. lol.
 
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47513 Severn

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So while we are electrifying the GWML and MML amongst others we are selling off perfectly good electric locos - you couldn't make it up!

Keep in mind that the class 86 is now at least fifty years old. We already have a surplus of younger (class 90 and 92) electric locomotives and the new class 88 will be with us soon.

The fact that these locos are able to be exported and bring money into the country at this stage of their lives seems pretty impressive to me. It must surely far exceed the original expectations.

47513
 

richieb1971

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Only DRS are getting 88's aren't they?

Yes, the life span is pretty impressive for the 86's.
 

captainbigun

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This old chestnut of age is a misnomer. There's nothing in an electric loco that cannot be overhauled or replaced. There are 100s if not 1000s of electric locos with similar technology running around in Europe.

88 is a luxury that most cannot afford, exactly what their purpose is remains a mystery.
 

Domh245

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88 is a luxury that most cannot afford, exactly what their purpose is remains a mystery.

The ability to operate services completely from end to end. Most Railfreight terminals are not electrified, and so need to have a Diesel Locomotive on hand to shunt the wagons around before dragging them back under the wires for an electric to then take care of. The 88s with the 'last-mile' engine will reduce the need for this shunter loco as they will be able to do it themselves. The 86s, 90s, and 92s, will all still need Diesel locomotives at some point during their journey, be it at the beginning or end (or both!)
 

Philip Phlopp

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The ability to operate services completely from end to end. Most Railfreight terminals are not electrified, and so need to have a Diesel Locomotive on hand to shunt the wagons around before dragging them back under the wires for an electric to then take care of. The 88s with the 'last-mile' engine will reduce the need for this shunter loco as they will be able to do it themselves. The 86s, 90s, and 92s, will all still need Diesel locomotives at some point during their journey, be it at the beginning or end (or both!)

The point being made is that a Class 88 is so monumentally expensive, it's going to be cheaper to keep a Class 08 or even Class 20 at a yard for shunting, and not trying to do it all with one over engineered single locomotive.
 

captainbigun

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And you need some trains in your portfolio that actually require this. The point was not specific to the fact that they have last mile.
 

D365

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And you need some trains in your portfolio that actually require this. The point was not specific to the fact that they have last mile.

DRS (as far as I'm aware) are currently hiring Class 92s from DBS.
 

randyrippley

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So while we are electrifying the GWML and MML amongst others we are selling off perfectly good electric locos - you couldn't make it up!

"Perfectly good?"
Rubbish - these are 40+ years old machines with out of date life expired electrical equipment. Spares availability must be "interesting" to say the least
 

captainbigun

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"Perfectly good?"
Rubbish - these are 40+ years old machines with out of date life expired electrical equipment. Spares availability must be "interesting" to say the least

See above. FL must be clueless.....

Spares aren't a problem. You remove a component, send it away, it comes back as new.
 
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