Except for cl67 when they have to divert around engineering works on wcml - also how does a train refuse?
I didn't say literally did I lol
But what I mean is there has been hardly any occasions when the sleeper in recent years has been hauled under the wires by anything but a class 90 (In a normal everyday situation).
But to generally add more to the Thread.................
The major point which has been found in recent years is the cost effectiveness of electric traction.
Surprisingly the class 86 was BR's best Investment and has been gracing this countries railways for 50 years and some examples still have contracts for the next five years,really I would definatly bet on the class actually having revenue earning runners on their 60th Birthday.
But the interestingly surprising fact about all electrics is they have a much longer life span than any diesel loco as electrical equipment is very easy to overhaul and single parts can just be re-used after a good going over.
Take for example these electric facts.
EM2 Electra in the MRC is actually still a runner despite her indeed quite old age and this is cause the overhaul is a damn sight easier.
Sarah Siddons (is currently the worlds oldest running electric locomotive) and is still in very perfect condition and would be doing tours on the mainline network if the LTM didn't think the addition of OTMR to her isn't worth the deviation from her near works condition.
Obviously I am not saying the locos don't have faults as there are various problems with electrics such as overheating,overloading equipment,Traction motors exploding,and lest not us forget mercury-arc rectifiers.
But overall I feel I am starting to come up with a few too many pro's rather than con's.............