The British Rail Class 87s were built between 1973 and 1975 by British Rail Engineering Ltd Crewe. Designed as mixed traffic locomotives, the main purpose was to accelerate the trains on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) north of Crewe to Glasgow, replacing the British Rail Class 50s.

Thirty-Six locomotives in total were built. The final one becoming experimental thyristor locomotive 87101 STEPHENSON, and later a push-pull test locomotive.

After thirty years dominating the WCML passenger scene, in 2003 the run-down of the fleet commenced. On the 10th June 2005, the rundown was complete and there are now no more scheduled services booked to be hauled by the "Electric Scots".

Latest News: Sun 30th Dec 2007   That's That Then. Thanks for the memories.



87022 speeds towards Cleghorn Level Crossing, Lanarkshire on 20th December 2007


After 34 years on the WCML, the whining sound of the GEC412 motors from a class 87 will no longer be heard. Like many classes before them, their operations consigned to the history books. For me, this is an end of an era, and I know many others for which the same holds true. Thank you all for the memories.

So, what will become of www.eightseven.net? I've still do decide. Thanks for visiting.