Class 71 Profile

British Railways Electric Locomotive

Introduced in February 1959, this fleet of 24 electrics were ordered under the British Railways 1955 Modernisation Plan for the Kent Coast electrification scheme, for use on such trains as the Golden Arrow and Night Ferry. Ten locos were rebuilt during 1966-67 as Class 74 for the London-Bournemouth electrification scheme of the mid-60s, for use with passenger and freight, especially those operating to and from Southampton docks. Of the remaining locos, all were withdrawn together during November 1977. Apart from engine 71001 (E5001), which is preserved at the National Railway Museum, York, all were cut up for scrap by the end of March 1980.

BUILT: 1959-60 by British Railways Doncaster Works.

ENGINE: 750V dc (Overhead and Third Rail).

NUMBER SERIES: 71001-71014.

PREVIOUS NUMBERS: Between E5000-E5023.

TRANSMISSION: .

MAX SPEED: 90mph.

TRACTIVE EFFORT: 43,800lb.

WEIGHT: 77 tons.

WHEEL ARRANGEMENT: Bo-Bo.

QTY BUILT : 24
FLEET STRENGTH: NIL (All Withdrawn - 10 Rebuilt - 1 Preserved)

Unless stated otherwise Photographs in this section are © copyright of Milburn Associates. Permission to use these images in railway society newsletters, etc., can be obtained by e-mailing the Thin Controller.

[E5021] [JPEG Image of E5021 size 26K]

Class 71 E5021 (Later Rebuilt to Class 74 No. 74010) in British Railways Green Livery at Stewarts Lane Shed (73A).

[Go to top of page]

[Go to Home Page]

Last revised: 16 October 1998