View source for British Rail Class 83

{{Short description|British electric locomotive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name             = British Railways AL3<br>British Rail Class 83
|powertype        = Electric

|image            = 83014 at Wolverhampton on 27th May 1978.jpg<!-- E3035_at_Doncaster_Works.JPG-->
|caption          = 83014 at Wolverhampton on 27 May 1978. 
|builder          = [[English Electric]] at [[Vulcan Foundry]] 
|ordernumber      = {{ubl|CCH 0916 (EE)|6794 (VF, E3024-8)|6795 (VF, E3029-33)|6796 (VF, E3034-5, E3303-4, E3100)<ref name=WebbDuncan49 />}}
|serialnumber     = 
|buildmodel       = 
|builddate        = 1960–1962
|totalproduction  = 15
|Britishclass     = [[Bo-Bo]]
|aarwheels = [[AAR wheel arrangement|B-B]]
|uicclass         = Bo′Bo′
|gauge            = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|minimumcurve     = {{convert|4|chain|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=ACLG1>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/stock83012.php|title=Technical Details|work=The AC Locomotive Group|access-date=10 February 2016|archive-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314094157/http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/stock83012.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|wheeldiameter    = {{convert|4|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46>{{harvnb|Webb|Duncan|1979|p=46}}</ref>
|wheelbase        = {{convert|40|ft|0|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46 />
|length           = {{convert|52|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46 />
|width            = {{convert|8|ft|8+5/8|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46 />
|pantodown        = {{convert|13|ft|0+5/8|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46 />
|bodyonly         = {{convert|12|ft|4+1/4|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=WebbDuncan46 />
|weightondrivers  = {{convert|19|LT|t ST|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
|locoweight       = {{convert|76.40|LT|t ST|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|electricsystem   = [[25 kV AC]] [[Overhead line|Catenary]]
|collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]]
|tractionmotors =  {{ubl|4 × [[English Electric]] 535A<ref name=WebbDuncan41>{{harvnb|Webb|Duncan|1979|p=41}}</ref>| {{convert|750|hp|abbr=on}}}}
|transmission     = 
|maxspeed         = {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}}
|poweroutput      = {{convert|2950|hp|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}} (continuous)
|tractiveeffort   = {{convert|38000|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}} (max)
|factorofadhesion =
|locobrakes       = {{ubl|[[Davies and Metcalfe]] (as built)|[[Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd|Westinghouse]] (refurbishment)<ref name=WebbDuncan40>{{harvnb|Webb|Duncan|1979|p=40}}</ref>}}
|locobrakeforce   = 38 tons<ref name=ACLG1 />
|trainbrakes      = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]], [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|Dual]] from 1972–1973
|trainheating = [[Electric Train Heating]] index: 66<ref name=ACLG1 />
|operator         = [[British Rail]]
|operatorclass    = AL3; later 83
|numinclass       = 15
|fleetnumbers     = E3024–E3035, E3098-E3100; later 83001–83015
|officialname     =
|nicknames        = 
|locale           = [[West Coast Main Line]]
|axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 6
|firstrundate     =
|lastrundate      =
|retiredate       = 1975 (1), 1978 (1), 1983 (10), 1989 (3)
|restoredate      =
|scrapdate        = 1975, 1978, 1984, and 1993
|currentowner     =
| preservedunits   = 1
|disposition      = One preserved, remainder scrapped
}}

The [[British Rail]] '''Class 83''' [[electric locomotive]]s were built by [[English Electric]] at [[Vulcan Foundry]], [[Newton-le-Willows]] as part of the [[West Coast Main Line]] electrification.

== History ==
===Construction===
Fifteen locomotives of British Rail Class 83 were built between 1960 and 1962 by [[English Electric]] at [[Vulcan Foundry]], as part of [[British Rail|British Rail's]] policy to develop a standard electric locomotive. Five prototype classes (81-85) were built and evaluated, which eventually led to the development of the [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86]] locomotive.

Three of these locomotives were to have been built as Type B, geared for freight trains, but as it was only two were so built, becoming E3303 and E3304.<ref name=MarsdenFenn77>{{harvnb|Marsden|Fenn|2001|p=77}}</ref> The third Type B, E3305, was never built as such. Instead it was used as a test bed with silicon [[rectifier]]s and [[transductor]]s,<ref name=Longhurst>{{harvnb|Longhurst|1979|loc=Class AL3–83}}</ref> this being the first step towards [[thyristor]] control. It became a Type A, geared for passenger trains, and numbered E3100.

The other two Type B locomotives were eventually rebuilt as Type A, being renumbered E3098 (ex E3303) and E3099 (ex E3304). Power was provided by overhead catenary energized at 25,000 V AC.

Under the pre-[[TOPS]] British Rail classification, the first fourteen locomotives, E3024 - E3035 and E3303, E3304 (later E3098 and E3099) were '''Class AL3''' (meaning the 3rd design of AC Locomotive). The fifteenth engine, E3100 became '''Class AL3/1'''. All fifteen were included in the TOPS numbering system, being renumbered 83001-015.

The [[PKP class EU06|Polish EU06]] class was produced by English Electric at the same time as the Class 83s and externally they are quite similar.

===In service===
The class was used to haul trains on the then newly electrified [[West Coast Main Line]], from [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham]], to {{stnlnk|Crewe}}, [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]], [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool]] and later {{stnlnk|Preston}}. By 1965, electrification had spread south to [[Euston railway station|London Euston]].

===Storage and refurbishment===
As with the [[British Rail Class 84|Class 84]], the Class 83 suffered with problems due to the [[mercury-arc rectifier]]s.<ref name=Morrison13>{{harvnb|Morrison|2013|p=13}}</ref> After spending several years in storage (1967 to 1971), they were rebuilt with silicon rectifiers, as were already fitted to E3100, and dual braking between July 1970 and October 1973.<ref name=WebbDuncan49>{{harvnb|Webb|Duncan|1979|p=49}}</ref>

The decision to reinstate the fifteen engines of Class 83 was the result of the extension of the electrification from [[Weaver Junction]] to [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]], which required more electric locomotives.<ref name=MarsdenFenn77 /> With both Class 83 and Class 84 being returned to traffic only thirty-six [[British Rail Class 87|Class 87]] were required to be built.

===Later use===
Electrification finally reached Glasgow in the early 1970s, allowing this class to operate the full length of the West Coast Main Line.

The last three in service (83009, 83012 and 83015) were retained for use on empty coaching stock workings from [[London]] [[Euston Station]] to Willesden.<ref name=MarsdenFenn78>{{harvnb|Marsden|Fenn|2001|p=78}}</ref><ref name="RE55-32">{{cite magazine|title=Well Done Willesden|magazine=[[Rail Magazine|Rail Enthusiast]]|issue=55|date=April 1986|page=32|publisher=EMAP|issn=0262-561X}}</ref> 83009 had previously been used at [[Longsight Electric TMD|Longsight]] in Manchester, to convert the 25&nbsp;kV AC supply to 1500&nbsp;V DC, to allow testing of the [[British Rail Class 506|Class 506]] units<ref name="RE55-32" /> following the closure of [[Reddish Electric Depot|Reddish Depot]].

===Withdrawal===
[[File:83001 - Vic Berrys Leicester (10341805155).jpg|thumb|left|83001 at the [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry Scrapyard]].]]
Two engines were withdrawn early as a result of accidents. The first was 83003, withdrawn in May 1975, which was severely damaged in an accident on 23 January 1975 at [[Watford Junction railway station|Watford]]<ref name=WebbDuncan49 /> with a [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86]] (86209).

The second engine was 83004 which, on 24 December 1977, was severely damaged in a collision with a [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]] at [[Willesden Junction station|Willesden]].<ref name=WebbDuncan49 /> In 1983, ten of the remaining thirteen engines were withdrawn, all being sent to the [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry Scrapyard]] in [[Leicester]]. The final three were withdrawn in 1989, with two of the three being scrapped at [[MC Metals]] of Glasgow in 1993.<ref name=ACLG2>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/data81-85.php?sort=&sub=83&num=&name=&status=|title=Class 81-85 Renumbering Chart : 83 sorted by E-number|work=The AC Locomotive Group|access-date=10 February 2016|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422114018/http://aclocogroup.co.uk/data81-85.php?sort=&sub=83&num=&name=&status=|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Power supply ==
The locomotives always worked on power provided by [[Overhead line|overhead catenary]] energised at 25,000 V AC. However, the main transformer, normally operated with the four windings in series, could be operated at 6250&nbsp;V AC with the transformer windings in parallel. This voltage was initially to be used where [[Structure gauge|limited clearances]] gave concern over use of the higher voltage. Since the clearances were found to be adequate, the lower voltage connections were locked out of use.{{sfn|Allan|1968|p=11}}

== Preservation ==
[[file:E3035_at_Doncaster_Works.JPG|thumb|E3035, on display at [[Doncaster Works]] open day on 27 July 2003. This locomotive is preserved by the AC Locomotive Group at [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed]].]]
One locomotive has been preserved by the [[AC Locomotive Group]].
*83012 / E3035 - [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed]]<ref name=MarsdenFenn77 />

The locomotive was originally preserved by [[Pete Waterman]] in 1992, and then purchased by the AC Locomotive Group in 1997.<ref name=ACLG2 />
{{Clear}}
== Fleet details ==

{| class="wikitable"
!Key:
|bgcolor=#87cefa|Preserved
|bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|- 
!colspan=3|Numbers<ref name=WebbDuncan49 />
!colspan=2|Works Number<ref name=WebbDuncan49 />
!rowspan=2|Date Introduced<ref name=WebbDuncan49 />
!rowspan=2|Withdrawn<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railblue.com/Fleet/class_83_fleet.htm|title=The Class 83 Fleet|work=Rail Blue|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703081741/http://www.railblue.com/Fleet/class_83_fleet.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!align=left colspan=2|Disposal
|-
!Type B
!Type A
!TOPS
!English Electric
!Vulcan Foundry
!Location<ref name=ACLG2 />
!Date
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3024
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83001
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2928
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E264
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1984
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3025
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83002
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2929
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E265
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|November 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3026
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83003
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2930
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E266
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|August 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|May 1975
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at [[Crewe Works]]
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1975
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3027
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83004
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2931
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E267
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|September 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|January 1978
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Coopers Metals, Sheffield 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|February 1978
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3028
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83005
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2932
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E268
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|October 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|November 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3029
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83006
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2933
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E269
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|October 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|October 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3030
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83007
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2934
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E270
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|November 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3031
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83008
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2935
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E271
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|November 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3032
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83009
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2936
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E272
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1960
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|March 1989
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|August 1993
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3033
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83010
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2937
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E273
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|16 December 1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railuk.info/diesel/getloco.php?item=%2083010|title=Class 83 Number 83010|work=RailUK|access-date=10 February 2016|archive-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217062139/http://www.railuk.info/diesel/getloco.php?item=%2083010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|December 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3034
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83011
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2938
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E274
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|February 1961
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|November 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|-
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|E3035
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|83012
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|2941
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|E277
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|July 1961
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa|March 1989
|align=center bgcolor=87cefa colspan=2|Preserved at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3303
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3098
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83013
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2939
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E275
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|March 1961
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester 
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|October 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3304
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3099
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83014
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2940
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E276
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|May 1961
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1983
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|October 1984
|-
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|(E3305)
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E3100
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|83015
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|2942
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|E278
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|July 1962
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|February 1989
|bgcolor=cecece|Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow
|align=center bgcolor=cecece|April 1993
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book |title=The Class 33s A Sixty Year History |first=Simon |last=Lilley |publisher=Crécy Publishing Ltd |location=Manchester |year=2020 |isbn=978-191080-9662 }}
*{{cite book|title=Electric Locomotives of the West Coast Main Line|first=Roly|last=Longhurst|publisher=D. Bradford Barton Ltd.|location=Truro|year=1979|isbn=0851533558|oclc=16491712}}
*{{cite book|title=British Rail Main Line Electric Locomotives|first1=Colin J.|last1=Marsden|first2=Graham B.|last2=Fenn|publisher=Oxford Publishing Co.|year=2001|edition=2nd|isbn=9780860935599|oclc=48532553}}
*{{cite book|title=AC Electric Locomotives in Colour|first=Gavin|last=Morrison|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2013|isbn=9780711035058|oclc=812686430}}
*{{cite book|first1=Brian|last1=Webb|first2=John|last2=Duncan|title=AC Electric Locomotives of British Rail|publisher=David & Charles|year=1979|isbn=9780715376638|oclc=6916046}}
*{{cite book |title=British Rail Locomotives and other motive power: Combined volume |year=1968 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]] |location=London |isbn=0-7110-0008-5 |chapter=British Railways Motive Power Survey |ref={{harvid|Allan|1968}} }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=Looking back at AC Electric Locomotives|first=Kevin|last=Derrick|publisher=Strathwood|year=2014|isbn=9781905276516|oclc=931820979}}
*{{cite book |last=McManus |first=Michael |title=Ultimate Allocations, British Railways Locomotives 1948 - 1968 |publisher=Wirral. Michael McManus }}
*{{cite magazine|title=Classes 82/83 put into store|page=47|date=February 1983|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat|British Rail Class 83}}
* [http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/ AC Locomotive Group - Owners of preserved locomotive no. 83012 / E3035]
{{British Rail Locomotives}}

[[Category:British Rail electric locomotives|83]]
[[Category:English Electric locomotives]]
[[Category:Vulcan Foundry locomotives]]
[[Category:Bo-Bo locomotives]]
[[Category:25 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1960]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Bo′Bo′ electric locomotives]]