Class 83 Profile and Models

The British Rail Class 83 electric locomotives were built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification. The class was used to haul trains on the then newly electrified West Coast Main Line, from Birmingham, to Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool and later Preston. By 1965, electrification had spread south to London Euston. As with the Class 84, the Class 83 suffered with problems due to the mercury-arc rectifiers. After spending several years in storage (1967 to 1971), they were rebuilt with silicon rectifiers. Electrification finally reached Glasgow in the early 1970s, allowing this class to operate the full length of the West Coast Main Line. All were withdrawn by the end of 1993 and one has been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Builder

Build Dates

Total Built

Tractive Effort

Power Output

Top Speed

Wheel Configuration

Operated By

Main Duties

In Service Until

Surviving Examples