Preserved electric locomotives of British Rail

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Experimental electric battery locomotives were first developed in Scotland, in the mid 19th century. The first locomotives to be powered through rails or overhead wires were developed in Germany, whilst the first electric powered train in the UK was Volk's Electric Railway opened in 1883 in Brighton.

Switzerland hosted the first practical AC powered locomotives, followed enthusiastically by Italian Railways.

In the UK, it was the North Eastern Railway which was first to introduce main-line electric locomotives, in the early part of the 20th century. One of these, designed as a dock shunter, has been preserved, and is on display at 'Locomotion' Museum, in Shildon. Whilst there was some further innovation in the 1940's and 50's, it was not until the 1960's that British Rail began electrification 'en-mass'.

On nationalisation, Electric locomotives (and multiple units) were numbered with the prefix 'E'. I have limited this article to locos which once carried this prefix.

There are currently only 20 former BR mainline electric locomotives preserved in Britain. Most have been captured in action by Geograph contributors and I have attempted to illustrate this heritage using their input.

I have used up to three shots of each locomotive; where possible, including a shot from BR days.

There are still several gaps in the Geograph coverage, which I have marked as 'missing'. Please let me know if you manage to upload some shots to fill the blanks!


E3003, (81002) Class 81, Barrow Hill Engine Shed.

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E3035, (83012), Class 83, Barrow Hill Engine Shed.

E3036, (84001), Class 84, Scottish Railway Museum, Bo'ness.

E3054, (82008), Class 82, Barrow Hill Engine Shed.

E3061, (85006), (85101), Class 85, Barrow Hill Engine Shed.

E3137, (86259) Class 86, West Coast Railways.

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E3191, (86201) (86101), Class 86, Locomotive Services.

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E3199, (86001) (86401), Class 86, West Coast Railways.

E5001, (71001) Class 71, Locomotion, Shildon

E6001, (73001), Class 73, Crewe

E6002, (73002), Class 73, Locomotive Services

E6003, (73003), Class 73 Swindon and Cricklade Railway

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E6022, (73210), Class 73, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

E6031, (73964), Class 73, GBRf

E6032, (73962), Class 73, GBRf

E6036, Class 73, Cambrian Heritage Railways.

E6047, (73140), Class 73, Spa Valley Railway

26500, Class ES1, Locomotion, Shildon

E26020, Class 76, National Railway Museum, York

E27000 Electra, Class 77, Midland Railway Centre,

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E27001 Ariadne, Class 77, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

Missing from Geograph>>>>>> E27003 Diana, Class 77, Utrecht Railway Museum

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