Class 87s for UK or Europe

1st November 2011

Europhoenix has overhauled the first two of three class 87 locomotives to be made available for lease in the UK or Europe.  While the locomotives have also been finished to European standards, unlike the locomotives exported to Bulgaria their UK-specific equipment has been retained, and recertification for use on the UK network is expected by the end of 2011.  Locomotives 87017 and 87023 have been completed, with 87009 to follow shortly.  In collaboration with Electric Traction Ltd, who have four other 25kV locomotives available for hire, a total of seven locomotives of classes 86/1, 86/7 and 87 are potentially available to customers.

Class 87s offer power at rail of 5000hp (7860hp max) and 110mph capability, and have proved one of the most reliable and versatile workhorses of recent years.

Third 86 for Floyd

12th March 2010

The third Class 86 for Floyd has been completed at Long Marston.

Following successful trials of an initial pair of Class 86s, exported to Hungary in 2009, the third locomotive has been despatched from Long Marston for eastern Europe. This locomotive features additional modifications incorporated in light of experience with recent overhauls of the class.

Another three 87s handed over

2nd October 2009

Three further 87s have now been handed over to the Bulgarian Railway Company following testing at LNWR Crewe.

The locomotives, which include the specially repainted 87004, will return to Long Marston prior to road movement for shipping abroad.

Royal heritage for Bulgaria

9th September 2009

When the management of the Bulgarian Railway Company discovered that locomotive 87004 had performed Royal Train duties, a plan was formed to celebrate the Royal connection by returning the locomotive to its British Rail livery, with its original name "Britannia".

The locomotive has been modified in line with the other locomotives in the fleet, but in place of the BRC green/yellow livery, Rail Blue and BR arrows now adorn the locomotive's bodysides, together with specially made cast BRC emblems. Naming locomotives is virtually unheard of in Bulgaria, so the application of "Britannia" plates will be unusual for a locomotive operating in that country.

With two others, 87004 will journey to Crewe for acceptance before being shipped to Bulgaria in the near future.

Class 86/7s completed for ETL

7th August 2009

The two initial Class 86/7s for ETL have been completed at Long Marston and are now ready for live testing.

Reclassified from 86/2 to 86/7 to indicate their new 110mph speed limit, the locomotives have been fully repainted into ETL's red and grey livery. The pair will move to LNWR Crewe for testing and recertification shortly.

First 86 for ETL nears completion

28th May 2009

The first of two Class 86s for use by Electric Traction Ltd is nearing completion at Long Marston. The locomotives are being overhauled for UK mainline use, and uprated for 110mph operation from their existing 100mph limit.

Class 87 export progress

28th May 2009

The latest batch of Class 87s for Bulgaria is now being exported, following reconditioning and power testing by ETS. The locos were moved from Long Marston to Crewe for re-energisation and hand-over, and are now being shipped to Bulgaria by barge.

Second Floyd loco for export handed over

28th May 2009

The second Class 86 locomotive for Hungarian operator Floyd has completed testing at Crewe. This follows the first loco which, since export in February, has been undergoing tests in Hungary.

Europhoenix demonstrator and first loco for export unveiled

30th January 2009

Following several months of modification work, Europhoenix today unveiled their demonstrator locomotive. The locomotive has been modified from a standard BR Class 86 locomotive to demonstrate the types of alteration possible for export locomotives.

Fitted with modern-standard light-clusters and roof-mounted headlights to comply with European standards, in place of the original headcode-mounted marker lights and central headlight, the loco will also be fitted with twin Faiveley pantrographs in due course as another example of the available modifications under the Europhoenix programme.

Modifications to traction and internal equipment will be carried out according to customersÕ requirements.

Europhoenix is proud to simultaneously unveil the first former Class 86 locomotive for export, number 0450 001-7, destined for open-access operator Floyd in Hungary.

This locomotive features an alternative modified headlight arrangement to comply with Hungarian standards, and has been given a comprehensive examination at Long Marston. The loco is due to move to Crewe for live testing on Tuesday 3rd February, and handover to Floyd for export.

A second locomotive is undergoing modification for Floyd and will follow Floyd 1 to Hungary in March.

Three more for export

28th August 2008

Three more Class 87s are now ready for testing and hand-over for export. Locomotives 87010, 87022 and 87028 are due to leave Long Marston this week for 25kV testing.

Europhoenix in fleet purchase deal for Class 86 locomotives

18th August 2008

Europhoenix Limited is in the process of completing a deal to purchase the remaining HSBC Class 86/2 fleet. A total of 23 locomotives are to be included in the deal which will see several locomotives overhauled for use in Europe and the UK.

The fleet has been stored since withdrawal from frontline service in the UK three years ago, but following the sale for export of the similar Class 87 locomotives to Bulgaria for further use, considerable interest from Eastern and Western Europe has been shown towards the Europhoenix concept.

Locomotives will be overhauled in the UK to customer's requirements prior to export or home use. Options include the fitting of dual pantographs, and other modifications to suit local regulations.

First three 87s handed over for export

28th April 2008

The first three Class 87 locomotives overhauled for use in Bulgaria have been handed over from Electric Traction Services following live testing at Crewe. Locomotives 87007, 87008 and 87026 were moved to Crewe on 22nd April and tested at the LNWR facility on 24th, including a test of the TDM multiple working system.

The locomotives will be exported to Bulgaria via the Channel Tunnel.

Bulgarian Livery Revealed

15th April 2008

The first loco to be outshopped in the Bulgarian Railway Company's (BRC) green and yellow livery was rolled out this afternoon at Long Marston following completion of its export refurbishment by Electric Traction Services Limited. 87026 is the first recipient and also incorporates headlight and buffer modifications. The livery, which incorporates BRC's green and yellow house colours, was designed by Electric Traction Ltd and will be applied to those locomotives whose bodywork condition requires attention prior to export.

87026 is booked to move to Crewe next week, along with grey/blue liveried 87007 and 87008 for 25kV testing prior to export via the tunnel.

First batch of 87s nears completion

13th March 2008

Work on the first three Class 87s for export is nearing completion at Long Marston. The locos are likely to be moved in April for testing under the OHLE prior to export.

Class 87 Export Work Begins

8th January 2008

Electric Traction Services has begun preparing a further twenty-six Class 87 locomotives for export to the Bulgarian Railway Company. This follows on from last year's successful trial export of two locomotives, which are now in service in Bulgaria. Locomotives are being returned to working order and will receive some modifications prior to departure, in line with Bulgarian requirements.

The work is being carried out at Long Marston, with locomotives likely to be exported in batches of six over the next 24 months.

Bulgarian Class 87 Acceptance Completed

25th June 2007

Glenn Edwards, Director of Electric Traction Services (ETS) is pleased to announce, in association with Romic UK that the commissioning of 87019 has been completed in Bulgaria, and the 87 design will shortly be signed off and free to travel on the network.

A number of changes have been made to the Locomotive which include the fitting of rear view mirrors, relocation of the headlamp assembly, cab modifications and fitting of a new Speedo system. ETS's involvement with the project has ranged from providing loco examinations and staff training to on-site acceptance testing in Bulgaria.