85 112 & 113 stored at Crewe ETD. 1991.
With the arrival of 50 new class 90's between 1987-90 the writing was on the wall for the early AC electrics from classes 81-85. Of the first AC electrics the numerically larger class 85 fleet lasted longest with major inroads into the fleet starting in 1989. In June that year twelve standard class 85/0's were selected by BR Railfreight Distribuition sector for dedicated freight work to become class 85/1's and had their ETH cables removed and the top speed down graded to 80mph to lengthen the maintenance cycle. They were seen as a stop gap for the late delivery of class 90's to the freight sector as the passenger sector took priority with deliveries. Three more 85/0's were added to the 85/1 fleet in 1990 as the original loco selected to be come 85 112 was fire damaged and the conversion was cancelled so a new 85 112 plus 113 and 114 were added. They seemed assured a future seeing out their days working freight but the class 85/1 fleet was short lived. By the late summer of 1991 only two were still in traffic no.'s 85 101 and 113. By November 1991 it was game over and both were withdrawn although 85 101 was reinstated in May 1992 on paper but to my knowledge this was not into active service as it was a precursor to being sold into preservation.
85 113 leading here was renumbered from 85 003 in October 1990 but two months late was stored service. It spent seven months in stored here at Crewe ETD before being reinstated on 15/07/91 to Willesden TMD as an ECS pilot loco working in and out of London Euston. Four months late its career was over being one of the last two withdrawn on 08/11/91.
85 112 standing behind was ex 85 007 renumbered on 12/03/90 and this loco only worked until 15/11/90 before being stored serviceable here at Crewe. It was never reinstated and was formally withdrawn on 05/07/91. Both locos eventually met their fate at MC Metals, Springburn, Glasgow.
85 112 & 113 stored at Crewe ETD. 1991.
With the arrival of 50 new class 90's between 1987-90 the writing was on the wall for the early AC electrics from classes 81-85. Of the first AC electrics the numerically larger class 85 fleet lasted longest with major inroads into the fleet starting in 1989. In June that year twelve standard class 85/0's were selected by BR Railfreight Distribuition sector for dedicated freight work to become class 85/1's and had their ETH cables removed and the top speed down graded to 80mph to lengthen the maintenance cycle. They were seen as a stop gap for the late delivery of class 90's to the freight sector as the passenger sector took priority with deliveries. Three more 85/0's were added to the 85/1 fleet in 1990 as the original loco selected to be come 85 112 was fire damaged and the conversion was cancelled so a new 85 112 plus 113 and 114 were added. They seemed assured a future seeing out their days working freight but the class 85/1 fleet was short lived. By the late summer of 1991 only two were still in traffic no.'s 85 101 and 113. By November 1991 it was game over and both were withdrawn although 85 101 was reinstated in May 1992 on paper but to my knowledge this was not into active service as it was a precursor to being sold into preservation.
85 113 leading here was renumbered from 85 003 in October 1990 but two months late was stored service. It spent seven months in stored here at Crewe ETD before being reinstated on 15/07/91 to Willesden TMD as an ECS pilot loco working in and out of London Euston. Four months late its career was over being one of the last two withdrawn on 08/11/91.
85 112 standing behind was ex 85 007 renumbered on 12/03/90 and this loco only worked until 15/11/90 before being stored serviceable here at Crewe. It was never reinstated and was formally withdrawn on 05/07/91. Both locos eventually met their fate at MC Metals, Springburn, Glasgow.