AC Electric Locomotives
The LMR electrification project began in 1958, and a total of 100 AC electric locomotives were ordered to a design specification set by the British Transport Commission from five different manufacturers. The Classes were designated AL1 to AL5.
The locomotives were of 2950 to 3300 HP and had a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement. Weight in working order was 80 tons, which equates to an axle load of 20t.
The AL1-5 locomotives were not multiplied, but BR designed and built the AL6 locomotive incorporating the best features of the initial 5 classes. The second generation AL6 became the largest class of AC electric locomotive and a total of 100 were built, entering service from 1965.
The livery of all AC Electric Locomotives was an attractive Electric Blue, later giving way to rail blue and yellow warning panels.
Power is collected from the single overhead wire at 25 Kv AC and is then transformed to a lower voltage, rectified to DC, and then a controlled voltage and current is fed to the DC traction motors.
The LMR electrification project began in 1958, and a total of 100 AC electric locomotives were ordered to a design specification set by the British Transport Commission from five different manufacturers. The Classes were designated AL1 to AL5.
The locomotives were of 2950 to 3300 HP and had a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement. Weight in working order was 80 tons, which equates to an axle load of 20t.
The AL1-5 locomotives were not multiplied, but BR designed and built the AL6 locomotive incorporating the best features of the initial 5 classes. The second generation AL6 became the largest class of AC electric locomotive and a total of 100 were built, entering service from 1965.
The livery of all AC Electric Locomotives was an attractive Electric Blue, later giving way to rail blue and yellow warning panels.
Power is collected from the single overhead wire at 25 Kv AC and is then transformed to a lower voltage, rectified to DC, and then a controlled voltage and current is fed to the DC traction motors.