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powered from 3rd rail 750V D.C. power supply A History of Type 71 Electric locomotives Contemporary and Heritage-Preserved, Diesel, Diesel-Electric and Electric Locomotives My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s *
Now in British Rail blue livery, Class 71 electric locomotive E5001 in Shildon NRM Museum, 2024
British Railways BR Class 71 Bo-Bo electric locomotive E5001 in British Railways Green livery (E 5001, 71001, 71 001) built at Doncaster in 1959. The Class 71's were designed for the Kent electrification scheme to haul freight and express passenger trains including the famous 'Golden Arrow' and 'Night Ferry' passenger boat trains to Dover. Photographed in Shildon NRM. A History of the Class 71 Electric locomotives The Class 71 were a small but powerful fleet of 24 Southern Region electric locomotives built 1958–60 at Doncaster for the Kent Coast electrification, working exclusively from 650–750 V DC third‑rail (with limited overhead DC in yards) and withdrawn by 1977, with ten later rebuilt into the electro‑diesel Class 74. Origins and Purpose of the Class 71 electric locomotivesThe Class 71 (originally Southern Region Type HA) were ordered under the 1955 Modernisation Plan to provide high‑power electric traction for the newly electrified Kent Coast main lines. All 24 locomotives were built at BR Doncaster Works between 1958 and 1960, numbered E5000–E5023, though E5000 was renumbered E5024 in 1962. They were designed for fast freight and heavy prestige passenger work, including the Golden Arrow and Night Ferry, where their high power and rapid acceleration were valuable. Power Collection and Electrical SystemClass 71s were unusual in combining:
They also used a flywheel booster system, derived from earlier Southern Railway designs, to maintain continuity of power over short gaps in the third rail. Technical Characteristics of the Class 71 electric locomotives
The locomotives were built on load‑bearing underframes, with bodywork not intended to take structural stresses, and used 4 ft spoked wheels with a long bogie wheelbase. Operations and Service Life of the Class 71 electric locomotivesClass 71s entered service from 1959, working:
They performed reliably and had low maintenance costs, but their dependence on continuous electrification limited flexibility—especially once the Class 73 electro‑diesels entered service, which could operate anywhere. This competition reduced the Class 71’s usefulness. Rebuilds and Conversions of the Class 71 electric locomotivesThe most significant change in the class’s history was the conversion of ten locomotives into the Class 74 electro‑diesels in 1967–68. These rebuilds added diesel engines, high‑level jumper cables (“bagpipes”), and extensive electrical changes. The Class 74s, however, proved less reliable than the original Class 71s. Withdrawal of the Class 71 electric locomotivesDeclining Southern Region freight, the arrival of more versatile electro‑diesels, and rationalisation of electric locomotive fleets led to:
Preservation of the Class 71 electric locomotivesOnly one locomotive, E5001, survives. It is part of the National Railway Museum collection and has appeared at events such as Railfest and displays at Waterloo and Stewarts Lane. Summary Table of the Class 71 electric locomotives
docspics images of Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays photos of Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays photographs of Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays pictures of Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery to Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular Class 71 electric locomotive rail tour holidays Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire * Carlisle Station * Clapham Junction Station, London * Colton Junction, south of York * Coventry * Crewe Station * Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station * Leicester station * Newcastle Station * Northallerton Station * Nuneaton Station * Peterborough * Sheffield Station * Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML * York Station See other TOPS classes * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 * Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 * Class 3000 * |
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