British Rail Class 89

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British Rail Class 89
89001 in GNER livery at Doncaster Works in July 2003
Type and origin Power type Electric Designer Brush Traction Builder BREL Crewe Works Serial number 875[1] Build date 1986 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 1.070 m (3 ft 6.1 in)[2] Minimum curve 80 m (262 ft 6 in)[2] Wheelbase 15.100 m (49 ft 6.5 in)[2] ​  • Axle spacing (Asymmetrical) Axles 1–2 and 5–6: 2.100 m (6 ft 10.7 in)[2] Axles 2–3 and 4–5: 2.300 m (7 ft 6.6 in)[2]  • Bogie 4.400 m (14 ft 5.2 in)[2] Pivot centres 10.900 m (35 ft 9.1 in)[2] Length 19.798 m (64 ft 11.4 in) (over buffers)[2] Width 2.736 m (8 ft 11.7 in)[2] Height: ​  • Pantograph 3.977 m (13 ft 0.6 in)[2]  • Body height 3.810 m (12 ft 6.0 in)[2] Axle load 17.6 t (17.4 LT; 19.4 ST)[2] Loco weight 105 t (103 LT; 116 ST)[2] Electric system/s 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead Current pickup(s) Pantograph (Brecknell Willis high speed)[3] Traction motors 6 × Brush Traction TM 2201A[3][2] ​  • Continuous 808 A per motor[2] MU working TDM[4] Train heating Electric Train Supply, index 95 (510 kVA at 893 V AC)[2][3] Loco brake Air and rheostatic[2] Train brakes Air[2] Safety systems AWS[5] Couplers Buckeye[6]
Performance figures Maximum speed Design: 125 mph (201 km/h)[2] Service: 110 mph (177 km/h)[3] Power output: ​  • Continuous 4,286 kW (5,748 hp) at rails[2] Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 205 kN (46,000 lbf)[2]  • Continuous 105 kN (24,000 lbf) at 91 mph (147 km/h)[2] Brakeforce 53% of loco weight (inc. rheostatic brake)[2]
Career Operators InterCity GNER Class 89 Numbers 89001 Nicknames Aardvark Badger Axle load class Route Availability 6[3] Locale West Coast Main Line East Coast Main Line Delivered 2 October 1986 First run 9 February 1987 Withdrawn July 1992 (BR) October 2000 (GNER) Current owner AC Locomotive Group Disposition Preserved

The British Rail Class 89 is a prototype electric locomotive. Only one was built, in 1986, by British Rail Engineering Limited's Crewe Works. It was used on test-trains on both the West Coast and East Coast Main Lines. The locomotive was fitted with advanced power control systems and developed more than 6,000 bhp (4,500 kW). After being withdrawn in 1992, it was returned to service in 1996, before being again withdrawn in 2000. As of January 2021, it is in the final stages of an overhaul that will return it to the main line.