British Rail Class 83 Electric Locomotive

Discover more about the locomotive built as part of the comprehensive electric prototyping project for the West Coast Main Line.

Bo-Bo Configuration

The British Rail Class 83 Electric Locomotive was a Bo-Bo configuration locomotive built in a production run of 15 units by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry in Newton-Le-Willows between 1960 and 1962.

Electric Prototyping Project

Designed as part of the electric prototyping project for the West Coast Main Line, Class 83 was built to assist the development of the later Class 86. Initial technical problems with its mercury-arc rectifiers meant that the Class 83 was withdrawn and went into storage between 1967 and 1971.

Electrification Extension

Later refitted with silicon rectifiers, it returned to service as capacity increased following the West Coast Main Line electrification extension. In common with Classes 81 and 82, three locomotives were later retained for use in coaching stock movements between London Euston and Willesden.