class-81-ac-electric

The BR Class 81 was one of the first series of 25 kV 50 Hz alternating current electric locomotives built for the West Coast Main Line electrification in the early 1960s, representing Britain's first main-line AC electric locomotive type and the beginning of the WCML electrification programme that would eventually carry overhead wires from London Euston to Glasgow — see the main BR Class 81 entry for full details. The AL1 (later Class 81) locomotives were built by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. with AEI electrical equipment. One example, 81002, is preserved.