British Rail Class 89

The Class 89 is a prototype design for an electric locomotive. Only one unit was built, no. 89001, which was officially named Avocet by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on January 16 1989 at Sandy, Bedfordshire - the home of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (whose logo is an avocet). It was built in 1986, by BREL at their Crewe Works, and was used on test-trains on both the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Main Line. It was fitted with advanced power control systems and develops over 6,000 bhp (4,500 kW). It was given the nickname "Aardvark" although the railfans used to call it "The Badger" owing to its sloping front ends.

British Rail Class 89
Class 89, no. 89001, at Doncaster Works open day on July 27 2003. This locomotive has now been bought by the AC Locomotive Group.
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder BREL Crewe Works Build date 1989 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Co-Co  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge Minimum curve 80 m (260 ft) Length 19,800 mm (65 ft 0 in) Loco weight 105 tonnes (103 long tons; 116 short tons) Electric system/s 25 kV AC Current pickup(s) Pantograph Train heating Electric Train Heating index: 95 Loco brake Air & Rheostatic Train brakes Air
Performance figures Top speed 125 mph (201 km/h) Brakeforce 50 long tons-force (500 kN) (Rheostatic)
Career Railroad(s) British Rail, GNER Number 89001 Axle load class Route availability 6 Disposition Now preserved by the AC Locomotive Group