87035’s Virgin Trains transformation complete
JUST OVER two years since Virgin Trains disappeared from the railway network, the defunct operator’s distinctive red and grey livery has been recreated on Crewe Heritage Centre’s preserved 87035 Robert Burns.
Work on the restoration of the locomotive was completed in January with the addition of Virgin branding, after permission was obtained for the Virgin logos to be applied.
It is planned that the locomotive will be re-dedicated at CHC when the centre opens after the winter break in March.
87035 is being kept in good condition by volunteers at CHC, and much of the electrical and mechanical equipment is being restored to operational condition, although it is unlikely that it will be returned to main line use. 87035 has donated its traction motors to Locomotive Services Ltd to replace defective motors on 87002, and there are no plans for it to operate under its own power at the present time.
The Class 87s were widely used by Virgin West Coast following the operator taking over on the West Coast Main Line in 1997, with the 35 Class 87/0s all receiving Virgin’s red and grey colour scheme, including 87035. The operator replaced the Class 87 fleet with its new fleet of Class 390 Pendolino trains, and Virgin West Coast continued to operate the West Coast franchise until it was taken over by Avanti West Coast in December 2019.
The majority of the Class 87 fleet were exported to Bulgaria following their retirement in the UK, with many still operational following their reactivation by Romic Ace and Europhoenix (Railways Illustrated, October 2021).
Three Class 87s remain based in the UK – including 87035 – although only one is still operational. 87001 Royal Scot/stephenson is preserved as part of the National Collection and is on static display at the Railway Museum in York, while 87002 Royal Sovereign is owned by Locomotive Services Ltd and main line-registered with the company. A more detailed feature on the restoration of 87035 will be contained in a future issue.