R3374 BR Class 71 Bo-Bo 71012

The design specification of the Class 71 was based on the experience gained in the previous fifteen years, through the operation of Bulleid’s CC1 & CC2, Class 70 locomotives. By adopting the continental practice of reducing the weight, without sacrificing tractive effort, a smaller engine could be built, resulting in a 750v DC, 77 ton, Bo-Bo locomotive, 24 of which were built by BR’s Doncaster works between 1958 and 1960. Numbered E5000 – E5023 as built (E5000 was subsequently renumbered to E5024 in December 1962), the type was classified by BR Southern Region as HA. To enable operation under the simple catenary wires erected in a number of Kentish yards at that time, a single pantograph was fitted centrally on the roof and a booster system was also fitted, avoiding the problem of ‘gapping’ across short breaks in the conductor rail.

Locomotive 71001 was saved for the National Collection and moved to York, being restored to its original BR Green livery and number, that of E5001. Having worked a number of mainline specials during the 1990s, it was placed on display at Ashford, York and, latterly, Shildon but it can now be seen on display at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire.