European Railroad Discussion > Electric Blue

About three weeks ago in the post 'Mission Electric' there was mention of the original shade of blue -- Electric Blue -- for the first BR AC electric locomotives.  Here are some photos of various members of classes AL1 through AL5, all taken in 1964, when they still had E3xxx numbers:

1)  E3082, an AL5, arriving at Piccadilly
2)  E3011, an AL1, departing
3)  E3012 and a sister AL1, at the south end of Stafford;  I like the contrast on either side.....

Another post to come.....

SZ

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The next two photographs were taken at Nuneaton, which at the time the photos were taken in August 1964, was the southernmost point for electric haulage of passenger trains to/from Liverpool or Manchester:

4)  An AL1 arriving with a Class 8 freight
5)  E3059, an AL5, and E3032, an AL3, awaiting their next duty north.  If the latter unit looks shorter, it's because it is, by about four feet [ and lighter by about a ton ] ;  the builders were given far more latitude than one might have thought.

With best regards,

SZ

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Really excellent shots - that was the best livery bestowed upon a UK electric locomotive in my opinion.

Great examples of the way train headcodes were also displayed on the front of trains back in those days.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/20 12:16 by exhaustED.

Great photos - that blue is an excellent color!

Brilliant, far too few pictures of the original AC classes in their original condition. Thanks.

Nice to see these. I agree with Nick, there is not a wealth of AC colour shots from that era. chris uk