24th February 81 : 86003 at Northampton on a train of coaching stock.
When the Northampton to Market Harborough line was still in use there was a daily working of coaching stock between Willesden depot and Derby. The train ran to Spencer Bridge Yard where the ac electric was swapped for a diesel (often an ex-works example on test from Derby loco works). The line closed in 1981 but a small part of it has now been re-opened by a preservation group.
1st December 82 : 86103 "Andre Chapelon" at Coventry ona London service.
Not exactly an inspiring livery! 86103 was typical of the 100-strong class 86's at the time - plain blue with full yellow ends. Around half the class were named, giving some small relief to the bland corporate image.
8th December 80 : 86214 in a short term one-off colour scheme.
A variation on a theme - 86214 was one of two 86's tarted-up to advertise the "Rainhill 150" celebrations that took place this year. The wrap-around yellow cabs and large numbers became quite widely used on other classes of traction.
14th June 82 : 86214 still in the 1980 "Rainhill livery".
Not so short lived colour scheme...By mid-1982 and 86214 was still sporting this colour scheme.
8th January 81 : 86228 "Vulcan Heritage" at Euston.
86228 at London Euston on a Birmingham bound service.
9th October 82 : 86236 "Josiah Wedgwood" at Coventry.
86236 pauses at Coventry's platform 1 with a train for London.
17th March 84 : 86245 is ready for being named.
86245 is seen after a repaint but prior to naming "Dudley Castle". The BR double-arrow symbol had already been moved in readiness for the nameplates being applied. A number of 86's ran about for several years like this before they were finally named.
21st April 83 : 86258 prior to receiving it's "Talyllyn" nameplates.
Another 86 running around in "ready for naming" condition was 86258.
14th July 81 : 86326 on a diverted train at Northampton.
A relatively short-lived number series was the 863xx range. Originally 86026 this locomotive became 86326, then 86426. When classified 86/4 the locomotives became dedicated to freight workings.
15th September 90 : 86412 and 86430 run light-engine through Bletchley.
By the 1990's most Class 86's had been repainted into the standard InterCity livery of dark grey, white, red and light grey. A pair of 86/4's are seen here coupled together on a light-engine movement.
16th March 91 : 86424 with another class member at Northampton.
As a start of privatisation, each operating division took "ownership" of their locomotives and the number of liveries grew quickly. The parcels sector used a somewhat bright red/dark grey combinationas seen here on 86424.
29th December 90 : Parcels sector 86425...on a passenger working at Birmingham.
Operating sectors were quick to borrow each others locomotives when required. It led to many mis-matched loco/coach livery combinations.
21st December 91 : 86622 passes through a wet Northampton station.
Freight grey 86622 (with RfD sector markings) runs through Northampton station. This locomotive has been renumbered many times in its life - from E3174 to 86022 to 86322 to 86422 and finally 86622!
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