Steve Johnson    Modelmaker

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English Electric AL3/Class 83 Bo-Bo

Fifteen AL3 locomotives were built between 1960 and 1962 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry. They were numbered E3024 to E3035, E3303 to E3304 and E3100.

The first batch E3024 to E3035 were built as Type A locomotives with passenger gearing. E3304 and E3305 were Type B's with freight gearing. These two were later rebuilt as Type A's and renumbered E3098 and E3099. The last locomotive in the class was originally to be built as another Type B numbered E3305. It was never built as such and instead became a test bed for silicon rectifiers and transductors, becoming a Type A and numbered E3100, being classed as an AL3/1. Under the TOPS scheme, the class was renumbered 83 001 to 83 015.

As with the Class 84, the Class 83 suffered problems with the mercury arc rectifiers and were placed in store between 1967 and 1971. With the forthcoming extension of the WCML electrification to Glasgow, it was decided to rebuild the class with silicon rectifiers and re-instate the class. They lasted until 1983 when all but three were withdrawn. The remaining three worked empty stock at Euston until finally being withdrawn in 1989.

This another of the few mainline classes I don't have a model of, having missed earlier kit productions. Maybe a mainstream manufacturer will produce one, or I will be turning to CAD and 3D Printing!

MTK produced a white metal kit and I believe L&J Models produced a resin bodied version. DC Kits also produced a kit with white metal ends, roof and bogies with etched brass sides.