18.11.05

Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook"), a subsidiary of Abbey National plc ("Abbey"), is pleased to announce the hand over of electric locomotive number 87001 to the National Collection, which will be housed at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York.

The hand over took place on the occasion of the NRM Annual Dinner on 17th November 2005, where the locomotive was displayed on the turntable. Keith Howard, Commercial Director for Porterbrook said

"This further demonstrates our continuing support of the NRM and we look forward to seeing the locomotive included in the National Collection so that it can be remembered for its service to Britain's railway"

Helen Ashby, Head of Knowledge & Collections, said:

"87001 will make a marvelous addition to our collection of electric locomotives, being part of the story of the electrification of the WCML (West Coast Main Line) in the early 1970s. It's the first of the class 87s to rise to the challenge for more powerful traction to cope with the gradients north of Lancaster and worked not only express passenger, but also heavy freight services throughout the WCML area."

The locomotive was prepared for its final trip to York by Alstom Traincare at Willesden depot, who had previously performed the running maintenance when on lease to Virgin West Coast. Thanks must also be given to the volunteers of the AC Locomotive Group who also assisted in preparing the locomotive. 87001 travelled from Willesden to the NRM in York, under its own power, courtesy of Cotswold Rail.

The locomotive has seen a number of livery changes but, in June 2003, in order to mark the contribution of Class 87 locomotives to the UK railway, 87001 was repainted in its original blue livery, and reunited with replica 'Stephenson' nameplates. Later that same year, in Newcastle, the Robert Stephenson plaque was added to commemorate his bicentenary.

87001 also carried the name 'Royal Scot' for much of its operational life and, in compliance with the Heritage Order on this nameplate; the locomotive also displays one of the original 'Royal Scot' nameplates and badges.