Tri-ang Class EM2

Following my recent entry on the Tri-ang TC Electrics, we have here three of their other electric locomotives, namely their ever-popular Class EM2 Co-Cos, aka Class 77.

In the photograph, above, we see the first two of them at Davemoor behind Class 53 Nº 1200 'Falcon' as they are about to be led away for storage.

Immediately behind 'Falcon' is 27000 'Electra' in BR Green livery and she has clearly been fitted with replacement pantographs since, doubtless, the original ones had been damaged,; something that is not uncommon with these locos, given their age.

The Catalogue Nº is R351 and she dates from between 1961 and 1965.

Behind 'Electra', we see the other two EM2's, both in BR Blue livery, with the first of these being 26006 'Pandora'.

The Catalogue Nº is R388 and she dates from between 1969 and 1970. Actually this loco came with a choice of three names & numbers: 27000 'Electra', 27002 'Aurora' and 27006 'Pandora.

Bringing up the rear is, indeed, 'Aurora' albeit she is incorrectly numbered as 27006 rather than 27002. Presumably this will be corrected in due course.

These 1.5kV DC electric locomotives, like the Class 28, were built by Metropolitan Vickers between 1953 and 1954 specifically for use on the Woodhead Route between Manchester and Sheffield.

Originally the plan was to build 27 of these locomotives, however, once the benefits of using the 25kV AC system was realized, the order was reduced to just seven with all seven being given names from Greek Mythology.

The entire class was withdrawn in September 1968 with Class 76 electrics continuing to operate passenger services until this ended in January 1970 with the Woodhead route itself closing as a through route in July 1981.

Happily three members of the class have survived into preservation:

27000 'Electra' at the Midland Railway in Butterley.
27001 'Ariadne' at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
27003 'Diana' at the Utrecht Railway Museum in the Netherleands..