Railway Herald
Stabled in Mossend Yard Lanarkshire on Saturday the 3rd June 1978 just 6 months away from withdrawl is pioneer Class 84 No. 84001. Built in nearby Glasgow by the North British Loco Company as AL4 No. E3036 she entered service from Longsight EMD Manchester during March 1960. The whole class of 10 locomotives were stored in Bury steam shed from 1967 until 1971 due to various reliability issues but were rebuilt and dual braked during 1972 as the extension of the WCML electrification from Crewe to Glasgow would require more AC locos. Renumbered as Class 84 No. 84001 she returned to service during 1972 remaining allocated to Longsight EMD. Still causing problems the whole class would be withdrawn before the end of 1980 with No. 84001, by then allocated to Crewe EMD, succumbing in January 1979. Unusually the withdrawn loco was then loaned to and displayed at the National Railway Museum in York for a period of 21 years after which she was bought for preservation and can currently be found displayed at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse near Chesterfield.
Bob Woolnough
