Ex-Anglia Railways Class 86/2s in action.

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IT’S SIX MINUTES to eight on the morning of April 25th, 2004, and ‘One’ Railways’ Class 86/2 No. 86230 is slowing for the station stop at Ipswich, Suffolk, with the 07.00 Norwich-London Liverpool Street. The National Express-owned ‘One’ operation had taken over from GB’s Anglia Railways operation less than a month before and the locomotive and train still wear their attractive turquoise and white paint scheme. This ac electric was completed as E3168 by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, in April 1965.

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A useful overhead view of BR Doncaster-built Class 86/2 No. 86242 Colchester Castle as it propels a Norwich-bound ‘One’ Railways service through Trowse, just south of the Norfolk capital, on April 30th, 2004. Like many long-lived locomotives (this one was nearing its 40th birthday), it has seen much modification over the years, including multiple working, roof details and pantograph, suspension, underframe equipment and even an extra set of door handles!