class to operate the full length of the West Coast Main Line. The last three in service (83009, 83012 and 83015) were retained for use on empty coaching stock workings from London Euston Station to Willesden. 83009 had previously been used at Longsight in Manchester, to convert the 25 kV AC supply to 1500 V DC, to allow testing of the Class 506 units following the closure of Reddish Depot. Withdrawal Two engines were withdrawn early as a result of accidents. The first was 83003, withdrawn in May 1975, which was severely damaged in an accident on 23 January 1975 at Watford with a Class 86 (86209). The second engine was 83004 which, on 24 December 1977, was severely damaged in a collision with a Class 47 at Willesden. In 1983, ten of the remaining thirteen engines were withdrawn, all being sent to the Vic Berry Scrapyard in Leicester. The final three were withdrawn in 1989, with two of the three being scrapped at MC Metals of Glasgow in 1993. Power supply The locomotives always worked on power provided by overhead catenary energised at 25,000 V AC. However, the main transformer, normally operated with the four windings in series, could be operated at 6250 V AC with the transformer windings in parallel. This voltage was initially to be used where limited clearances gave concern over use of the higher voltage. Since the clearances were found to be adequate, the lower voltage connections were locked out of use. Preservation One locomotive has been preserved by the AC Locomotive Group. 83012 / E3035 - Barrow Hill Engine Shed The locomotive was originally preserved by Pete Waterman in 1992, and then purchased by the AC Locomotive Group in 1997. Fleet details References Sources Further reading External links AC Locomotive Group - Owners of preserved locomotive no. 83012 / E3035 83 English Electric locomotives Vulcan Foundry locomotives Bo-Bo locomotives 25 kV AC locomotives Railway locomotives introduced in 1960 Standard gauge locomotives of Great Britain