Roarers - Classes 81 to 85
18th August 2006

Another set of classes that had they been around a bit longer, I might have done better in the haulage stakes. You will notice that 82s, 83s and 84s are entirely absent. And only pic of an AL1. The 85s remain the best electrics that ever was. Top bashes? 81009 (obviously) and 85101 from Stratford to Shoeburyness on the last tour.

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81009 is attached to the 1525 Aberystwyth - Euston holiday train at Wolverhampton on June 25th 1988.
81009 is attached to the 1525 Aberystwyth - Euston holiday train at Wolverhampton on June 25th 1988.
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85003 at Wolverhampton on 8th February 1986, having worked from Birmingham New Street with the 0734 Poole - Glasgow Central/Edinburgh Waverley.
85003 at Wolverhampton on 8th February 1986, having worked from Birmingham New Street with the 0734 Poole - Glasgow Central/Edinburgh Waverley.
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85007 at Wolverhampton on October 15th 1988 with the 0600 Paddington - Manchester Piccadilly.
85007 at Wolverhampton on October 15th 1988 with the 0600 Paddington - Manchester Piccadilly.
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85015 makes an additional stop at Rugby, following the failure of a preceeding train, on October 15th 1988 with the 1531 Shrewsbury - Euston.
85015 makes an additional stop at Rugby, following the failure of a preceeding train, on October 15th 1988 with the 1531 Shrewsbury - Euston.
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85022 leaves Rugby on October 15th 1988 with the 1340 Blackpool North - Euston.
85022 leaves Rugby on October 15th 1988 with the 1340 Blackpool North - Euston.
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85s survived long enough to work with DVTs on the West Coast Main Line, although they obviously couldn't work in push-pull mode with them. 85023 is seen at Birmingham International with the 1525 Wolverhampton - Euston on September 16th 1989.
85s survived long enough to work with DVTs on the West Coast Main Line, although they obviously couldn't work in push-pull mode with them. 85023 is seen at Birmingham International with the 1525 Wolverhampton - Euston on September 16th 1989.
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85024 arrives at Coventry on April 29th 1989 with the 1654 Wolverhampton - Euston. By this time, the Roarers did not really have any booked diagrams, and simply turned up as and when.
85024 arrives at Coventry on April 29th 1989 with the 1654 Wolverhampton - Euston. By this time, the Roarers did not really have any booked diagrams, and simply turned up as and when.
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85025 arrives at Preston on 1st March 1986 with the 0747 Cardiff Central - Glasgow Central/Edinburgh.
85025 arrives at Preston on 1st March 1986 with the 0747 Cardiff Central - Glasgow Central/Edinburgh.
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85029 rests at the blocks at Euston on January 30th 1988 after working from Carlisle with the 1055 from Stranraer Harbour.
85029 rests at the blocks at Euston on January 30th 1988 after working from Carlisle with the 1055 from Stranraer Harbour.
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85030 brings the ECS for the 1255 to Euston into Wolverhampton on 1st September 1990.
85030 brings the ECS for the 1255 to Euston into Wolverhampton on 1st September 1990.
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85036 arrives at Milton Keynes with the last ever 0608 Bolton - Poole, a service noteable for being the only Poole bound InterCity working not to run via Reading. October 1st 1988.
85036 arrives at Milton Keynes with the last ever 0608 Bolton - Poole, a service noteable for being the only Poole bound InterCity working not to run via Reading. October 1st 1988.
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85101 waits to depart Walton-On-Naze on June 30th 1991 with the
85101 waits to depart Walton-On-Naze on June 30th 1991 with the "Roarer Requirem".
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"The Roarer Requiem" was the last planned use of a class 85 on a passenger working, and 85105 was provided for the final leg onwards from Willesden. However, it wasn't the last 85 on a passenger working as a Roarer was used on a WCML rescue job a few days later. Watford Junction, June 30th 1991.
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One of the first (if not THE first) uses of an 85/1 on a passenger train, 85109 was in action on October 20th 1990 as part of a Network North West gala day. The Roarer waits to leave Altrincham with the 1116 to Crewe.
One of the first (if not THE first) uses of an 85/1 on a passenger train, 85109 was in action on October 20th 1990 as part of a Network North West gala day. The Roarer waits to leave Altrincham with the 1116 to Crewe.
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