Bulgaria - Class 87s exported from UK

The British Rail-built Class 87 locomotives were withdrawn from service in the UK in the early 2000s when the Pendolino fleet of high speed trains was delivered.

Following trials with 87012 and 87019, most of the remaining locos have been for use in Bulgaria by the open-access freight operator Bulgarian Railway Company (BRC).

The locomotives are being prepared for export from the UK by Electric Traction Services Ltd at Long Marston. At the moment they are then being moved by rail to Crewe LNWR (for some photos see here) for high voltage testing before being moved overseas. Finally they receive the final batch of modifications (snowploughs, horns, headlights, cab modifications and other necessary Bulgarian safety equipment) at the Koncar works at Podujane near Sofia.

October 2008

Thanks to Electric Traction Services Ltd and BRC for the arrangements made for the visit to the works at Podujane in October 2008.

Many more photos of my October 2008 visit to Bulgaria are available here. These include some shots of 87019 working a railtour.

October 2009

A year later, a visit was made to Pirdop where the 87s are based. 87022 was parked in the station then 87003 & 87010 arrived on a freight train. Later the same week 87007 and 87003 were seen arriving at Karlovo, with 87019 bringing up the rear. Finally a further visit was made to Koncar works where new arrivals 87020 and 87033 were being prepared for traffic.

More photos of my October 2009 visit to Bulgaria are available here. These include some shots of 87012 working a railtour.

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One of the trial locomotives, 87019-6 stands in the yard at Podujane. Two days later this locomotive worked the first Class 87 railtour since the last few 87s were withdrawn from service in the UK in 2007.
One of the trial locomotives, 87019-6 stands in the yard at Podujane. Two days later this locomotive worked the first Class 87 railtour since the last few 87s were withdrawn from service in the UK in 2007.
2008-10-03 07:05:22
 The driving desk of 87008-9 shows that a few modifications have been made.
The driving desk of 87008-9 shows that a few modifications have been made.
2008-10-03 07:25:07
 87008-9 stands outside the Koncar workshops in Podujane near Sofia.
87008-9 stands outside the Koncar workshops in Podujane near Sofia.
2008-10-03 07:35:47
 87007-1 being worked on in the Koncar workshops in Podujane near Sofia.
87007-1 being worked on in the Koncar workshops in Podujane near Sofia.
2008-10-03 08:03:23
87022-0 stands between duties at Pirdop station on 3rd October 2009.
87022-0 stands between duties at Pirdop station on 3rd October 2009.
2008-10-03 11:06:00
 87003-0 and 87010-5 arrive at Pirdop on 3rd October 2009 on a freight from Ruse.
87003-0 and 87010-5 arrive at Pirdop on 3rd October 2009 on a freight from Ruse.
2008-10-03 11:18:00
 87003-0 has joined 87022-0 in the siding at Pirdop to await their next working.
87003-0 has joined 87022-0 in the siding at Pirdop to await their next working.
2009-10-03 11:52:07
 87007-1 and 87003-0 arrive at Karlovo at the head of a freight train. 87019-6 was providing assistance at the rear.
87007-1 and 87003-0 arrive at Karlovo at the head of a freight train. 87019-6 was providing assistance at the rear.
2009-10-06 14:18:39
87019-6 bring up the rear on arriving at Karlovo.
87019-6 bring up the rear on arriving at Karlovo.
2009-10-06 14:19:57
 87007-1 was detached at Karlovo leaving 87003-0 to continue alone towards Pirdop.
87007-1 was detached at Karlovo leaving 87003-0 to continue alone towards Pirdop.
2009-10-06 14:25:26
 87019-6 and 87007-1 (presumably, not confirmed) at Koncar works.
87019-6 and 87007-1 (presumably, not confirmed) at Koncar works.
2009-10-10 08:35:54
 Recent arrival from the UK, 87033-7 receives its finishing touches in Koncar works.
Recent arrival from the UK, 87033-7 receives its finishing touches in Koncar works.
2009-10-10 08:42:58
87020-4 is nearly ready to leave the Koncar works.
87020-4 is nearly ready to leave the Koncar works.
2009-10-10 08:49:50
 87020-4 (and 87033-7) have been modified with these new panels for easier access to the rear of the main transformer.
87020-4 (and 87033-7) have been modified with these new panels for easier access to the rear of the main transformer.
2009-10-10 08:53:17
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