British Rail Class EB1

British Rail Class EB1
Power type	Electric
Builder	North Eastern Railway
Build date	1914
Total produced	1
AAR wheel arr.	Bo-Bo
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Electric system	1500V DC
Current collection method	Pantograph
Traction motors	4x275 hp (205 kW), Siemens
Power output	1,100 hp (820 kW) No. 11 after 1942: 1,256 hp (937 kW)
Career	North Eastern Railway LNER British Railways
Class	LNER & BR: EB1
Number in class	1
Number	NER: 11 LNER: 6498 BR: 26510
Retired	April 1964

The British Rail Class EB1 (Electric Banking 1) was an electrically powered locomotive used by British Rail in England. It was used during the pre-TOPS period. The other NER electric locos built at the same time were classified as EB1 but were never modified, they later became British Rail Class EF1.

These locomotives were built by the NER to haul coal trains from the mines at Shildon to the docks at Middlesbrough. During the 1920s the coal traffic declined and some of the locomotives became surplus to requirements. In 1928 a plan was devised to convert one of them to a Diesel-electric, using a 1,000 hp Beardmore diesel engine driving an English Electric generator. This plan did not come to fruition.

Electric traction on the Shildon line was discontinued in 1935 but the locomotives were retained for possible future use. Number 11 (later BR 26510) was rebuilt in 1942 for use on the Manchester-Sheffield line. Horsepower was increased from 1,100 to 1,256 and the twin pantographs were replaced by a single central one.

In common with other LNER electric locomotives, no classification was given to the locomotive until 4 October 1945, when nos. 3-12 were all classified EB1 (Electric Banking 1). It was expected that all the locomotives would be similarly modified but this did not happen. In 1949, number 26510 was moved to Ilford Depot (Eastern Region) for use as a shunter, but the others were reclassified EF1 (Electric Freight 1). Number 26510 was transferred to departmental stock (as DS100) in January 1959 and withdrawn in April 1964.

References

• Boddy, M.G.; Fry, E.V.; Hennigan, W.; Hoole, Ken; Mallaband, P.; Neve, E.; Price, J.H.; Proud, P. et al (April 1990). Fry, E.V.. ed. Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 10B: Railcars and Electric Stock. Lincoln: RCTS. ISBN 0 901115 66 5. 
• Hoole, K. (1988). The Electric Locomotives of the North Eastern Railway. Locomotion Papers. Headington: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-367-2. LP167. 
• The NER Electric Bo-Bo Class EF1 & EB1 Locomotives