86101's bodywork looks like she's just spent several years parked in a field - which she has! The pantograph gets checked over at Barrow Hill.

What a difference a few months work makes! With final livery in place, nameplates and decals have been added.

What does 86101 have that other 86s don't? One difference is the Weak Field Equipment case, seen here undergoing cleaning and checking at Barrow Hill.

En route from Barrow Hill to LNWR for testing, 86101 has arrived at Crewe.

Pan Up for the first time in the sidings at LNWR

86101 after arrival at Stafford on her first main line run in preservation

An anochronism adjacent to the West Coast Main Line - this yellow disc signal, controlled from Stafford No.4 signal box, controls the exit from the Down Sidings south of Stafford station. Seen from the cab of 86101 during the run-round on her first main line run in preservation

Prepared and ready to work to Carlisle, 86101 waits at LNWR Crewe.

86101 on arrival at Crewe having working her first Charter Train in preservation, the Carlisle to Crewe leg of Compass Railtour's Ynys Mon Express.

Pausing in Abington loop, 86101 is working from Crewe to Doncaster via Edinburgh.

On the Down Arrival Line at Eastfield, north of Peterborough, working a test train from Bounds Green. The train was diverted into the yard to examine a wheel flat on one of the Mk.3 coaches. Note the semaphore signal.

On the Down Arrival Line at Eastfield signal box, north of Peterborough, working a test train from Bounds Green. The train was diverted into the yard to examine a wheel flat on one of the Mk.3 coaches. Eastfield is a small island of semaphore signalling adjacent to one of the UK's principal electrified main lines.

86101 is signalled forward onto the Down Departure Line at Eastfield, just north of Peterborough. This is one of very few places in the UK where an AC Electric train can be controlled by a semaphore signal.

At Kings Cross ready to work the 09:34 Hull Trains service as far as Doncaster.

DVT 82115 at the head of the 09:34 to Doncaster.

A few minutes spare time at Grantham.

Arrival at Doncaster alongside the class 222 working forward to Hull.

Stabled in Doncaster West Yard until the evening return to Kings Cross.

86101 at Retford on 29 March 2008, working the 09:34 Hull Trains service from London Kings Cross to Doncaster.

After finishing work with Hull Trains, 86101 worked back from Bounds Green to Crewe on 27 April 2008. The train is seen here awaiting a path onto the West Coast Main Line at Primrose Hill.

16 July 2008 saw 87002's first main line run in preservation. 86101 was used for insurance and also for the necessary shunt move at Carstairs.

86101 passes Winwick hauling three Class 325 sets on the 1M44 Shieldmuir RMT to Dallam RMT GBRf working on 15 August 2008.