Bulgarian 87s

22nd April 2008 to 16th September 2009

Most of the remaining Class 87s have been sold to a private freight operator in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Railway Company. They are being prepared (and repaired) at Long Marston.

On 22 April 2008 the first three - 007, 008 and 026 - were moved to LNWR Crewe for electrical testing.

Another batch of three - 004, 013 and 014 - moved to Crewe for testing on 16 September 2009. 86401 came with them, and later moved on to Willesden.

For photographs of the Class 87s in Bulgaria please see here.

First GBRf 66723 leads the convoy into Crewe. 2008-04-22 19:13:35	87008-9 and 87007-1 have had BRC branding applied over their short-lived former livery. 2008-04-22 19:18:40	87026-1 has had the full BRC livery applied. Note: no yellow end! 2008-04-22 19:23:01	Another view of the three 87s at Crewe, pictured whilst 66723 was running round the train. 2008-04-22 19:24:01
A 57 prepares to back onto a Holyhead-bound Pendolino whilst 87026-1 waits at Crewe. 2008-04-22 19:24:23	66723 hauls the 87s towards Crewe LNWR. 2008-04-22 19:35:42	By special request, because of its association with Royal Train duties, 87004-8 has been painted in Rail Blue and fitted with "Britannia" namplates. 2009-09-16 16:21:13	87013-9 is in the standard Bulgarian Railway Company livery. 2009-09-16 16:21:38
87014-7 is in the standard Bulgarian Railway Company livery. This view also shows 86401, and Colas Rail's 56311 about to haul the train into LNWR Crewe. 2009-09-16 16:22:14