The Locomotives

N.E.R. Bo+Bo

Ironically, when the electrification of Woodhead was approved in 1936, it came just over a year after the former North Eastern electrified line, from Shildon to Newport, had closed. The ten locomotives built for this line that were introduced in 1915 had been placed in storage in Darlington works paint shop. Whilst they were already more than 20 years old, they did use 1500 volts d.c, as Woodhead was to do, and thought was given to converting them for use on the line. They were probably intended to be used as freight locomotives and bankers, with a new mixed traffic design being used for passenger work.

Locomotive number 11 (seen here near Aycliffe in May 1923) was selected as 'Guinea Pig' and sent to Doncaster for re-building. Officially completed in December 1942, cosmetic work included fitting one pantograph, additional sandboxes, relocating the cab door and the fitting of electric headlamps at each end. The locomotive would appear to have hung around the works until 1947 when it was transfered from Doncaster to join its sisters in store at South Gosforth car sheds as number 6498. On 25th August 1949 it was transfered to departmental stock and reallocated to Ilford car sheds - they obviously missed their EM1's, having had to send them back north! One year later, on 21st August 1950, all her sisters were withdrawn from stock and sold for scrap. This locomotive continued in service at Ilford until the change in voltage in 1960 when it too was stored prior to disposal for scrap in 1964. Technical Specifications