BL1, BL2 and BL3
BL1, BL2 and BL3 (numbered 97901[1], 97902[2] and 97903[3] respectively[4] in TOPS) are three 0-4-0 battery-electric/wire-electric locomotives manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1988[1][2][3]. They were purchased as new by Nexus, who own them to this day, for non-passenger use on the Metro network.
They each weigh 26.25 tonnes (tare), have a maximum permitted speed of 50 km/h, and measure to 7.5m×2.6m×3.6m (including the buffers and the lowered pantograph)[5][6]. They use Westcode electro-pneumatic brakes, single pipe automatic air brakes, and pneumatic parking brakes to clamp disc brakes. They are fitted with both screw couplers and BSI automatic couplers. They use a 270-cell, 540V, 216Ah lead acid battery, as well as a 110V, 28Ah lead acid auxiliary battery. They use a traction motor rated at 180 HP and 830 r/min. They use compressors which supply air at 10 bar and 32cfm to two reservoirs holding 2.4cf of air each.[6]
They have a single cab, positioned on the 'B' end of each locomotive. The cab contains a swivel chair and two desks to allow for driving in either direction.[6]
Any number (one, two or three) of BLs can be used together in a train, either coupled together or top-and-tailing, with a trailing load of 85 tonnes permitted per BL, allowing for a trailing load of up to 255 tonnes when all three BLs are used. A BL can haul a coupled metrocar and be driven either from the BL or the metrocar. A metrocar can also haul a coupled BL, but it must be driven from the metrocar because driving the BL in this configuration puts too much strain on the auxiliary battery.[6]
The BLs have historically been used for a variety of purposes, including depot shunting, rescuing failed metrocars, and providing traction to unpowered vehicles such as wagons (including the Rail Head Treatment Train[7]). However, BL2[7] and BL3 are now believed to be fully withdrawn, and BL1 sees very little use outside of Gosforth Depot, with the last two known uses outside of the depot being driver training and over 5 months apart (13 August 2025 and 26 January 2026)[8]. Traction outside of the depot, including for rescues and wagons, is now typically only provided by the passenger stock (metrocars and Class 555 units[a]) and MA60.
BL3 features a plaque on its exterior reading
Lewis Potts Metro Engineer from 1975 to 2016
Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Class 555 units are not known to have provided traction to unpowered units except for other Class 555 units, partly due to using a coupling system that is not directly compatible to the other stock.
Sources
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 UK Preserved Rolling Stocklist, "Record No: 9053" (accessed 22 January 2026)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 UK Preserved Rolling Stocklist, "Record No: 9054" (accessed 22 January 2026)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 UK Preserved Rolling Stocklist, "Record No: 9055" (accessed 22 January 2026)
- ↑ SpotLog, "Nexus, Northumberland" (archived)
- ↑ Nexus (4 July 2016). "Metro Train Specifications - a Freedom of Information request to Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive" (archived), WhatDoTheyKnow
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Daglish, Paul (8 March 2012). Battery Locomotive Training: Guidelines, Information & Instructions (Booklet). Operations: Training & Assessment (ONE ed.) DB Regio Tyne and Wear - via Freedom of Information request to Nexus.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Prior, Gareth (19 May 2023). "Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro BL2 on the rail head treatment train" (archived)
- ↑ Based on sightings logged in the Metrowatch Discord server. Full database download here.
