Hornby R30426 Network South East – Class 87 – ‘The Olympian’ 87012 Dcc Ready 21 Pin Socket (OO Gauge) Free Postage

This Class 87 No. 87012 ‘The Olympian’ is finished in its distinctive Network SouthEast livery as carried during its final years of mainline service.

The locomotive is DCC ready with a 21-pin decoder socket, allowing for digital upgrade. Equipped with sprung metal buffers and NEM tension lock couplings it offers both enhanced detail and reliable performance.

History

British Rail Engineering at Crewe turned out 36 of these 25kV 5,000hp locomotives between 1973 and 1975. Based on its Class 86 predecessor, the new design set out to achieve a higher-performance machine for front-line express work on the West Coast Main Line, capable of operating continuously at speeds of up to 110mph. 

Entering service in January 1974, 87012 was named ‘Coeur de Lion’ in May 1978. For its last two years of service it was named ‘The Olympian’ and painted in a version of Network SouthEast livery with branding to promote the London Olympics bid for 2012, but was withdrawn in 2006. 

It then became one of two locomotives exported to Bulgaria in 2007 for trials which, following successful completion, resulted in all remaining operational members of the fleet following them into freight service there. It is still operated by BZK in Bulgaria.