What is British Rail Class ES1?
{{Infobox Locomotive |name = North Eastern Railway Class ES1 |powertype = Electric |image = NorthEasternRailwayNo1-Locomotion-Shildon-April2008.JPG |caption = NER No.1, Locomotion museum, Shildon |fleetnumbers = NER: 1–2<br>LNER 1–2, later 6480–6481<br>BR: 26500–26501 |builder = [[British Thomson-Houston]], with help from [[Brush Traction|Brush]] |builddate = 1903-1904 (contract signed with builders on 15 December 1902) |totalproduction = 2 |gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|lk=on|al=on}} |tractionmotors = [[British Thomson-Houston]], 4 off |poweroutput = {{convert|640|hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} |electricsystem = 600–630 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] |collectionmethod = Third rail or [[pantograph (rail)|pantograph]] |whytetype = Bo+Bo |wheeldiameter = {{convert|3|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on}} |minimumcurve = |trainbrakes = |locobrakeforce = |wheelbase = {{convert|27|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on}} |length = {{convert|37|ft|11|in|m|3|abbr=on}} |width = |height = with pantograph lowered {{convert|12|ft|11|in|m|3|abbr=on}}; raised {{convert|15|ft|9|in|m|3|abbr=on}} |locoweight = 56 tons (51 tonnes) |maxspeed = {{convert|27|mph|abbr=on}} |tractiveeffort = {{convert|25000|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} |trainheating = None |multipleworking = |axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 2 |operator = [[North Eastern Railway]]<br>[[London and North Eastern Railway]]<br>[[British Railways]] |firstrundate = 1905 |retiredate = 1964 |disposition = No.1 preserved, No.2 scrapped in 1966 }} The '''British Rail Class ES1''' was a class of two [[electric locomotive]]s commissioned by the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]] in 1902. They were of [[steeplecab]] design. == History == There was a short railway from Trafalgar Yard in Manors East to Newcastle Quayside that was opened in 1870. Shaped like a horseshoe, it had tight corners, small tunnels and steep slopes. As [[steam locomotive]]s and their crews found it hard, the NER wanted this railway electrified.{{sfn|Glover|2003|page=11}}{{sfn|Waller|2008|page=40}} Thus, on 5 June