What is British Rail Class 76?
{{Infobox Locomotive |name = British Rail Class 76 |powertype = Electric |image = Dinting Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 2095338.jpg |caption = Two Class 76s hauling a coal train |builder = [[LNER]] [[Doncaster Works]] (prototype)<br>BR [[Gorton locomotive works|Gorton Works]] |builddate = 1941 (prototype), 1950–1953 |totalproduction = 58 |wheeldiameter = {{convert|4|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}} |tractionmotors = 4 x [[Metropolitan Vickers]] Type 186 |electricsystem = 1500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] |collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]] |whytetype = Bo+Bo |trainbrakes = Vacuum, some later Dual |locobrakeforce = {{convert|72|LTf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=in}} |length = {{convert|50|ft|4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |width = |height = |locoweight = {{convert|87.90|LT|sigfig=3}} |maxspeed = {{convert|65|mph|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} |poweroutput = ''Continuous:'' {{convert|1300|hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}<br>''One-hour:'' {{convert|1868|hp|0|abbr=on}} |tractiveeffort = {{convert|45000|lbf|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}} |trainheating = [[Steam generator]] (14 locomotives) |operator = [[British Railways]] |fleetnumbers = 26000–26055; later E26000–26057; later 76001–76057 |axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 8 (LNER: 9) |locale = Manchester-Sheffield-Wath line |retiredate = 1970–1981 |disposition = }} The [[British Rail]] '''Class 76''', also known as '''Class EM1''', is a class of 1.5 kV DC, [[Bo-Bo]] [[electric locomotive]]. These were designed for use on the now-closed {{ill|Woodhead Line|en}} in Northern England. The prototype was built in 1941, but the other 57 were built in the early 1950s. They served the Woodhead Line until its closure in 1981. Only one complete locomotive has been preserved. == Background == The Railways Agreement Act of 1936 allowed some [[railway electrification]] projects to start. The [[London and North Eastern Railway]] therefore started a plan to put wires over the Woodhead Line from [[Manchester]] to [[Sheffield]]. This particular railway saw lots of freight trains that had to go over steep terrain