the class 89 is a prototype design for an electric locomotive. only one unit was built, no. 89001, which was officially named "avocet" by the then prime minister margaret thatcher on january 16 1989 at sandy, bedfordshire - the home of the royal society for the protection of birds (whose logo is an avocet). it was built in 1986, by brel at their crewe works, and was used on test-trains on both the west coast main line and east coast main line. it was fitted with advanced power control systems and develops over 6,000 bhp (4,500 kw). it was given the nickname "aardvark" although the railfans used to call it "the badger" owing to its sloping front ends.