36 Class 87 locomotives were introduced from 1973 to work the newly electrified northern section of the West Coast Mainline to Glasgow. These locomotives were based on the successful Class 86 design, featuring a modernised design and capable of generating 5000HP. The final loco in the build was revised to test new thyristor controls and was numbered 87101.
With new Mark 3 coaches, the 87s became known as the Electric Scots and significantly reduced journey times between Euston and Glasgow.
The 87s provided front-line service with British Rail and latterly Virgin Trains until 2005, when replaced by Pendolino EMUs, with many locos transferring to other operators or being exported abroad.