Some locos that still see main line use in 2008 first took to the rails in the late 1950s or early 1960s making them 40 to 50 years old. Quite remarkable considering they were designed in a very different era.
Well if any loco has survived against the odds in recent times it is 86501! The class were new in 1965 and have effectively out lived the later class 87s. This loco is unique being previously 86608 before being re-geared to handle liners single handedly. Despite a fire in 2004 and causing the occasional disruption due to failure since, Freightliner have stuck with 86501 which can be seen here running through Stratford on April 9th 2008. Pairs of class 86s are also still in daily use with Freightliner.
Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com
British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.