1Z87 - LR86 - 86259 & Les Ross out again this weekend 94 minutes late through Stafford

86259 out on the network again this weekend
Having seen owner Les (Ross) at Crewe with 86259, he's subsequently given me permission to share the below history on 86259 from the facts factsheet he gives to enthusiasts:
History of 86259
86259 was one of a hundred Class 86s built at BR Doncaster in late 1965, originally classed as AL6 before BR's TOPs Class and numbering system came along, pre TOPS, 86259 was E3137. Post TOPs, 86259 was originally 86045 but was reclassified as 86259, in May 1975, having received flexicoil suspension and raised gear ratios. Around the sane time, 86259 was painted into BR Blue.
October 1979, while allocated to Willesden depot, in a ceremony at London Euston Station, 86259 was named Peter Pan, in what was the International Year of the child.
Mid to late 1980s, the loco operated on the Great Eastern and on 11th April 1985, 86259 became the first electric locomotive to reach Ipswich and operated between London and East Anglia on the GEML wearing several different Inter City liveries.
In 1991 86259 left Willesden and was allocated to Manchester Longsight where it worked Cross Country services and in 1995, the loco was named Greater Manchester- the life and soul of Britain.
1998, three years after privatisation, 86259 returned to Willesden to operate Virgin West Coast services and subsequently reliveried into Virgin Red in 1999.
27th September 2002, the loco was named Les Ross after the former West Midlands broadcaster and Rail enthusiast, who now owns it.
A year later, 86259 was withdrawn from service after sixteen months in store was moved to Tyseley Loco Works where it was restored and repainted into the electric blue livery.
2008 .. 86259 began it's new life in preservation, working for Vintage trains fro. Birmingham, operated by the West Coast Railway Company, adding a little more to the 5.75 million miles already on the clock.
March 2nd 2019 .. 86259 marked 50,000 miles in preservation.
• 5Z87 - WCRC57s - Bodys...
Thank you Les Ross ... for your time, enthiuasm and keeping 86259 going in uncertain times for classic electric traction ..