Class 47, Class 55 "Deltic", Class 45 "Peak", and Class 52 " Warship" diesel locomotives at Eastleigh centenary
Class 47, Class 55 "Deltic", Class 45 "Peak", and Class 52 " Warship" diesel locomotives at Eastleigh centenary Class 45 'Peak - 'introduced 1960 withdrawn 1989 - Allocated to LMR Also known as a 'Peak'. This was the first production run of the Peaks. Using a slightly improved Sulzer engine and better equipment the top speed was raised to 90mph. Fitted with steam heating the locomotives worked passenger services on the long distance Edinburgh to Penzance trains route as well as on St Pancras services. The Class 45 was a successful mixed traffic type seen in most locations. On goods duties they were used for heavy trains on the Midland and North East/South West trunk routes. They regularly hauled the chocolate and cream painted BR main line trains originating in the Western Region. The class 45' survived until 1988 although most of them had gone by 1984. Class 52 'Western' introduced 1961 withdrawn 1977 - Allocated to WR Perhaps the last piece of Western Region independence and tradition were the Class 52 "Western" locomotives of the D1000 class. Painted in maroon livery (following trials with 'sand', maroon and un-lined green) these were powerful Co-Co's, introduced to supply more power than the Warships could provide for express passenger trains. Using voith hydraulic transmission and two updated Maybach engines similar to the Warships the locomotives were heavier and thus C-C wheel arrangement. The first Westerns entered service at the end of 1961. Class 55 Deltic introduced 1961 withdrawn by 1982 - Allocated to ER, ScR British Rail needed powerful locomotives for the east coast main line which at the time was diesel powered and thought likely to remain so. In order to get the needed power in an acceptable size English Electric used an engine design by their Napier subsidiary originally intended for power boats. A prototype "Deltic" or "DP1" was produced in 1954 and delivered a staggering 3,300hp, well above any comparable locomotive.
Size: 5128px × 3388px
Location: Eastleigh, Hampshire
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 45, 47, 52, 55, british, centenary, class, deltic, diesel, eastleigh, locomotives, peak, train, warship
