British Rail Class 44

Derby Type 4 British Rail Class 44
Preserved Class 44 number D8 at Darley Dale, on Peak Rail
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	British Railways’ Derby Works
Build date	1959–1960
Total produced	10
Configuration	1Co-Co1
UIC classification	(1Co)'(Co1)'
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard gauge
Wheel diameter	3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve	5 chains (100 m)
Wheelbase	59 ft 8 in (18.19 m)
Length	67 ft 11 in (20.70 m)
Width	8 ft 10 1⁄2 in (2.71 m)
Height	12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Locomotive weight	133 long tons (135 t)
Fuel capacity	840 imp gal (3,800 l; 1,010 US gal)
Prime mover	Sulzer 12LDA28-A
Multiple working	★ Blue Star
Top speed	75 mph (121 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 2,300 bhp (1,715 kW) At rail: 1,800 hp (1,342 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 50,000 lbf (222 kN)
Train heating	Steam
Locomotive brakeforce	63 LTf (628 kN)
Train brakes	Vacuum
Career	British Railways
Number	D1–D10; later 44001–44010
Nicknames	‘Peak’
Axle load class	Route availability 7

The British Rail Class 44 or Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Railways' Derby Works between 1959 to 1960. They were named after British mountains, and consequently nicknamed Peaks.

Overview

In part inspired by LMS prototypes 10000 and 10001, and by Southern Railway 10201-10203, the Class 44 diesels were some of the first big diesels commissioned for the British Rail modernisation project and were the precursors to the Class 45 and Class 46 locomotives of similar design.

Train heating

When initially put into service the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam heating boilers for passenger service. They worked regularly over the West Coast Main Line for a couple of years, also between St.Pancras and Manchester.

Freight service

Once the Class 45 units were available the steam heating boilers were removed and the Class 44 locomotives were assigned to freight duties, largely in the East Midlands where they were all based at Toton, where they stayed until 1980.

In fiction

One Class 44 appeared in Rev. W. Awdry's book Enterprising Engines, as Diesel 199, or Spamcan.

Fleet details

Numbers		Name	Withdrawn	Disposal details
Pre-TOPS	TOPS
D1	44001	Scafell Pike	10/1976	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (02/1977)
D2	44002	Helvellyn	02/1979	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (10/1979)
D3	44003	Skiddaw	07/1976	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (08/1976)
D4	44004	Great Gable	11/1980	Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley
D5	44005	Cross Fell	04/1978	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (11/1978)
D6	44006	Whernside	01/1977	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (02/1978)
D7	44007	Ingleborough	11/1980	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (11/1981)
D8	44008	Penyghent	11/1980	Preserved at Peak Rail Matlock Derbyshire
D9	44009	Snowdon	03/1979	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1980)
D10	44010	Tryfan	05/1977	Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1978)

Preservation

Two locomotives have survived to preservation.

Number(s) (Current in bold)		Name	Livery	Location	Image
D4	44004	Great Gable	BR Green	Midland Railway - Butterley
D8	44008	Penyghent	BR Green	Peak Rail

Further reading

• Harris, Roger (1985). The Allocation History of BR Diesels and Electrics. (2nd ed.). Bromsgrove: Roger Harris. 
• McManus, Michael. Ultimate Allocations, British Railways Locomotives 1948 - 1968. Wirral. Michael McManus.