British Railways DP1
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| English Electric DELTIC prototype | |
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| DP1 at Locomotion | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | English Electric at Dick, Kerr Works, Preston |
| Serial number | EE: 2003 |
| Build date | 1955 |
| UIC classification | Co'Co' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | 3 ft 7 in (1.09 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 106 long tons (108 t) |
| Prime mover | Napier Deltic D18-25 (2 off) |
| Traction motors | EE 526/A, 6 off |
| Cylinders | 18 × 2 |
| Transmission | Diesel Electric |
| Top speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) 106 mph (171 km/h) from 1956 |
| Power output | 3,300 hp (2,500 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 90 mph gearing: 60,000 lbf (266.89 kN) 106 mph gearing: 52,500 lbf (233.53 kN) |
| Train heating | Stone-Vapor/Clarkson steam generator |
| Career | British Railways |
| Power class | Type 5 |
| Number | DP1 |
| Official name | DELTIC |
| Retired | March 1961 |
| Disposition | to Science Museum, London, April 1963 |
DP1, known as Deltic from the name painted on the sides, is a prototype demonstrator locomotive employing a Deltic engine, built by English Electric in 1955. This locomotive resulted in 22 similar locomotives being ordered by British Railways, which became their Class 55.
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[edit] Construction
The English Electric company, which had absorbed the engine-maker Napier & Son into its vast empire at the instruction of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1942, was (among many interests) a major builder of diesel and electric locomotives. The two George Nelsons (Sir George, and his son, known in the works as "Half") saw the potential of Napier's Deltic engine for rail traction and in 1954-1955 built a demonstrator at its Dick, Kerr works in Preston. Officially numbered DP1 (Diesel Prototype number 1, although this was never borne on the locomotive),[1] it carried the word DELTIC in large cream letters on its powder-blue sides. Plans to name the locomotive "Enterprise" never came to fruition and it was to be known to all just as "Deltic".[2]
Long aluminium beadings on the sides were painted cream, a visual device to make the locomotive's high sides appear more slender and speedier; three curved chevrons in the same cream on the noses gave it the impression of speed. The locomotive's styling was reminiscent of American locomotives (partly because English Electric initially planned to offer the type for export) with high noses and small, somewhat swept-back cab windows set back behind them; to add to the American look of the locomotive to British eyes, a large headlight was to be fitted to each nose (these lights were never installed but would have been of the rotating 'Mars Light' type as fitted to North American locomotives of the era). Two 18-cylinder Deltic engines were fitted, derated from the 1,750 horsepower (1.3 MW) of the marine engines in minesweepers to 1,650 horsepower (1.2 MW) each, 3,300 horsepower (2.5 MW) total. This derating reduced the stress on the engines, thereby increasing the service life and length of time between overhauls.
[edit] Service with British Railways
The locomotive first saw service on the London Midland Region of British Railways but the intention soon became to electrify the major routes on that Region. It also underwent extensive testing on the Settle - Carlisle route in 1956[3] with test trains, two mobile testing units and a dynamometer car, and the results of this are contained in British Transport Commission Test Bulletin No.19. On the Eastern Region, however, no diesel replacement of conventional design seemed to be available for Gresley's swift and powerful Pacifics, particularly the A4. Only the Deltic appeared to offer the power and speed required within the constraints of a sensible 20-ton axle load, and it was soon running on that Region.
[edit] Preservation
In March 1961 "DELTIC" was withdrawn after a serious powerplant failure[4]; by that time the production Class 55 locomotives were coming into service. Plans to test it in Canada fell through[4] and the locomotive was donated to the Science Museum, London. It is now in the National Railway Museum site Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham, England.
[edit] Models
The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for 00 gauge. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) to Airfix, who did not release model kits of this locomotive. In time, the Airfix tools passed on to Dapol who rediscovered the moulding tools and have since produced the model kit. [5]
Bachmann collaborated with the National Railway Museum in 2008 to produce a limited-edition model of the DP1, exclusively for the NRM Shop. Bachmann representatives used laser-scanning technology to create a highly-detailed and accurate model in OO-scale. The model was produced in so limited numbers, and was so successful, that stores of the model were quickly sold out and locomotives were subsequently sold online for elevated prices. The model was praised for its attention to fine detail (such as legible builders' plates) and smooth yet powerful running. An N-scale model was subsequently released in 2010 for the public under the Graham Farish name.
LH Loveless released an O gauge model in 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ Marsden, Colin J. (November 1984). BR Locomotive Numbering. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 18. ISBN 0 7110 1445 0. EX/1184.
- ^ Webb, Brian (1982). The Deltic Locomotives of British Rail. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 5. ISBN 0-7153-8110-5.
- ^ Webb, 1982, p. 8
- ^ a b Webb, 1982, p. 11
- ^ Knight, Stephen (1999). Let's Stick Together: An Appreciation of Kitmaster and Airfix Railway Kits. Clopthill: Irwell Press. pp. 7,9,41,46,66. ISBN 1 871608 90 2.
[edit] External links
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