Introduction

In considering the British traction scene and the comments below bear in mind that from about 1990 onwards with initially sectorisation of British Rail and later the privatisation of the network there was a big push away from traditional operating methods and locomotive haulage was all but phased out in favour of operation by multiple units, HST's or "push-pull" formations with an electric loco at one end of the train and a driving trailer at the other. Very few diesel locomotive hauled passenger services now remain in the UK so there is a golden opportunity for Auran to recreate the halcyon days of the 1970's and 1980's before the big changes.

Class 26

   Photo by Steve Jones © copyright   Steve Jones' Railway Photos

Type 2 Sulzer Engine 1160 HP. Bo-Bo wheel formation. Max speed 80 MPH. Introduced in 1960 and class totalled some 30 members but all now withdrawn. Originally saw use in the London area but in early 60's transferred en masse to Scotland to displace steam from the Highland lines. The quintessential image of a Scottish Highland train in the 1960's/1970's was a Class 26 (or pair) hauling a rake of Mark One steam heated coaches. By the early 1980's were gradually displaced by the use of Class 37 locomotives but continued to see occasional use on loco hauled services in the Edinburgh area and on freight. My personal favourite loco of all time!!

The slightly more powerful (1250HP - 90MPH) and restyled Class 27's were mainly used on the West Highland lines from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

CLASS 37

   Photo by Vern Moorhouse © copyright   Trainsim UK

Type 3 - English Electric 1750 HP 90 MPH Co-Co. Spec has varied over the years as various members of the class have been re-built into different sub classes. Original build between 1960 and 1965. Class totals nearly 400 members. Classic mixed traction locomotive working freight and secondary passenger services around the network. From the early 1980's this Class displaced the Type 2's off the remote Scottish lines, in an effort to accelerate the services and 31 of the Class were converted to provide ETS (for electric train heating) to eliminate the need for a "fireman" to tend the steam heating boiler.

This is one of the few locomotive classes still in use hauling passenger trains on the British network. while the Scottish lines have long been turned over to "Sprinter" diesel unit operation a small number of loco hauled services is operated by North Western Trains from Crewe and Manchester to Holyhead, although it is likely these too will secede to yet another new fleet of multiple units about to be delivered.

A very popular and versatile locomotive and should be a strong contender for any portfolio representing classic British traction.

see class 37

   Photo by Steve Jones © copyright   Steve Jones' Railway Photos

Type 4 - Brush/Sulzer 2750 design (later de-rated to 2580 HP). Co-Co wheelbase, maximum speed 95 MPH. Maybe not a classic in the true sense of the word but for many years the most common diesel loco type on the UK system. Built 1962 - 1965 and many still in service today, though only a small number still haul passenger trains and use on freight/mail services is being phased out as the companies complete the introduction of Class 66 and Class 67's.

   Photo by Steve Jones © copyright   Steve Jones' Railway Photos

English Electric Type 4 - 2700 HP, 100 MPH Co-Co. 50 in Class, all named. Introduced in 1967 and initially saw service on the West Coast Main Line hauling passenger services over the non electrified portion of the route north of Crewe, often in pairs. With completion of the electrification to Glasgow in 1974 the Class was transferred to the Western Region, displacing the non standard diesel hydraulics and working front line expresses until the introduction of the HST's in the late 1970's. Remaining on the Western, the locos were then relegated to secondary duties hauling the less prestigious expresses and outer suburban commuter trains until withdrawal in 1992.

Elegant styling, powerful and a beautiful engine sound make the Class 50 a classic machine which must be considered a vital candidate for inclusion in the British locomotive package.

A sound sample can be downloaded from Mike Wright's "Roaring Forties" web site.

   Photo by Paul Bettany © copyright   the Definitive Deltic Library

English Electric/Napier Type 5 Co - Co with 2 engines giving total of 3300HP. These racehorses worked the crack trains on the East Coast Main line from Kings Cross to Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland until the HST's took over. For a while after they were used on secondary services but high running costs, non standard components and deteriorating bodywork resulted in early withdrawal.

   Photo by Vern Moorhouse © copyright   Trainsim UK

HST - Inter City 125

Class 43 Power Cars, introduced 1976 - 1982. Bo Bo with Paxman Valenta diesel engine giving 2250 HP per unit (so a HST formation has 4500 HP available). Max speed 125 MPH.

The debate still rages over whether the HST should be regarded as a diesel multiple unit or locomotive hauled train but there is no doubt the sight and sound of a Class 43 power car on either end of a rake of 7 or 8 Mark III coaches is a powerful symbol of the British passenger railway over the last 20 years. Most of the principal Inter City services which are not electrified are operated by HST's.

see class 43

Written by Vern Moorhouse
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