British Rail Class 44
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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.
[edit] Description
In part inspired by LMS prototypes 10000 and 10001 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 modelled on this design. 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 WCML for a couple of years, also between St.Pancras and Manchester. Once the Class 45 units were available with their higher running speed 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.
[edit] Fleet Details
| BR Class 44 | ||
|---|---|---|
| TOPS numbers | 44001-44010 | |
| Early numbers | D1-10 | |
| Builder | British Rail Derby | |
| Introduced | 1959–1960 | |
| Wheel Arrangement | 1Co-Co1 | |
| Weight | 133 t | tonnes |
| Height | 12ft 10.13 in | 3.9m |
| Width | 8ft 10.62 in | 2.7m |
| Length | 67ft 11in | 20.7m |
| Wheel Dia. | 3ft 9in | 1143 mm |
| Wheel Base | 59ft 8in | 18.2 m |
| Minimum radius | 5 (later 3) chains | m |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph | km/h |
| Engine | Sulzer 12LDA28-A 12-cyl | |
| Engine output | 2,300 hp | 1,715 kW |
| Max. Tractive Effort | 50,000 lbf | 222 kN |
| Power at Rail | 1,800hp | 1,342kW |
| Brake type | Vacuum | |
| Brake force | 63 tons force | kN |
| Route availability | 7 | |
| Fuel Tank | 840 imperial gallons | litres |
| Heating type | Steam Removed early on |
|
| Multiple working | Blue Star Removed early on |
|
| Numbers | Name | Withdrawn | Disposal details | |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 |
| 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 |
| D9 | 44009 | Snowdon | 03/1979 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1980) |
| D10 | 44010 | Tryfan | 05/1977 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1978) |
[edit] Preservation
Two locomotives have survived to preservation.
| Number(s) (Current in bold) |
Name | Livery | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D4 | 44004 | Great Gable | BR Blue | Midland Railway Butterley |
| D8 | 44008 | Penyghent | BR Green | Peak Rail |
