British Rail DP2
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DP2, meaning Diesel Prototype number 2, was a prototype Type 4 mainline diesel locomotive built in 1962 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. Externally, it looked like a Class 55 locomotive as it used the same bodyshell, but inside it was quite different and was the forerunner of the Class 50.
It was of Co-Co wheel arrangement and was fitted with an English Electric 16CSVT engine of 2700hp. It had a maximum speed of 90 mph and weighed 105 tons. It was initially painted in standard BR Brunswick Green livery, and later (from 1965) in two-tone green livery, with a light green lower band.
BR tested it initially on London Midland Region services out of London Euston, and later on the Eastern Region from London King's Cross. In July 1967 it was involved in a serious accident at Thirsk, and the damage proved to be so great that it was withdrawn and scrapped in September 1967 at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton Le Willows.
