British Rail Class 45

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British Rail Class 45
D124 at St Pancras, in 1965 wearing green livery.
Also called:	'Peak'
Builder:	British Rail Derby British Rail Crewe
Years built:	1960 - 1962
Early numbers:	D11 - D137
TOPS numbers:	45001 - 45077 45101-45150
Number built:	127
Engine:	Sulzer 12LDA28-B 12-cyl
Transmission:	Diesel-Electric
Wheel layout:	1Co-Co1
Wheel diameter:	45 in (1,143 mm)
Minimum curve:	5 chains (100 m)
Brakes:	Vacuum
Brake force:	63 long tons (64.0 t)
Wheelbase:	59 ft 8 in (18.2 m)
Length:	67 ft 11 in (20.7 m)
Width:	8 ft 10.5 in (2.7 m)
Height:	12 ft 10 in (3.9 m)
Weight:	133 long tons (135 t)
Maximum speed:	90 mph (145 km/h)
Engine power:	2,500 bhp (1860 kW)
Rail power:	2,000 bhp (1490 kW)
Maximum TE:	55,000 lbf (245 kN)
Heating type:	Steam
Multiple working:	Blue Star
Fuel capacity:	840 imp gal (3,800 l)
Route availability:	7

The British Rail Class 45 also known as the Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail at their Derby and Crewe Works between 1960 and 1962. They were the successors to the Class 44 locomotives. When initially put into service the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam heating boilers for passenger service. In the early 1970s fifty were fitted with electric train supply in place of their steam heating boilers, and assigned to work services on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. All were withdrawn from service by 1989.

[edit] Photos

45111 Grenadier Guardsman at Crewe on 16 July 1986.

Withdrawn by BR in 1987 and preserved but reinstated by Fragonset Railways is 45112 The Royal Army Ordnance Corps, seen here at Derby on 11 August 2004.

D123 approaches Kinchley Lane on the Great Central Railway.

45135 leaves Bury for Heywood on the East Lancashire Railway.

[edit] Fleet details

[edit] Preservation

Twelve locomotives survive in preservation. A quick summary of these is as follows (a more detailed study can be found above):

• 45015 - Currently awaiting restoration at the Battlefield Railway
• 45041 - In Operational Condition at the Midland Railway Butterley
• 45060 - Stored serviceable at Barrow Hill Roundhouse
• 45105 - Under restoration at Barrow Hill Roundhouse
• 45108 - Stored at The Midland Railway Centre Butterley awaiting restoration.
• 45112 - In operational condition at the Dartmoor Railway. (April 2008 - Barrow Hill)
• 45118 - In operational condition at the Northampton & Lamport Railway
• 45125 - In operational condition at the Great Central Railway
• 45132 - Under overhaul at the Mid-Hants Railway
• 45133 - Under repair at the Midland Railway Butterley
• 45135 - In operational condition at the East Lancashire Railway
• 45149 - Under restoration at the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway

[edit] External links

• Photos of Class 45's in action from 1970s to withdrawal and in preservation

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British Rail Class 45