British Rail DP1
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| DELTIC | |
 The nose end of DP1 at Locomotion |
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| Also called: | Deltic |
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| Builder: | English Electric |
| Introduced: | 1955 |
| Early numbers: | DP1 |
| Engine: | Napier Deltic |
| Transmission: | Diesel Electric |
| Wheel layout: | Co-Co |
| Brakes: | None |
| Engine power: | 3,300 bhp (2461 kW) |
DP1, or Prototype Deltic is a demonstrator locomotive built by English Electric in 1955. This locomotive resulted in 22 similar locomotives being ordered by British Rail, which became their Class 55.
[edit] Construction
The English Electric company, who had absorbed the engine maker Napier & Son into its vast empire, was (among many interests) a major builder of diesel and electric locomotives. EE saw the potential of Napier's Deltic engine for rail traction and in 1955 built a demonstrator in its Dick Kerr works in Preston. Officially numbered DP1 (Diesel Prototype number 1), although this was never borne on the locomotive, it carried the word DELTIC in large white letters on its powder-blue sides. Plans to name the locomotive Enterprise never came to fruition and it was to be known as Deltic to all.
Long cream stripes were painted on the sides, a visual device to make the locomotive's high sides appear more slender and speedier; three curved chevrons in the same creamy white 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 fitted to each nose (these lights were never installed but would have been of the rotating 'beacon' type as fitted to North American locomotives of the era). Two 18-cylinder Deltic engines were fitted, derated from the 3,100 horsepower (2.3 MW) of the marine engines to 1,650 horsepower (1.2 MW) each, 3,300 horsepower (2.5 MW) total. This derating decreased the stress on the engines, thereby increasing the service life and time between overhauls.
[edit] Service with British Rail
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. 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 restraints of sensible axle load and it was soon running on that Region.
[edit] Preservation
In 1961, DELTIC was withdrawn after serious powerplant failure; by that time the production Class 55 locomotives were coming into service. Plans to test it in Canada fell through 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.
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