British Rail GT3

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Gas Turbine 3
Specifications
Power type Gas Turbine mechanical
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
Serial number Vulcan Foundry: D228
Build date 1958–1961
Configuration 4-6-0
UIC classification 2'C
Driver diameter 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
Length 68 ft 0 1⁄2 in (20.74 m)
Locomotive weight 79.80 long tons (81.08 t)
Tender weight 44 long tons (45 t)
Prime mover EM27L gas turbine
Transmission Mechanical: flexible drive from gearbox onto middle driving axle
Top speed 90 mph (140 km/h)
Power output 2,750 hp (2,050 kW)
Tractive effort 38,000 lbf (169.03 kN)
Train heating Steam generator
Career
Railroad(s) British Rail
Number GT3
Disposition Returned to VF 1962; turbine removed; scrapped T.W. Ward, Salford, March 1966

GT3, meaning Gas Turbine number 3 (following 18000 and 18100 as gas turbines 1 and 2), was a prototype mainline gas turbine locomotive built in 1961 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. It was designed by Vulcan engineer J. O. P. Hughes in a project that started in the early 1950s. Externally it resembled a steam tender locomotive, although, in the case of GT3, the tender carried diesel fuel.

Overview

It was of 4-6-0 wheel arrangement resembling a BR standard class 5 steam locomotive chassis and was fitted with an EM27L gas turbine of 2700hp, but the chassis itself was a strengthened structure to cope with the torque of the turbine. It had a maximum speed of 90mph, weighed 123.5tons, and was painted in a red oxide livery.

BR tested it at its Rugby test centre and then on the former Great Central Main Line around Leicester and the West Coast Main Line around the Shap incline.

At the same time, Vulcan was fully engaged in manufacturing diesel-electric locomotives of many types (including the 3,300-horsepower (2,500 kW) Deltic). These were rapidly becoming the future of rail traction. Diesel-electrics do not need turntables, an advantage that the GT3 with its steam loco style layout could not offer.

BR decided to stay with diesel and electric traction, and GT3 was returned to Vulcan Foundry at the end of 1962, where it was gradually dismantled. It was finally scrapped at T.W. Ward, Salford in February 1966 having been towed there by, ironically, a BR standard steam locomotive.

Further reading

  • Hughes, J.O.P. (14 December 1961). "The Design and Development of a Gas Turbine Locomotive". J. Inst. Locomotive Engineers 52:2 (286): 180–220. Paper Nº633. 
  • Hollingsworth, Brian; Cook, Arthur (2000). "GT3 2-C". Modern Locomotives. pp. 136–137. ISBN 0-86288-351-2. 
  • Robertson, K. (1989). "Appendix L: GT3". The Great Western Railway Gas Turbines. Alan Sutton. pp. 205–208. ISBN 0-86299-541-8. 

External links


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