British Rail 18000 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Rail 18000 |
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| Power type | Gas Turbine-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | Brown, Boveri & Cie and Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works |
| Order number | GWR Lot 372 |
| Serial number | BBC: 4559 SLM: 3977 |
| Build date | 1949 |
| UIC classification | (A1A)(A1A) |
| Wheel diameter | Driving: 4 ft 0+1⁄4 in (1,226 mm) Idling: 3 ft 2 in (965 mm) |
| Locomotive weight | 115.18 long tons (117.03 t) |
| Prime mover | Gas Turbine |
| Traction motors | Four |
| Transmission | DC generator DC traction motors |
| Top speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
| Power output | 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 31,500 lbf (140,000 N) |
| Train heating | Steam generator |
| Career | British Railways |
| Power class | BR: 4 |
| Nicknames | Kerosene Castle |
British Rail 18000 was a very special and experimental train built in 1949. It was a gas turbine-electric locomotive, which means it used an engine similar to a jet engine to create power. This unique train was made for British Railways.
The company Brown, Boveri & Cie built this locomotive. It was first ordered by the Great Western Railway back in 1940. However, its construction was delayed because of World War II.
This powerful train spent its working life on the Western part of British Railways. It was used to pull fast passenger trains. These trains often traveled from London Paddington station.
What Made It Special?
British Rail 18000 was a "prototype" locomotive. This means it was a test model. Engineers wanted to see if a gas turbine engine could work well in a train.
A gas turbine engine is like a jet engine. It spins a turbine very fast. This turbine then powers a generator. The generator makes electricity, which drives the train's wheels.
This type of engine was quite new for trains at the time. It was an exciting idea for making trains go faster and be more powerful.
Where Is It Now?
Luckily, British Rail 18000 has been saved! It is now preserved at the Didcot Railway Centre. You can visit it there and see this amazing piece of railway history.
Images for kids
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18000 at Bellinzona, Switzerland (1967)
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18000 at Vienna in 1989
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British Rail 18000 at Barrow Hill in 2009
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British Rail 18000 in N scale
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