British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 43 |
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| Power type | Diesel-hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Builder | North British Locomotive Co. |
| Serial number | 27962–27994 |
| Build date | 1960–1962 |
| Total production | 33 |
| UIC classification | B'B' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Wheel diameter | 3 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.003 m) new |
| Minimum curve | 4.5 chains (91 m) |
| Wheelbase | bogie 10 feet 6 inches (3.20 m) bogie center distance 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m) total 48 ft 3 in (14.71 m) |
| Length | 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 9+1⁄2 in (3.90 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 79.50 long tons (80.78 t; 89.04 short tons) |
| Fuel capacity | 800 imp gal (3,600 L; 960 US gal) |
| Prime mover | MAN L12V 18/21, 2 per locomotive |
| Engine type | V12 four stroke diesel |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| Cylinder size | 180 mm × 210 mm (7.087 in × 8.268 in) (bore x stroke) |
| Transmission | Hydraulic, Voith/NBL LT.306r |
| Multiple working | ◆ White Diamond |
| Power output | Engines: 1,100 bhp (820 kW) × 2 |
| Tractive effort | Maximum: 49,030 lbf (218 kN) |
| Train heating | Steam, 940 imp gal (4,300 L; 1,130 US gal) capacity |
| Locomotive brakes | Vacuum controlled air, hand brake (?) |
| Train brakes | Vacuum |
| Nicknames | "Warship" |
| Axle load class | Route availability 7 (RA 6 from 1969) |
| Retired | 1969–1971 |
| Disposition | All scrapped |
The British Rail Class 43 locomotives were powerful diesel trains. They were built by the North British Locomotive Company (NBL). These trains were made between 1960 and 1962. People often called them "Warships" because of their strong design.
Contents
What was the Class 43 "Warship"?
The Class 43 was a type of train called a diesel-hydraulic locomotive. This means it used a diesel engine to power a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system then turned the wheels. It was a different way to power trains compared to steam engines or electric trains.
Why were they called "Warships"?
The nickname "Warship" was given to these trains because of their powerful look. They were strong and fast, like naval warships. This name helped them stand out.
Building the "Warship" Trains
The North British Locomotive Company built all 33 of these trains. They were made in Scotland. Building started in 1960 and finished in 1962. Each train was designed to be very strong and reliable.
How many were built?
In total, 33 Class 43 locomotives were made. Each one had its own number, from D833 to D865. This made them easy to identify on the railway lines.
Inside a "Warship" Locomotive
These trains were quite advanced for their time. They had two powerful diesel engines. Each engine produced a lot of horsepower. This gave the trains plenty of power to pull heavy loads.
How fast could they go?
The Class 43 trains could reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour (about 129 km/h). This made them suitable for express passenger services. They were designed to move quickly across the country.
What kind of engines did they use?
Each Class 43 had two V12 diesel engines. These engines worked together to provide the train's power. They used a hydraulic transmission system to send power to the wheels. This was a modern technology for trains back then.
The "Warships" in Service
These locomotives were used by British Railways. They mainly operated on routes in the Western Region of Britain. They pulled both passenger and freight trains. Their speed and power made them useful for many different jobs.
What did they carry?
The Class 43 trains were strong enough to pull long passenger trains. They also hauled goods trains. They were an important part of Britain's railway network in the 1960s.
The End of the Line for Class 43s
Despite their power, the Class 43 locomotives did not stay in service for very long. They were retired between 1969 and 1971. This was only about 7 to 11 years after they were built.
Why were they retired so early?
All the Class 43 trains were eventually scrapped. This happened because British Railways decided to use different types of locomotives. They moved towards trains with electric or diesel-electric power. The hydraulic system was not continued for new trains.
Images for kids
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D861 'Vigilant' at Tilehurst in 1962
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D836 'Powerful' hauling a Paddington-Bristol express in 1962
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D853 "Thruster" in 1970.
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