British Rail Class D16/2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class D16/2 |
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| 10203 approaching Bletchley, 1954 | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
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| Builder | BR Ashford Works (2), Brighton Works (1) |
| Order number | SR Order 3441 |
| Build date | 1950 (10201/10202) 1954 (10203) |
| UIC classification | 1Co'Co1' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | Driving: 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Idling: 3 ft 1 in (0.940 m) |
| Minimum curve | 4.5 chains (91 m) |
| Wheelbase | 55 ft 6 in (16.92 m) |
| Length | 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
| Height | 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 133 long tons (135 t) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,150 imp gal (5,200 L; 1,380 US gal) |
| Prime mover | English Electric 16SVT |
| Traction motors | English Electric 526A, 6 off |
| Top speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) |
| Power output | 10201/2: 1,750 bhp (1,300 kW) 10203: 2,000 bhp (1,500 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 10201/2: 48,000 lbf (213.5 kN) |
| Train heating | Steam generator |
| Train brakes | Vacuum |
| Career | British Railways |
| Number | 10201–10203 |
| Axle load class | RA 6 |
Imagine a powerful train that runs on diesel fuel instead of steam! The British Railways Class D16/2 was a special type of diesel train, built in the early 1950s. Only three of these unique trains were ever made. They were designed by a famous engineer named Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway, even though they weren't built until after 1948, when all British railways became part of 'British Railways'.
Even though the main parts like the engine came from a company called English Electric, you could tell Oliver Bulleid had a big hand in the design. They looked very different from other diesel trains of the time, with a unique boxy shape that reminded people of his electric trains.
Contents
What is a Diesel-Electric Train?
A diesel-electric train is a bit like a giant hybrid car. It uses a powerful diesel engine, but this engine doesn't directly turn the wheels. Instead, the diesel engine powers a generator, which then creates electricity. This electricity is used to run electric motors connected to the wheels, making the train move.
This design allows for smooth power delivery and makes the train very efficient. The Class D16/2 trains used this clever system to pull heavy loads and travel at good speeds.
How the D16/2 Worked
The D16/2 locomotives had a large English Electric 16SVT diesel engine. This engine was like the heart of the train, producing a lot of power. For the first two trains (10201 and 10202), the engine made about 1,750 horsepower. The third train (10203) was even more powerful, with its engine producing 2,000 horsepower!
This power was then sent to six special electric motors, called traction motors, which were connected to the wheels. These motors helped the train pull up to 48,000 pounds of force, which is a lot of pulling power!
Design and Appearance
The Class D16/2 trains had a very distinctive look. Their body was quite boxy and strong, which was a signature style of their designer, Oliver Bulleid. This design was different from other diesel trains made by English Electric, which usually had a smoother, more rounded shape.
The unique look of the D16/2s made them stand out. They were built to be tough and reliable, ready for the important job of moving people and goods across the country.
Where Were They Built?
These special trains were built in two different workshops. Two of them, numbers 10201 and 10202, were built at the Ashford Works in 1950. The third one, number 10203, was built a few years later in 1954 at the Brighton Works.
Building trains like these was a big job, requiring many skilled workers. Each train was carefully put together, piece by piece, to ensure it could handle the tough demands of railway travel.
Life on the Tracks
The Class D16/2 locomotives were designed to be versatile. They could pull both passenger trains and freight trains. Their top speed was around 90 miles per hour, which was quite fast for a diesel train at that time.
They were an important part of the early move away from steam trains in Britain. As "prototype" trains, they were built to test new ideas and technologies. This helped engineers learn what worked best for future diesel trains.
Why Only Three Trains?
Since the D16/2s were prototypes, only three were built. Prototypes are like test models; they help engineers try out new designs and see how they perform in the real world. If the tests go well, more trains might be built based on that design.
However, sometimes prototypes lead to new ideas, and the original design isn't continued. These three trains provided valuable information for the development of future diesel locomotives in Britain.
Images for kids
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10203 at Wolverton, in 1957
