British Rail Class D3/9 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LNER J45 or DES1 classBritish Rail Class D3/9 |
|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | London and North Eastern Railway’s Doncaster Works |
| Serial number | 1960, 1963, 1973, 1978 |
| Build date | 1944–1945 |
| Total production | 4 |
| Configuration | 0-6-0 DE |
| UIC classification | C |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 50.0–51.0 long tons (50.8–51.8 t) |
| Prime mover | English Electric 6KT |
| Traction motors | English Electric, 2 off |
| Multiple working | Not fitted |
| Top speed | 20 mph (32 km/h) |
| Power output | Engine: 350 bhp (261 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 32,000 lbf (142.3 kN) |
| Train heating | None |
| Train brakes | Vacuum |
| Career | London and North Eastern Railway, British Railways |
| Class | LNER: J45; DES1 from September 1945; BR: DEJ1; later D3/9; later 3/10 |
| Number | LNER 8000–8003, BR 15000–15003 |
| Axle load class | LNER: RA 5; BR: RA 7 |
| Retired | 1967 |
| Disposition | All scrapped, 1968 |
Imagine a powerful train that helped move things around Britain! The British Rail Class D3/9 was a type of diesel train built a long time ago by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in a place called Doncaster Works in England. Only four of these special trains were ever made.
Contents
What was the D3/9?
The D3/9 was a type of train called a 'locomotive' that used a diesel engine to power it. It was designed to pull trains, especially for shunting (moving wagons around a train yard) or light freight duties. These trains were built during the years 1944 and 1945.
Built for Work
These four locomotives were built by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at their workshops in Doncaster, England. They were given numbers like 8000, 8001, 8002, and 8003. When British Railways took over, these trains were renumbered to 15000, 15001, 15002, and 15003.
Diesel-Electric Power!
The D3/9 trains were special because they used a diesel-electric system. This means they had a diesel engine that worked like a generator to make electricity. This electricity then powered special motors (called traction motors) that turned the wheels. This was a modern way to power trains back then!
The diesel engine inside was an English Electric 6KT, which could produce about 350 horsepower. This power allowed the train to pull heavy loads, with a pulling force (tractive effort) of around 32,000 pounds.
How Fast Could It Go?
These trains were not built for super-fast journeys. Their top speed was about 20 miles per hour (around 32 kilometers per hour). This speed was perfect for moving wagons around busy train yards or pulling freight trains on shorter routes. Each locomotive weighed about 50 to 51 long tons.
A Short Life
The D3/9 locomotives worked for British Railways for many years. However, by 1967, they were all taken out of service. They were then scrapped in 1968, meaning they were taken apart and their materials reused. Even though they are no longer around, they were an important part of railway history in Britain.
