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British Railways D0226 facts for kids

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British Railways D0226
D0226 at Haworth.
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
Serial number English Electric: 2345
Vulcan Foundry: D226
Build date 1956
Configuration 0-6-0
UIC classification C
Wheel diameter 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Locomotive weight 48 long tons (49 t)
Prime mover EE 6RKT
Transmission DC generator, DC traction motor
Top speed 35 mph (56 km/h)
Power output 500 hp (370 kW)
Tractive effort 33,000 lbf (146.79 kN)
Career British Railways
Number D226 (D0226 from August 1959)
First run loaned 1957
Retired October 1960
Disposition to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (March 1966)
British Railways D0227
Power type Diesel-hydraulic
Serial number English Electric: 2346
Vulcan Foundry: D227
Transmission Krupp-Lysholm hydraulic
Career British Railways
Number D227 (D0227 from August 1959)
Retired September 1959
Disposition Returned to RSH, Darlington

D0226 and D0227 were two special test trains, called prototype diesel locomotives. They were built in 1956 by a company called English Electric at their factory, Vulcan Foundry, in Newton-le-Willows, England. These locomotives were made to show British Railways what English Electric could build.

These trains were designed for shunting. Shunting means moving railway cars or locomotives around in a train yard. They originally had the numbers D226 and D227. Later, their numbers were changed to D0226 and D0227. This was done to avoid confusion with other new trains, like the Class 40 locomotives, which also used similar numbers.


Meet the Prototype Locomotives

These two locomotives were built to test different ways of powering a diesel train. They were like experiments to see which design worked best.

D0226: The Diesel-Electric Train

D0226 was a diesel-electric locomotive. This means it used a diesel engine to power a generator. The generator then made electricity, which powered electric motors connected to the wheels. It was built in 1956 and loaned to British Railways in 1957. D0226 was retired in October 1960. Later, in March 1966, it was sent to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, where it is now preserved.

D0227: The Diesel-Hydraulic Train

D0227 was different. It was a diesel-hydraulic locomotive. Instead of using electricity, its diesel engine powered a special hydraulic system. This system used fluid pressure, similar to how a car's automatic gearbox works, to turn the wheels. D0227 was also built in 1956. It was retired earlier than D0226, in September 1959. After its tests, it was returned to its builders.

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