Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives of the Western Region
- Locomotive Studies
- The 309 diesel-hydraulic line-service locomotives of the Western region caused more comment, commotion and opprobrium than any other motive power built under the British Railways Modernisation plan initiated in 1955. They were so completely different in conception and construction from the 2500 BR diesel-electrics; apart from the provision of a transmission new to Britain they introduced the then modern quick running light weight diesel engine. Opposition to them on non-technical and non-reasoned grounds was strong at BR headquarters and in sections of British industry. But in their time the Warship and Western classes became 'Great Western' hallmarks as much as the steam Castles and Kings they replaced, and they made possible the 70-75mph framework of Western Region main line timetables.
- Unfortunately they formed only 11 percent of the total BR diesel fleet, and they were thus made victims of the 1967 so-called National Traction Plan which envisaged early withdrawal and replacement by more standard diesel-electric types, the majority had been taken out of service by 1973, when aggregate diesel-hydraulic mileage was approaching 200 million. Locomotives of the D800 Maybach-engined Warship class had almost throughout their lives shown average annual mileages greater than any BR type diesel electrics. Indeed, on the WR, diesel-hydraulic traction proved its capabilities, but only in conjunction with heavy expenditure on maintenance
- 96 pages, 1974, Case bound, 6¾" x 9¾"
- David & Charles Publications
- ISBN-10 0715367692
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