The British Rail (BR) Class 20, otherwise known as an English Electric Type 1, is a class of diesel-electric locomotive. In total, 228 locomotives in the class were built by English Electric between 1957 and 1968, the large number being in part because of the failure of other early designs in the same power range to provide reliable locomotives.
The locomotives were originally numbered D8000–D8199 and D8300–D8327. They are known by railway enthusiasts as 'Choppers', A name derived from the distinctive beat the engine produces under load which resembles the sound of a helicopter.
The Class 31 was one of the Pilot Scheme locomotives ordered by British Railways to replace steam traction. They were originally built with Mirrlees JVS12T 1,250 bhp (930 kW) and 1,365 bhp (1,018 kW) engines and Brush electrical equipment, but the engines were not successful and in 1964 a programme of works commenced to re-engine the fleet with the 1,470 bhp (1,100 kW) English Electric 12SVT engines. The locomotives were originally known as Class 30 under TOPS, with re-engined examples joining Class 31. The class was originally intended for service on the Eastern Region, but gradually became common in both the Western and London Midland regions too.
The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. Also known as the English Electric Type 3, the Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.The Class 37 became a familiar sight on many parts of the British Rail network, in particular forming the main motive power for Inter-City services in East Anglia and within Scotland. They also performed well on secondary and inter-regional services for many years. The Class 37s are known to railway enthusiasts as 'Tractors', a nickname derived from the similarity of the sound of the locomotive.As part of the large scale dieselisation brought about by the British Rail modernisation plan a need was identified for a number of type 3 locomotives of power output 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) to 1,999 hp (1,491 kW). English Electric had already been successful with orders for type 1 and type 4 diesels, and had produced locomotives of similar power to that which was required for railways in East Africa. A design based on the exported locomotives was put forward and accepted. The design was for a general purpose locomotive and initially found service in British Rail's Eastern Region.
Class 43`s (HST)
The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train power cars, built by BREL from 1976 to 1982.The class is the fastest diesel unit in the world, with an absolute maximum speed of 148 mph (238 km/h), and a regular service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). There are claims that this diesel rail speed record has been broken twice unofficially: by a Russian train in 1992 achieving 168 mph (270 km/h), and a Spanish train reporting 159 mph (256 km/h) in 2002.
The British Rail Class 47, is a class of British railway diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. A total of 512 Class 47s were built at Crewe Works and Brush's Falcon Works, Loughborough between 1962 and 1968, which made them the most numerous class of British mainline diesel locomotive.They were fitted with the Sulzer 12LDA28C twin-bank twelve-cylinder unit producing 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) - though this was later derated to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW) to improve reliability - and have been used on both passenger and freight trains on Britain's railways for over 40 years. Despite the introduction of more modern types of traction, as of 2008 a significant number are still in use, both on the mainline and on heritage railways. As of October 2010, 99 locomotives still exist; between 25 and 30 are engaged on active work on the mainline.
The Class 57 diesel locomotives were introduced by Brush Traction between 1997-2004. They are rebuilds, with reconditioned General Motors engines, of former Class 47 locomotives, originally introduced in 1964-5. They are known as 'bodysnatchers', or 'Zombies' to enthusiasts, by virtue of the fact that the shell (body) of the Class 47 has been stripped, rewired and re-engined and as 'GM's due to them being 'genetically modified' with General Motors equipment.
In the 1980s, British Rail decided it had a requirement for a high powered Type 5 diesel locomotive for use on its Trainload Freight sector. On 10 August 1987, the British Rail Board issued a competitive tender for response by 7 November, for a fleet of 100 locomotives. Of the six companies invited to tender,citation needed] only three bid responses were received
The Class 66 is a six axle diesel electric freight locomotive developed in part from the British Rail Class 59, for use on the railways of the UK. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies. In Continental Europe it is marketed as the EMD Series 66 (JT42CWR). On the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations in 1996, English, Welsh and Scottish Railway bought most of British Rail's freight operations. Many of the locomotives that EWS inherited were either at the end of their useful life or of doubtful reliability. EWS approached General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD), who offered their JT42CWR model which had the same bodyshell as the EMD built Class 59; this gave the advantage of having a locomotive of known clearance. The engine and traction motors were different models from those in the Class 59. Additionally, the Class 66s incorporated General Motors' version of a steering bogie - designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves.
The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo'Bo' diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components (engine and transmission) from General Motors Diesel. The thirty locomotives of this class were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) as British Rail Class 47 replacements for use on high-speed mail trains and passenger trains the locomotives were obtained on a 15 year lease via Angel Trains.
The General Electric PowerHaul is a type of six axle Co-Co mainline freight locomotive manufactured by General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania, and also assembled under license by Tulomsas of Turkey.The first orders for the locomotive were for 30 units from Freightliner for operations in the United Kingdom; in the UK the locomotives have been given the class designation of Class 70 on the TOPS system. 20 units are also to be produced by Tulomsas for the state railways of Turkey (TCDD).
The British Rail Class 86 was the standard electric locomotive built during the 1960s, developed as a result of testing with the earlier Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. One hundred of these locomotives were built from 1965-1966 by either English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, or British Rail (BR) at their Doncaster works. The class was built to haul trains on the then newly electrified West Coast Main Line, from London Euston, to Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool and later Preston and Glasgow. They helped to replace steam locomotives, which were finally withdrawn by BR in 1968.
The British Rail Class 90 electric locomotives were built by BREL at Crewe from 1987-1990. Each locomotive weighs 84.5 tonnes and has a top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h). They operate from 25 kV AC overhead wires and produce 5,000 bhp (3,700 kW). The class is employed on both express passenger services and heavy freight trains. A fleet of fifty Class 90/0 locomotives were built in the late 1980s, numbered 90001-050. They were developed from the earlier Class 87 locomotives, but featured many improvements and new features. The Class 90s were primarily built to replace the ageing fleets of Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 dating from the early-1960s, which were prone to fire damage.
Class 92`s
The British Rail Class 92 is a dual-voltage electric locomotive which can run on 25 kV AC from overhead wires or 750 V DC from a third rail. It was designed specifically to operate services through the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. Eurotunnel indicates the Class 92 locomotive as the reference for other locomotives which railway undertakings might want to get certified for usage in the Channel tunnel.Locomotives of this type are operated by GB Railfreight, SNCF, and DB Schenker. In France the SNCF owned locomotives have been given the class CC 92000.
Class 379`s
The Class 379 Electrostar is a type of electric multiple unit ordered in April 2009 for Stansted Express services operated by National Express East Anglia. The trains will also be used on services from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge and Hertford East. The trains are part of Bombardier Transportation's Electrostar family and are owned by Lloyds TSB General leasing (No 8) Ltd. They are being built at Bombardier's plant in Derby where the first unit was unveiled on 13 October 2010. After going to the Velim railway test circuit in the Czech Republic during November 2010, the first train returned to the UK in December for further testing along with other members of the class as they are built. A phased introduction into passenger service commenced in March 2011. They will be maintained by Bombardier at Ilford. When released onto service, they will work alongside the current Class 317s and Class 170s.
A steam locomotive is a locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. The term locomotive refers to any self-propelled vehicle. This may also include a road locomotive such as a traction engine or steam car, however when the term is used on its own, it commonly refers to a railway locomotive. Its purpose is to haul a train for freight wagons or passenger coaches along a railway track. The locomotive is usually fueled by coal, wood or oil. This fuel is burned to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine. Both fuel and water supplies are carried with the locomotive, either on the locomotive itself or in wagons pulled behind.
Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. The 16-mile (26 km) line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Train services are hauled predominantly by steam locomotives; however diesel traction is also sometimes used.