British Rail DP1
Encyclopedia
DP1, known as Deltic from the name painted on the sides, is a prototype demonstrator locomotive employing a Deltic
engine, built by English Electric
in 1955. This locomotive resulted in 22 similar locomotives being ordered by British Railways, which became their Class 55
.
into its vast empire at the instruction of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1942, was (among many interests) a major builder of diesel and electric locomotive
s. The two George Nelsons (Sir George, and his son, known in the works as "Half") saw the potential of Napier's Deltic engine for rail traction and in 1954-1955 built a demonstrator at its Dick, Kerr
works in Preston. Officially numbered DP1 (Diesel Prototype number 1, although this was never borne on the locomotive), it carried the word DELTIC in large cream letters on its powder-blue sides. Plans to name the locomotive
"Enterprise" never came to fruition and it was to be known to all just as "Deltic".
Long aluminium beadings on the sides were painted cream, a visual device to make the locomotive's high sides appear more slender and speedier; three curved chevrons in the same cream on the noses gave it the impression of speed. The locomotive's styling was reminiscent of American
locomotives (partly because English Electric initially planned to offer the type for export) with high noses and small, somewhat swept-back cab windows set back behind them; to add to the American look of the locomotive to British eyes, a large headlight was to be fitted to each nose (these lights were never installed but would have been of the rotating 'Mars Light
' type as fitted to North American locomotives of the era). Two 18-cylinder Deltic engines were fitted, derated from the 1,750 horsepower (1.3 MW) of the marine engines in minesweepers to 1,650 horsepower (1.2 MW) each, 3,300 horsepower (2.5 MW) total. This derating reduced the stress on the engines, thereby increasing the service life and length of time between overhauls.
, however, no diesel replacement of conventional design seemed to be available for Gresley
's swift and powerful Pacifics, particularly the A4. Only the Deltic appeared to offer the power and speed required within the constraints of a sensible 20-ton axle load
, and it was soon running on that Region.
In March 1961 "DELTIC" was withdrawn after a serious powerplant failure; by that time the production Class 55 locomotives were coming into service. Plans to test it in Canada fell through and the locomotive was donated to the Science Museum, London
. It is now in the National Railway Museum
site Locomotion
in Shildon
, County Durham
, England
.
, who did not release model kits of this locomotive. In time, the Airfix tools passed on to Dapol
who rediscovered the moulding tools and have since produced the model kit.
Bachmann
collaborated with the National Railway Museum in 2008 to produce a limited-edition model of the DP1, exclusively for the NRM Shop. Bachmann representatives used laser-scanning technology to create a highly-detailed and accurate model in OO-scale. The model was produced in so limited numbers, and was so successful, that stores of the model were quickly sold out and locomotives were subsequently sold online for elevated prices. The model was praised for its attention to fine detail (such as legible builders' plates) and smooth yet powerful running. An N-scale model was subsequently released in 2010 for the public under the Graham Farish name.
LH Loveless released an O gauge model in 2008.
Napier Deltic
The Napier Deltic engine is a British opposed-piston valveless, two-stroke diesel engine used in marine and locomotive applications, designed and produced by Napier & Son...
engine, built by English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
in 1955. This locomotive resulted in 22 similar locomotives being ordered by British Railways, which became their Class 55
British Rail Class 55
The British Rail Class 55 is a class of diesel locomotive built in 1961 and 1962 by English Electric. They were designed for the high-speed express passenger services on the East Coast Main Line between and Edinburgh. They gained the name "Deltic" from the prototype locomotive, DP1 Deltic, which...
.
Construction
The English Electric company, which had absorbed the engine-maker Napier & SonNapier & Son
D. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
into its vast empire at the instruction of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1942, was (among many interests) a major builder of diesel and electric locomotive
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
s. The two George Nelsons (Sir George, and his son, known in the works as "Half") saw the potential of Napier's Deltic engine for rail traction and in 1954-1955 built a demonstrator at its Dick, Kerr
Dick, Kerr & Co.
Dick, Kerr and Company was a locomotive and tramcar manufacturer based in Kilmarnock, Scotland and Preston, England.-Early history:Having previously been known as W.B.Dick and Company the company had built all kinds of tramway equipment and rolling stock. From 1883 the company joined with John Kerr...
works in Preston. Officially numbered DP1 (Diesel Prototype number 1, although this was never borne on the locomotive), it carried the word DELTIC in large cream letters on its powder-blue sides. Plans to name the locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
"Enterprise" never came to fruition and it was to be known to all just as "Deltic".
Long aluminium beadings on the sides were painted cream, a visual device to make the locomotive's high sides appear more slender and speedier; three curved chevrons in the same cream on the noses gave it the impression of speed. The locomotive's styling was reminiscent of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
locomotives (partly because English Electric initially planned to offer the type for export) with high noses and small, somewhat swept-back cab windows set back behind them; to add to the American look of the locomotive to British eyes, a large headlight was to be fitted to each nose (these lights were never installed but would have been of the rotating 'Mars Light
Mars Light
Mars Lights are signal-safety lights used in the United States and built by Mars Signal Light Company for railroad locomotives and fire apparatus...
' type as fitted to North American locomotives of the era). Two 18-cylinder Deltic engines were fitted, derated from the 1,750 horsepower (1.3 MW) of the marine engines in minesweepers to 1,650 horsepower (1.2 MW) each, 3,300 horsepower (2.5 MW) total. This derating reduced the stress on the engines, thereby increasing the service life and length of time between overhauls.
Service with British Railways
The locomotive first saw service on the London Midland Region of British Railways but the intention soon became to electrify the major routes on that Region. It also underwent extensive testing on the Settle - Carlisle route in 1956 with test trains, two mobile testing units and a dynamometer car, and the results of this are contained in British Transport Commission Test Bulletin No.19. On the Eastern RegionEastern Region of British Railways
The Eastern Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992...
, however, no diesel replacement of conventional design seemed to be available for Gresley
Nigel Gresley
Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley was one of Britain's most famous steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway . He was the designer of some of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain, including the LNER Class A1 and LNER Class A4...
's swift and powerful Pacifics, particularly the A4. Only the Deltic appeared to offer the power and speed required within the constraints of a sensible 20-ton axle load
Axle load
The axle load of a wheeled vehicle is the total weight felt by the roadway for all wheels connected to a given axle. Viewed another way, it is the fraction of total vehicle weight resting on a given axle...
, and it was soon running on that Region.
Preservation
Science Museum (London)
The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
. It is now in the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...
site Locomotion
Shildon Locomotion Museum
Shildon Locomotion Museum is a railway museum in Shildon, County Durham, England. The museum is a branch of the National Railway Museum , which is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry...
in Shildon
Shildon
Shildon is a town in County Durham, in England. It is situated 2 miles to the south east of Bishop Auckland and 11 miles north of Darlington. It is 13 miles away from Durham, 23 miles from Sunderland and 23 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Models
The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for 00 gauge. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) to AirfixAirfix
Airfix is a UK manufacturer of plastic scale model kits of aircraft and other subjects. In Britain, the name Airfix is synonymous with the hobby, a plastic model of this type is often simply referred to as "an airfix kit" even if made by another manufacturer....
, who did not release model kits of this locomotive. In time, the Airfix tools passed on to Dapol
Dapol
Dapol Ltd is a Welsh model railway manufacturer based in Chirk, Wales. The factory where design and manufacturing take place is just over the border in England.The Dapol trading name is known for its model railway products in N and OO gauges.-History:...
who rediscovered the moulding tools and have since produced the model kit.
Bachmann
Bachmann Branchline
Bachmann Branchline is a brand name of Bachmann Industries used for British outline 00 gauge model railways.Bachmann, a US company founded in 1835, was purchased by Kader Industries in 1987. Kader had previously produced models for Palitoy under the 'Mainline' brand...
collaborated with the National Railway Museum in 2008 to produce a limited-edition model of the DP1, exclusively for the NRM Shop. Bachmann representatives used laser-scanning technology to create a highly-detailed and accurate model in OO-scale. The model was produced in so limited numbers, and was so successful, that stores of the model were quickly sold out and locomotives were subsequently sold online for elevated prices. The model was praised for its attention to fine detail (such as legible builders' plates) and smooth yet powerful running. An N-scale model was subsequently released in 2010 for the public under the Graham Farish name.
LH Loveless released an O gauge model in 2008.