British Rail DP2
Encyclopedia
DP2, meaning Diesel Prototype number 2, was a prototype Type 4 mainline diesel locomotive built in 1962 by English Electric
at their Vulcan Foundry
in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Rail
ways. As the Deltics were then in production, it was decided to produce the locomotive on the same production line; the bodyshell used for DP2 reputedly being the eighteenth made. While DP2 looked like a Class 55
locomotive in outline, there were many detail differences; particularly the large bodyside radiator vents at one end, and the single roof fan as opposed to the four symmetrically placed fans on the Deltics. These differences revealed that DP2 was totally different from the twin-engined Deltics internally, having only a single prime mover and generator. The loco was later updated with electronic control systems to become the forerunner of the Class 50
.
It was of Co-Co wheel arrangement
and was fitted with an English Electric 16CSVT engine of 2700-hp. It had a maximum speed of 90 mph and weighed 105 tons. It was initially painted in standard BR Brunswick Green livery and later (from 1965) in two-tone green livery with a light green lower bodyside band.
BR tested it initially on London Midland Region services out of London Euston and later on the Eastern Region
from London King's Cross. Here it was frequently rostered on Class 55 diagrams but had difficulty in keeping to schedules - possessing only 82% of the power of a Deltic. On the 31st of July 1967 it was involved in a serious accident at Thirsk
, colliding at speed with the de-railed Cliffe (Kent) to Uddingston (Glasgow) cement train. The damage proved to be so great that it was considered uneconomical to repair. It was withdrawn from BR service in September 1967 and moved to the Vulcan Foundry
where it was stored until it was scrapped in 1970, its reusable parts being provided to the Class 50
pool of spares, its engine initially went to D417/50 017 'Royal Oak', but ended its working days in 50 037.
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
at their Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
ways. As the Deltics were then in production, it was decided to produce the locomotive on the same production line; the bodyshell used for DP2 reputedly being the eighteenth made. While DP2 looked like a 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...
locomotive in outline, there were many detail differences; particularly the large bodyside radiator vents at one end, and the single roof fan as opposed to the four symmetrically placed fans on the Deltics. These differences revealed that DP2 was totally different from the twin-engined Deltics internally, having only a single prime mover and generator. The loco was later updated with electronic control systems to become the forerunner of the Class 50
British Rail Class 50
The British Rail Class 50 is a diesel locomotive built from 1967-68 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry Works in Newton-le-Willows. Fifty of these locomotives were built to haul express passenger trains on the, then non-electrified, section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe,...
.
It was of Co-Co wheel arrangement
UIC classification
The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is set out in the International Union of Railways "Leaflet 650 - Standard designation of axle arrangement on locomotives and multiple-unit sets". It is used in much...
and was fitted with an English Electric 16CSVT engine of 2700-hp. It had a maximum speed of 90 mph and weighed 105 tons. It was initially painted in standard BR Brunswick Green livery and later (from 1965) in two-tone green livery with a light green lower bodyside band.
BR tested it initially on London Midland Region services out of London Euston and later on the Eastern Region
Eastern 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...
from London King's Cross. Here it was frequently rostered on Class 55 diagrams but had difficulty in keeping to schedules - possessing only 82% of the power of a Deltic. On the 31st of July 1967 it was involved in a serious accident at Thirsk
Thirsk rail crash (1967)
The Thirsk rail crash occurred on 31 July 1967 at Thirsk, Yorkshire, England on the British Rail East Coast Main Line.-Events:The 1A26 express train from King's Cross to Edinburgh collided at speed with the wreckage of a de-railed freight train around 15:17 on that day. Seven people were killed and...
, colliding at speed with the de-railed Cliffe (Kent) to Uddingston (Glasgow) cement train. The damage proved to be so great that it was considered uneconomical to repair. It was withdrawn from BR service in September 1967 and moved to the Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
where it was stored until it was scrapped in 1970, its reusable parts being provided to the Class 50
British Rail Class 50
The British Rail Class 50 is a diesel locomotive built from 1967-68 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry Works in Newton-le-Willows. Fifty of these locomotives were built to haul express passenger trains on the, then non-electrified, section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe,...
pool of spares, its engine initially went to D417/50 017 'Royal Oak', but ended its working days in 50 037.