British Rail Class 44
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| British Rail Class 44 | |
 Preserved Class 44 number D8 at Rowsley South |
|
| Also called: | 'Peak' |
|---|---|
| Builder: | British Rail Derby |
| Years built: | 1959 - 1960 |
| Early numbers: | D1 - D10 |
| TOPS numbers: | 44001 - 44010 |
| Number built: | 10 |
| Engine: | Sulzer 12LDA28-A 12-cyl |
| Transmission: | Diesel-Electric |
| Wheel layout: | 1Co-Co1 |
| Wheel diameter: | 45 in (1,143 mm) |
| Minimum curve: | 5 chains (100 m) |
| Brakes: | Vacuum |
| Brake force: | 63 long tons (64.0 t) |
| Wheelbase: | 59 ft 8 in (18.2 m) |
| Length: | 67 ft 11 in (20.7 m) |
| Width: | 8 ft 10.5 in (2.7 m) |
| Height: | 12 ft 10 in (3.9 m) |
| Weight: | 133 long tons (135 t) |
| Maximum speed: | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Engine power: | 2,300 bhp (1720 kW) |
| Rail power: | 1,800 bhp (1340 kW) |
| Maximum TE: | 50,000 lbf (222 kN) |
| Heating type: | Steam |
| Multiple working: | Blue Star |
| Fuel capacity: | 840 imp gal (3,800 l) |
| Route availability: | 7 |
| Operators: | Peak Rail Midland Railway Centre |
The British Rail Class 44 or Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Railways' Derby Works between 1959 to 1960. They were named after British mountains, and consequently nicknamed Peaks.
[edit] Description
In part inspired by LMS prototypes 10000 and 10001, and by Southern Railway 10201-10203, the Class 44 diesels were some of the first big diesels commissioned for the British Rail modernisation project and were the precursors to the Class 45 and Class 46 locomotives modelled on this design. When initially put into service the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam heating boilers for passenger service. They worked regularly over the West Coast Main Line for a couple of years, also between St.Pancras and Manchester. Once the Class 45 units were available, with their higher running speed, the steam heating boilers were removed and the Class 44 locomotives were assigned to freight duties, largely in the East Midlands where they were all based at Toton.
[edit] Fleet details
| Numbers | Name | Withdrawn | Disposal details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-TOPS | TOPS | |||
| D1 | 44001 | Scafell Pike | 10/1976 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (02/1977) |
| D2 | 44002 | Helvellyn | 02/1979 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (10/1979) |
| D3 | 44003 | Skiddaw | 07/1976 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (08/1976) |
| D4 | 44004 | Great Gable | 11/1980 | Preserved at Midland Railway |
| D5 | 44005 | Cross Fell | 04/1978 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (11/1978) |
| D6 | 44006 | Whernside | 01/1977 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (02/1978) |
| D7 | 44007 | Ingleborough | 11/1980 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (11/1981) |
| D8 | 44008 | Penyghent | 11/1980 | Preserved at Peak Rail Matlock Derbyshire |
| D9 | 44009 | Snowdon | 03/1979 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1980) |
| D10 | 44010 | Tryfan | 05/1977 | Scrapped at BREL Derby Works (07/1978) |
[edit] Preservation
Two locomotives have survived to preservation.
| Number(s) (Current in bold) |
Name | Livery | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D4 | 44004 | Great Gable | BR Blue | Midland Railway Butterley |
| D8 | 44008 | Penyghent | BR Green | Peak Rail |
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