British Rail Class 40 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids English Electric Type 4 British Rail Class 40
40145 at Carlisle on 27 August 2004, whilst working a charter train. This locomotive is the last remaining 'centre headcode' type Class 40.
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date	1958–1962
Total production	200
Configuration	1Co-Co1
UIC classification	(1Co)'(Co1)'
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter	Driving: 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) Idling: 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Minimum curve	4.5 chains (91 m)
Wheelbase	61 ft 3 in (18.67 m)
Length	69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Width	9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
Height	12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Locomotive weight	133 long tons (135 t)
Fuel capacity	710 imp gal (3,200 L; 850 US gal)
Prime mover	English Electric 16SVT MkII
Transmission	DC generator, DC traction motors
Multiple working	★ Blue Star
Top speed	90 mph (140 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 2,000 bhp (1,490 kW) At rail: 1,550 hp (1,160 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 52,000 lbf (231 kN)
Train heating	Steam generator
Locomotive brakeforce	51 long tons-force (508 kN)
Train brakes	Vacuum
Career	British Railways
Number	D200–D399, later 40001–40199
Axle load class	Route availability 6

The British Rail Class 40 is a type of British railway diesel locomotive. Built by English Electric between 1958 and 1962, and eventually numbering 200, they were for a time the pride of the British Rail early diesel fleet. Despite their initial success, by the time the last examples were entering service they were already being replaced on some top-link duties by more powerful locomotives. As they were slowly relegated from express passenger uses, the type found work on secondary passenger and freight services where they worked for many years, the final locomotives being retired from regular service in 1985.

Images for kids

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  One of the prototype locomotives, D205 on the GEML in 1963.

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  D263 with Merseyside Express at Crewe, in BR green with no warning panels, April 1960.

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  English Electric Class "40" 2,000 hp 1Co-Co1 No.40 125 (ex-D325) in a badly faded BR green with all yellow front ends, gangway doors and split headcode panels at Shrewsbury (General), 05/75. Scanned slide.

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  D213's Andania nameplate, preservation-era image

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  40013 (without nameplates) at Manchester Piccadilly

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  40175 and 40010 at Swindon in 1982 - both had been withdrawn the previous year

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  40122 numbered D200 with a farewell railtour, 1985

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  Departmental Class 40 No.97 407 at Manchester Victoria station in 1986. Note that the locomotive carries both its former numbers of 40 012 and (D)212.