British Rail Class 42 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 42 “Warship”
British Rail Class 42 No. D832
Power type	Diesel-hydraulic
Builder	British Railways’ Swindon Works
Build date	1958–1961
Total production	38
Configuration	B-B
UIC classification	B'B'
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter	3 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.003 m)
Minimum curve	4.5 chains (91 m)
Wheelbase	48 ft 3 in (14.71 m)
Length	60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)
Width	8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
Height	12 ft 0+1⁄2 in (3.670 m)
Locomotive weight	78 long tons (79.3 t)
Fuel capacity	800 imp gal (3,600 L; 960 US gal)
Prime mover	Maybach MD650, 2 off
Transmission	Hydraulic
Multiple working	◆ White Diamond
Top speed	90 mph (145 km/h)
Power output	Engines: 1,000 hp (746 kW) × 2
Tractive effort	Maximum: 48,200 lbf (214 kN)
Train heating	Steam generator
Train brakes	Vacuum
Career	British Railways
Number	D800–D832, D866–D870
Axle load class	Route availability 7 (RA 6 from 1969)
Retired	1968–1972

British Railways' (BR) Type 4 "Warship" class diesel-hydraulic locomotives were introduced in 1958. It was apparent at that time that the largest centre of expertise on diesel-hydraulic locomotives was in Germany. The Western Region of British Railways (in view of post-World War II sensibilities) negotiated a licence with German manufacturers to scale down the German Federal Railway's "V200" design to suit the smaller loading gauge of the British network, and to allow British manufacturers to construct the new design. The resultant design bears a close resemblance both cosmetically and in the engineering employed. They were divided into two batches: examples built at BR's Swindon works were numbered in the series D800 to D832 and from D866 to D870, had a maximum tractive effort of 52,400 pounds force and are the British Rail Class 42 of this article. 33 others, D833-865, were constructed by the North British Locomotive Company and became British Rail Class 43. They were allocated to Bristol Bath Road, Plymouth Laira, Newton Abbot and Old Oak Common.

Images for kids

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  Deutsche Bundesbahn V 200 class of 1953, on which the "Warship" was based

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  D829 'Magpie' waits at Paddington in 1961

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  A "Warship" and a BR Class 5 4-6-0 at London Waterloo, 1967

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  By the end of 1972, all the Class 42s had been withdrawn from service. Here, D824 sits at Swindon Works, a couple of months before being scrapped.

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  D821, temporarily renamed Chris Broadhurst, at Kidderminster, Severn Valley Railway, April 2010

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  D818 Glory at Swindon Works in 1985, shortly before its destruction