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British Rail Class 52 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 52
Power type Diesel-hydraulic
Builder British Railways’ Swindon and Crewe Works
Build date 1961–1964
Total production 74
Configuration C-C
UIC classification C'C'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m)
Minimum curve 4.5 chains (91 m)
Wheelbase 54 ft 8 in (16.66 m)
Length 68 ft 0 in (20.73 m)
Width 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Height 12 ft 11+3⁄4 in (3.96 m)
Locomotive weight 108 long tons (110 t)
Fuel capacity 850 imp gal (3,900 L; 1,020 US gal)
Prime mover Maybach MD655, 2 off
Transmission Hydraulic
Multiple working Not fitted
Top speed 90 mph (140 km/h)
Power output Engines: 1,350 bhp (1,007 kW) × 2
At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 66,700 lbf (297 kN)
Train heating Steam generator
Locomotive brakeforce 50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Train brakes Vacuum
Career British Railways
Number D1000–D1073
Nicknames ‘Westerns’
Axle load class Route availability 7
Retired 1973–1977

British Rail assigned Class 52 to the class of 74 large Type 4 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built for the Western Region of British Railways between 1961 and 1964. All were given two-word names, with the first word being Western, and thus the type became known as Westerns.


Images for kids

  • Seer Green station geograph-2400005-by-Ben-Brooksbank

    An early photo of D1005 Western Venturer in 1962.

  • D1015 Western Champion in Swindon Works

    D1015 Western Champion in Swindon Works

  • 1023 1z15 Paddington extra service at Exeter St Davids - geograph.org.uk - 734618

    D1023 Western Fusilier at Exeter St Davids with a train for the South West

  • NRM Class 52 1021 1073 nameplates

    Name and numberplates at the National Railway Museum

  • D1000-old oak common - 1964

    D1000 in Desert Sand livery, 1961

  • Class 52 D1005 Western Venturer, Paddington, 18 May 1976

    D1005 Western Venturer in BR blue.

  • Kentsford - D1010 climbing towards Washford

    D1010 on the West Somerset Railway

  • Minehead 1062 departure

    D1062 on the West Somerset Railway

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British Rail Class 52 Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.