The Class 27 was a development and follow-on class of Type 2 diesel-electrics from the pilot-scheme
Class 26 (which ironically outlasted the 27s). Compared to the earlier locos the Class 27s had a slightly uprated engine, different electrical equipment and an increased top speed [1]. The most notable visual difference was that the Class 27 had a headcode box above the cab. Originally the Class 27s were allocated to both Southern England and Scotland but later on the locomotives were concentrated in Scotland.
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D5410 at Kidderminster Town
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| Information |
| Number built: |
69 |
| Built: |
1961-62 |
| Builder: |
Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company |
| Engine: |
Sulzer 6LDA28B diesel |
| Power: |
1, 250 hp (932 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: |
Bo-Bo |
The original locomotives were the
27/0, two sub-classes were later modified for express services in Scotland. Some locomotives were modified for push-pull operations as the
27/1 and some with electric train heat as the
27/2. One of each top and tailed Edinburgh-Glasgow expresses in the 1970s [2] however their reliability suffered on these duties, a number of 27/2s catching fire.
By the end of the decade they had been replaced by
Class 47/7s [3]. The Class 27s were gradually withdrawn throughout the 1980s with the final withdrawals in 1987 however eight have been preserved.
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Another view of D5410
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| 27 001 at Tunbridge Wells West |
[1] Brian Haresnape, Production Diesel-Electrics Types 1-3 (Ian Allan, 1983) p. 40
[2] Chris Heaps, BR Diary 1968-1977 (Ian Allan, 1988) p. 45
[3] John Glover, BR Diary 1978-1985 (Ian Allan, 1985) p. 27
