 |
| Lion passing Tilehurst [4] |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 1 |
| Built: | 1962 |
| Builder: | Birmingham Railway Wagon & Carriage Company |
| Motor: | Sulzer 12LDA28-C diesel |
| Power: | 2, 750 hp (2, 050 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: | Co-Co |
Lion visually resembled one of the other prototypes, the Class 53 Falcon and the Class 35 Hymek thanks to design supervision from Wilkes & Ashmore. Lion was given a striking but rather impractical all-over white livery, even the underframe and bogies! Mechanically Lion was a development of the Peaks such as the Class 44 though with a twin-bank Sulzer engine and lower weight.
Lion's working life was short, being only used for about a year. Evaluation mostly took place in BR's Western and Eastern regions [2] and not without technical problems [3]. BR decided to award Brush Traction the contract for the Class 47. Lion itself was withdrawn in 1964 and broken up, though the engine was reused in a production Class 47.
[1] David Lawrence, British Rail Designed 1948-67 (Ian Allan, 2016) p. 139
[2] Colin J Marsden, Diesel & Electric Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 36
[3] Lawrence p. 141
[4] "A study in diesels", Meccano Magazine (February 1964) p. 585