Lion

In the early 1960s British Railways issued a specification for a new Type 4 diesel locomotive, more powerful than earlier types [1]. A number of prototypes were built, privately funded by the manufacturers. The Birmingham Railway Wagon & Carriage Company, in partnership with Sulzer and AEI, built the rather striking prototype Lion. 

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 Lion itself was withdrawn in 1964 and broken up, though the engine was reused in a production Class 47.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