British Diesels and Electrics: LMSR/English Electric 1,600hp Co-Co (Class D16/1)

These two locomotives (LMS 10000 and 10001) were the first main line diesel locomotives to be built in the UK and were the first of a long line of English Electric powered main line diesels to operate on British rails. The LMSR built the two locomotives following the Second World War intending them as a diesel equivalent of a "Black Five", a true mixed traffic locomotive that could also take on express passenger duties in multiple [1]. The first, 10000, was delivered and presented to the media in December 1947 [6], just before railway nationalisation and wore LMS black livery, 10001 was delivered as a British Railways locomotive.

10000 at London Euston [2]

Information
Number built:	2
Built:	1947-48
Builder:	LMS Derby
Motor:	English Electric 16SVT Mk 1 diesel
Power:	1, 600 hp (1, 190 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	Co-Co

The two locomotives, which were classified Class D16/1 by British Railways, made their initial runs on the Midland main line and later were transferred to Southern Region where they could be compared with the SR's own main line diesels. In their latter years they were classed as Type 3 locomotives and given the TOPS classification Class 34 though did not wear TOPS numbers before withdrawal in 1966 and 1968.

Although neither were preserved, there are well progressed efforts to produce a replica using a donor Class 58 as the chassis. Former Class 77 bogies (which were very similar to those used by the LMS locomotives) and a 16SVT Mk1 diesel have also been secured.