Falcon was a prototype locomotive which, like the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company's
Lion, ultimately led to the
Class 47. The prototypes were produced for British Railways who had wanted a second generation Type 4 diesel locomotive which was lighter than the first generation locomotives like the
Class 45. Falcon was powered by a pair of high-speed Maybach MD655 diesel engines, which were used in the
Class 52, though with electric rather than hydraulic transmission in Falcon's case.
 |
| Falcon [4] |
| Information |
| Number built: |
1 |
| Built: |
1961 |
| Builder: |
Brush Traction |
| Motor: |
2 Maybach MD655 diesels |
| Power: |
2, 880 hp (2, 150 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: |
Co-Co |
Falcon began testing in late 1961, and continued being used for testing and development during the early 1960s. Falcon's external appearance was supervised by the external agency Wilkes & Ashmore [1] as was Lion, hence the external similarities though Falcon was painted in a much more sensible two-tone green livery than Lion's bizarre all-over white!
Although Falcon worked well in tests, advances in engine technology overtook it. BR was able to get the required power from a single unit in the following Class 47 with resulting cost and maintenance savings, BR having a preference for slow-speed diesel engines [2]. Falcon remained with BR however, usually working alongside the Class 52 fleet in BR's Western Region [3].
BR bought Falcon off of Brush in 1970, it was given the TOPS classification of Class 53 though did not carry TOPS numbers. Falcon continued in service until 1975 when it's non-standard nature resulted in it being considered uneconomic and it was withdrawn. Falcon was scrapped in 1976.
[1] David Lawrence, British Rail Designed 1948-97 (Ian Allan, 2016) p. 130
[2] Bruce Peter, The Changing Face of British Railways (Lily Publications, 2018) p. 95
[3] Colin J Marsden, Diesel & Locomotive Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 38
[4] "A study in diesels", Meccano Magazine (February 1964) p. 585
