Class 24 (BR/Sulzer 1,160hp Type B(2) Diesel-Electric)
The Class 24 was part of the original wave of diesel locomotives built as part of the British Railways Modernisation Plan in the 1950s. The initial twenty were Type B (later Type 2) pilot-scheme locomotives and the design was sufficiently successful to gain a full production run of 151. The locomotive was further developed as the follow-on Class 25.
Preserved 5081 at Kidderminster Town
Information
Number built:
151
Built:
1958-61
Builder:
BR Darlington, Derby and Crewe
Motor:
Sulzer 6LDA28 diesel
Power:
1, 160 hp (865 kW)
Wheel arrangement:
Bo-Bo
The Class 24 saw service across the network but mainly on the London Midland and Eastern Regions handling lighter freights and passenger services, and double heading on heavier trains. One problem which the locomotives had was a lack of sufficient brake force on longer loosely coupled freights which meant that diesel brake tenders were required [1]. The locomotives also served on the Southern and Scottish Regions, the latter batch having tablet catchers on the cab side for use on the Far North Line.
Compared to other Type 2s such as the Class 26, which had the same engine, the Class 24 had a number of disadvantages. The engine room air intakes and louvres were awkwardly situated making maintenance difficult [2] and filtering inefficient, they also suffered from having draughty cabs due to the little used cab end doors.
Withdrawal of the Class 24s began in earnest in the 1970s with the last withdrawal from revenue earning service in 1980. A number remained in departmental use [3] until the last was withdrawn in 1987. Four have been preserved.
Another view of 5081
5081 (24 081) was the last loco to be withdrawn from revenue service in 1980
5081 at Kidderminster Town
5081 arrives at Arley
[1] Brian Haresnape, Early Prototype & Pilot-Scheme Diesel-Electrics (Ian Allan, 1981) p. 67
[2] Brian Haresnape, Production Diesel-Electrics Types 1-3 (Ian Allan, 1983) p. 33
[3] Colin J Marsden, Departmental Stock (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 106
